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The left lane

I did a 7,500 mile trip in my camper last year. The drivers in the upper mid-west were the BEST in staying in the right lane. Most states had signs when you came into the state telling you there is a fine for staying in the left lane. This sign was followed by a sign telling you there is a fine for not moving over for emergency vehicles on the side of the road. CA has some of the rudest drivers in the USA. I-5 south you can only pass on the right.


Bill in STockton

7500 mile trip report.
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/5387/page__p__60107__fromsearch__1&#entry60107
 
bikeama said:
I did a 7,500 mile trip in my camper last year. The drivers in the upper mid-west were the BEST in staying in the right lane. Most states had signs when you came into the state telling you there is a fine for staying in the left lane. This sign was followed by a sign telling you there is a fine for not moving over for emergency vehicles on the side of the road. CA has some of the rudest drivers in the USA. I-5 south you can only pass on the right.


Bill in STockton

7500 mile trip report.
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/5387/page__p__60107__fromsearch__1&#entry60107
Click to expand...

Wow, this thread got bumped?

Anyway, yeah there are places where it is followed much more regularly. Places where there are lots of two lane highways and truck routes seem to get it a lot better. In my experience around metro areas it seems to break down. I don't mean in a city but surrounding suburbs commute routes etc.
 
was headed north on the i-5...a minivan was on the left going about 75 mph to 80 mph (70 mph speed limit)...i'm behind it and a lexus behind me....the problem?....it was going the exact same speed at the big truck next to the minivan (2 lane highway)...after about 5 miles of this....the lexus behind me decides to go around me get behind the minivan....he starts to honk, high beam and tailgate the minivan...as he is doing this we pass a chp car...chp car flashes red and goes around me and pulls the lexus over....wonder if he got a ticket...
 
InNoHurry said:
But then, why do motorcyclists enter the freeways and automatically go to the left?
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Motorcyclists ONLY? :hand
you must be blind.
Going "all-the-way-to-the-left" is a nuevo-u-american tradition, and it's observed in all sorts of cars from Saturns to BMWs from ladies going to work to young males. Enter the freeway-->automatically go there.

Motorcyclists only do it because all of their brothers and sisters mentioned above do it; that and because flying hun advised them so.
 
This is the reason why I have a beater car that I drive 90% of the time. I feel that its my mission in life to educate left lane campers. I also have a motorcycle too so I know. When I'm coming up on a camper, I will give it plenty of opportunity to know that they are going too slow and they should move over. Of course 99% of the time they don't so thats when I have to give them a class on the highway. I will either pass them in the right lane when the opportunity exists but we all know the MO for these guys. They will speed up to the next car and pace it so you won't be able to pass. Which is fine by me cuz i'll swerve to the shoulder and pass them that way. Once I pass, I get ahead about half a car length, I just swerve over w/o notice, which forces them to slam on their brakes and/or swerve into the right lane. Then they get pissed off and speed up and try to ride my bumper (this is where it gets fun), I just slam on my brakes as hard as I can, then speed back up. They make the funniest faces cuz they go from the raging mad face to the OH CRAP!! I'm gonna smash into the car look. Its usually at this point that they get the point that they were being an asshole by holding up traffic and they slow way down and move all the way over to the right lane. I always get honks and thumbs up from other motorists that finally can pass.
 
sfrepsol said:
This is the reason why I have a beater car that I drive 90% of the time. I feel that its my mission in life to educate left lane campers. I also have a motorcycle too so I know. When I'm coming up on a camper, I will give it plenty of opportunity to know that they are going too slow and they should move over. Of course 99% of the time they don't so thats when I have to give them a class on the highway. I will either pass them in the right lane when the opportunity exists but we all know the MO for these guys. They will speed up to the next car and pace it so you won't be able to pass. Which is fine by me cuz i'll swerve to the shoulder and pass them that way. Once I pass, I get ahead about half a car length, I just swerve over w/o notice, which forces them to slam on their brakes and/or swerve into the right lane. Then they get pissed off and speed up and try to ride my bumper (this is where it gets fun), I just slam on my brakes as hard as I can, then speed back up. They make the funniest faces cuz they go from the raging mad face to the OH CRAP!! I'm gonna smash into the car look. Its usually at this point that they get the point that they were being an asshole by holding up traffic and they slow way down and move all the way over to the right lane. I always get honks and thumbs up from other motorists that finally can pass.
Click to expand...

While I totally appreciate the sentiment behind this, you're not the cops, you're not a vigilante, and doing that is dangerous. What if they slam into you when you hit the brakes? What if your actions cause a multi-car accident?

Just because you do not value your car or safety does not give you the justification to put others at risk.
 
sfrepsol said:
This is the reason why I have a beater car that I drive 90% of the time. I feel that its my mission in life to educate left lane campers. I also have a motorcycle too so I know. When I'm coming up on a camper, I will give it plenty of opportunity to know that they are going too slow and they should move over. Of course 99% of the time they don't so thats when I have to give them a class on the highway. I will either pass them in the right lane when the opportunity exists but we all know the MO for these guys. They will speed up to the next car and pace it so you won't be able to pass. Which is fine by me cuz i'll swerve to the shoulder and pass them that way. Once I pass, I get ahead about half a car length, I just swerve over w/o notice, which forces them to slam on their brakes and/or swerve into the right lane. Then they get pissed off and speed up and try to ride my bumper (this is where it gets fun), I just slam on my brakes as hard as I can, then speed back up. They make the funniest faces cuz they go from the raging mad face to the OH CRAP!! I'm gonna smash into the car look. Its usually at this point that they get the point that they were being an asshole by holding up traffic and they slow way down and move all the way over to the right lane. I always get honks and thumbs up from other motorists that finally can pass.
Click to expand...

I got a good little giggle out of this post! :thumbup

And, a fair warning to all:

If you see a dude driving a clapped out black minivan with a big dent on the rear in Raleigh NC, and you have good insurance, PLEEZE tailgait that minivan.

Thank you. :laughing
 
Brown81 said:
I got a good little giggle out of this post! :thumbup

And, a fair warning to all:

If you see a dude driving a clapped out black minivan with a big dent on the rear in Raleigh NC, and you have good insurance, PLEEZE tailgait that minivan.

Thank you. :laughing
Click to expand...

:laughing ... "and I'll do it again too."
 
sfrepsol said:
This is the reason why I have a beater car that I drive 90% of the time. I feel that its my mission in life to educate left lane campers. I also have a motorcycle too so I know. When I'm coming up on a camper, I will give it plenty of opportunity to know that they are going too slow and they should move over. Of course 99% of the time they don't so thats when I have to give them a class on the highway. I will either pass them in the right lane when the opportunity exists but we all know the MO for these guys. They will speed up to the next car and pace it so you won't be able to pass. Which is fine by me cuz i'll swerve to the shoulder and pass them that way. Once I pass, I get ahead about half a car length, I just swerve over w/o notice, which forces them to slam on their brakes and/or swerve into the right lane. Then they get pissed off and speed up and try to ride my bumper (this is where it gets fun), I just slam on my brakes as hard as I can, then speed back up. They make the funniest faces cuz they go from the raging mad face to the OH CRAP!! I'm gonna smash into the car look. Its usually at this point that they get the point that they were being an asshole by holding up traffic and they slow way down and move all the way over to the right lane. I always get honks and thumbs up from other motorists that finally can pass.
Click to expand...

Wait, I don't understand. Who is the asshole in this story?
 
planegray said:
Dan;

Slow Lane; it's the new Fast lane. Learn it, live it, love it :x
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Ha +1 THIS :thumbup

In my car, on most freeways I genreally cruise the "slow" lane as its the one with almost no traffic in it.

I learned the technique by watching the CHP do it to "sneak up on speeders" :p :laughing
 
This needs to be on the Prius forum.. the soccer mom forum...the VW forum etc...and the DMV website. Do it Dan and see how long you last. :teeth


revnort said:
This topic comes up every now and again on the forums. It amazes me how many people do not follow the very simple rules about the left lane both from posts and real life experience. It is a real pet peeve of mine.

Traffic would be so much better if people did this consistently on any multi-lane highway. It is dangerous and selfish to make people pass you on the right. Quit it.

  • If you are in the left lane and a faster car is coming up behind you, move to the right if there is room. It doesn't matter how fast you are going. Just do it.
  • Look for cars, bikes trucks or whatever who may be approaching from behind.
  • The best rule is just use the left lane for passing and don't hang out there.

Here are some visual aids for further clarification.

(God I wish they did this in CA)
[youtube]tIA2pueFMh4[/youtube]

Iwanttos.jpeg


OK :mad /rant.
Click to expand...
 
Maybe its the road rage in me but when I am doing 75 in the left lane and some asshat goes right behind me and tailgates and flashes their lights at me, the last thing I wanna do is move over for them. Especially when there are several lanes wide open next to me.


Yup, roadrage lol.
 
redwood650 said:
Maybe its the road rage in me but when I am doing 75 in the left lane and some asshat goes right behind me and tailgates and flashes their lights at me, the last thing I wanna do is move over for them. Especially when there are several lanes wide open next to me.


Yup, roadrage lol.
Click to expand...

Why are you in the left lane to begin with if there are other open lanes next to you? :)
 
redwood650 said:
Maybe its the road rage in me but when I am doing 75 in the left lane and some asshat goes right behind me and tailgates and flashes their lights at me, the last thing I wanna do is move over for them. Especially when there are several lanes wide open next to me.


Yup, roadrage lol.
Click to expand...

I used to have the same feeling until I learned that it's people like "us" (those who don't yield) who hold up traffic for MILES.

I realized I was wrong, and the sooner you realize you're wrong, the sooner everyone gets home faster. By staying in one place, you're holding up faster traffic. If you're not a cop, giving them a speeding ticket and/or enforcing traffic laws is simply not your concern.
 
redwood650 said:
Maybe its the road rage in me but when I am doing 75 in the left lane and some asshat goes right behind me and tailgates and flashes their lights at me, the last thing I wanna do is move over for them. Especially when there are several lanes wide open next to me.


Yup, roadrage lol.
Click to expand...

The point is they should not have been able to tailgate because you should have moved over before they even got there. Drive in the left lane if you want, but gtfo well before a faster vehicle even gets near you.
 
redwood650 said:
Maybe its the road rage in me but when I am doing 75 in the left lane and some asshat goes right behind me and tailgates and flashes their lights at me, the last thing I wanna do is move over for them. Especially when there are several lanes wide open next to me.


Yup, roadrage lol.
Click to expand...

It's not the road rage in you, I'd say its your ego.
 
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