So the lane is supposed to be empty except for passing?
Yes; it is called a “passing lane”. Except for traffic jams, it is empty when a highway is functioning as designed. Upstate NY is a great place (or was) to watch roads function as designed; I assume Social Darwinism was removing bad drivers each winter.
“So the lane is supposed to be empty except for passing?”
No.
NJ Law = Keep right EXCEPT to pass.
I seriously doubt if 25% of people know this is the case.
So the lane is supposed to be empty except for passing?
I hate that aspect because in many states that lane is smooth as puddin’, but the other lane(s) are very rough. I’ll hang out there until a car comes up behind me. Then I’ll pull over and let them by.
They followed this rule scrupulously in Portugal, and it worked great!
It's already stressful driving through South Carolina. The traffic cops are very efficient about the upper speed limit. Now they're going to apply that efficiency to driving too slowly also?
Exactly. It makes no sense to stay out of the left lane except for passing. The intent of this law is good, but in practice it doesn’t work.
It is not a fast lane.
It is a passing lane.
If you are not passing traffic, you have no business being there.
50 years ago I went through drivers training.
It was taught then.
It is still in effect now.
If traffic is somewhat dense, the left lane will be continuously filled with people who are overtaking those in the next lane to the right. The different lanes aren’t supposed to be all traveling at the same speed, there’s supposed to be shear, with the left lane moving the fastest, the next lane to the right moving more slowly, and any subsequent lanes to the right moving more slowly still. That’s why the left lane is sometimes called the “fast lane”.
No, but it should not have a Subaru with a Coexist sticker going 55mph either.
Yes. We’ve had a similar law here in Washington state for as long as I can remember. It is universally ignored and it does absolutely nothing to affect traffic patterns.
Hey, I’m always passing. Just looking for the next car to pass.
The only ones I want ticketed are the ones who drive in the left lane next to a truck on the right and maintain that rolling roadblock for miles. Some demographics harder hit.
Mostly this is written to get people from parking in the fast lane and blocking traffic flow.
Worst one I ever got in was in CO.
A Toyota Prius was sitting in the fast lane driving 60mph in a 75 pacing two trucks in the next two lanes.
The backup was 2 miles long.
Actually, yes.
A law like this in Utah would require every policeman in the State to be involved in enforcing it. They would have time for nothing else.
Obviously you’re one who stays out there since you’re question radiates disapproval... Its friggin simple... If you have no one in front of you and you look in your rearview and there are cars behind you, you are a moron... Plain as the friggin day...
Yeah, that’s why it’s called “the passing lane”.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes
> So the lane is supposed to be empty except for passing?
Nah, just get out of the way expeditiously.