This is a very serious problem on all interstates. It's also evident on four-lane state roads. Folks get in that left-lane and think that, as long as they are going the speed limit or just above it, everyone else be damned. That's what's causing this plague of people passing on the right, which is much more dangerous than using the "passing" lane on the left.
How did this come to pass? This plague of left-lane bandits?
Thoughts?
Poster #19 has the correct answer. If they stay in the middle lane people are constantly getting right in front of them while there are people behind them. If they are in the far right lane they have to worry aboutpeople entering and exiting the freeway. So they feel safe in the far left lane. They dont worry about you getting on their bumper and if you pass them and cut over they can just tap the brakes and they once again have a clear road in front of them.
Actually there is a reason the passing lane died.
It relates to the revenue natture of citations and the fact that judges had a no excuse attitude to going over the speedlimit in the 70's.
Thus a person who passed a swerving car by going over 55 was cited regardless.
The reasoning of the safety nazis and the nany state was that if you were going the speed limit you had no reason to pass.
The reason no speed limit works for the autoban in German is that the left is only for passing and you don't get cited for passing.
In this country we would have to allow a faster rate of travel in the far left lane. This will not pass muster because it would impact the revenues of the state and many highway patrols would have less to do.
(if anyone has interest "Why Johnny Can't Speed." by Lester Del Rey, is an interesting read for fun.)
Maybe it came about by some people not respecting the traffic laws or feel that the laws only apply to others.
I exceed the posted speed limit on many occasions, but I never deride drivers who are obeying the limit. I figure since it is their license at stake and their money that will pay the fines, I have no right to expect them to violate the law.