General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why you shouldn't drive slowly in the left lane - Vox (Finally! this is one of my pet peeves!) [View all]Martin Eden
(12,862 posts)That's a different matter. Obviously, if you will have to turn left ahead you need to be in the left lane far enough in advance so you don't get blocked from making the turn. And, as I explained before, in heavy traffic with all lanes crowded, traffic in the faster lane is continuously in the process of passing slower traffic. Therefore, the KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS rule doesn't come into play (except, as I explained, if you are not keeping up with the traffic in front of you and other motorists are attempting a dangerous maneuver to pass you on the right).
I appreciate your lengthy explanation to clarify your position with specific examples.
Let me clarify:
The intent of KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS is to promote efficient, predictable, traffic patterns and safety. In 2 or 3 (or more) lane highways, slower traffic should be to the right to avoid the dangerous maneuver of faster traffic attempting to pass on the right.
There are many different kinds of roads and traffic conditions. Drivers must always use their judgement to employ a driving strategy that makes the most sense for safety. If you have to turn left ahead or there is heavy traffic, I don't think anyone expects all vehicles going the same speed to crowd into the right lane, leaving the left mostly vacant. That's not what this topic is about.
You noted some unsafe drivers you've encountered in the US. Some are reckless or over-agressive; some are inattentive; and some are just plain clueless. The high number of posts in a non-political thread like this indicates that most people here have encountered those kind of drivers and are motivated to educate fellow DUers on a driving "rule" that far too many ignore or don't understand. Not all intelligent people are necessarily smart drivers. Some prefer to stay in the left lane so they don't have to change lanes to pass or to deal with merging traffic from the right. Others feel that going 5mph over the limit classifies them as "fast" traffic and entitles them to the left lane even though faster vehicles frequently maneuver to pass them on the right.
From what you've written, I no longer get the impression you are one of those drivers.
I wish you safe motoring and a Happy New Year.