Left-lane slowpokes drive you crazy? (Some states are cracking down.)

MSN Money ^ | 12/10/2008 | Christopher Solomon

[Smogger]

In these days of longer commutes and simmering tempers, nothing seems to set off already-testy motorists like the left-lane camper -- the guy or gal who drives in the passing lane and bars faster drivers from easily passing. Web sites have cropped up to educate other drivers, or to vent. There's a (somewhat painful) YouTube song called "Keep Right."

Even bigwigs get frustrated. Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell, weary of having his limo slowed down by such left-lane pokies, ordered an aide to have the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission install signs a few years ago reading "Keep Right, Pass Left. It's the Law."

And now some states are cracking down on left-lane campers, both to keep traffic moving and to tamp down the road rage that goes from zero-to-60 faster than ever before.

That's not just a pretext. Last year, a driver was arrested on Interstate 79 outside Pittsburgh after allegedly brandishing a semiautomatic pistol at a driver who was on his tail.

[slnk_rules]

I am amazed at the self righteous twits who use their own status of compliance (usually buttressed with bible verses) as an excuse for their arrogance, rudeness, and general contempt for others by being a JERK and sitting in the left lane. It is common courtesy to pull over and let someone pass. Refusal to do so is obstreporous arrogance, I don’t care how many times you cite Romans 13 in defense of it.

[Lady Jag]

Wouldn’t it be a ticket magnet though?

You're not racing you are asking slowpokes to move over and therefore are doing a public service. How about "Please?"

[Hacksaw]

Which brings up one of my “pet peaves”. I honestly believe that most “agressive drivers” are safer than the law abiding “asleep at the wheel” people. I don’t know about other “agressive drivers” but when I am driving I am thinking about driving. I am thinking about escape routes. I am thinking about what boneheaded move the driver next to me might make. I am watching minute movements in the front tires of other cars, head movements, you name it.

It also makes me wonder if the legal driving age shouldn't have like a 4 year "junior" period. There is stuff I used to do that I would never do today - like driving through the middle of a parking lot, etc... that a lot of young kids just don't think about. There is a dirt connecting road near me that is used as a short cut - last winter I saw 4 teenagers standing on the road, with their 4WD pickup nose down in the stream below. They though 4WD means "immune to ice on turns".

[slnk_rules]

It is easier on a motorcycle of course because you need very little room to sidestep

You play chicken with a car while on a BIKE???? Wow. You are one crazy person. Life insurance viaticals were made for that kind of situation!

[LexBaird]

I have no idea where that is ... looks like a mountain pass.I count 19 lanes on the main road and 4 more on that "side street".

Judging from the tank on the left side, it is the Sepulveda Pass in Los Angeles, near the Getty museum. That said, I think it's photoshopped to add lanes.

[Atlas Sneezed]

by golly, yer right, I should encourage people to break the law whenever I can!!

---

Maybe you should focus on obeying lane-discipline laws, instead of being a road-nanny who is actually creating a more dangerous situation.

[RobRoy]

>>You play chicken with a car while on a BIKE???? Wow. You are one crazy person. Life insurance viaticals were made for that kind of situation!<<

No.

It only LOOKS LIKE I am playing chicken. Drivers do crazy things. I never trust them to do what they should.

I never went down, nor do I ever intend to. Most of motorcycle safety is as simple as paying attention and expecting the unexpected - and always have a way out.

[RobRoy]

I would like a separate “germany style” license required to be able to drive on the freeways, tollways, parkways, etc.

That would quickly separate the wheat from the chaff.

[RobRoy]

>>Given a dawdling driver and a bike’s acceleration, this is quite easy to do, although it may surprise the heck out of the driver.<<

Precisely. Some moves look MUCH more dangerous than they really are.

[E=MC2]

There is a guy on a Harley ..... That told me right there alot about that motorcyclist.

Reads ok like this for me.

[envisio]

oh boy...... here we go.

[Exit148]

If you knew Racebannon, you would NOT call him ‘grandpa’ -— and if you did, you would use the word “SIR”!! (And then you would duck)

[Exit148]

What gets me is when there is someone in the left lane, and he is NOT passing the ones in the center or right lanes. And if he is at speed limit or lower, then EVERYONE behind has to paintly wait for SOMEONE to speed up or slow down!

If I happen to be in the right lane and this happens, then I deliberately speed up or slow down to make way for the faster cars. (saint that I am)

And why, when we pass a slow poke, do we always look over to see what kind of driver it is??

[TwoSue]

I was stopped by a state trooper for passing him (he was doing 55) going a little bit faster. He told me passing over the speed limit is against the law.

[Tony in Hawaii]

And why, when we pass a slow poke, do we always look over to see what kind of driver it is??

In my case, it's because I need a laugh.

[x]

It’s largely because we have so many left lane exits.

Exactly right.

[E=MC2]

I was stopped by a state trooper for passing him (he was doing 55) going a little bit faster.

Any cop going the speed limit is trolling for easy marks.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Yes, it is nice when someone is willing to pull aside so you can pass by - and the wave is a nice touch, isn’t it?

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

There is a big difference in city traffic and rural traffic though. Cities have more industry so you are more likely to have folks from outside of Texas living there.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Isn’t that what cattle guards are for? ;^)