If I'm Coming Up Behind You In The Fast Lane On The Highway, Why Don't You Move Out Of The Way?

Question

Just took a long road trip and I want to ask why do you remain in the fast lane on the highway if you have a group of cars coming up much faster behind you? I would like an explanation why you insist on driving slower than the rest of the drivers and why you think it's ok to block the lane..

Top answer goes to the person that can justify why it's ok. I personally think you're putting lives in danger by blocking as now smooth flowing traffic has to slow down..

Answer 1

First of all there is no legal description of what the left lane is called with the exception of the "passing lane". It is not called the "fast lane".   Many drivers still believe that the left lane is ok to speed on, but in fact, there is only one speed limit for all lanes.  You are correct in that drivers should go back to the right lane "after" safely passing drivers.  We will ticket you for not going back into the right lane after assured clear distance.  

We recently clocked a car driving in excess of 95 MPH in a 55 MPh zone, by the time we got up to the car, they had crashed and killed a family of four.  81% of all speeding tickets are done for those in the left lane.

Officer Romano

Highway Patrol

Answer 2

Ughhhhh... that's one of my biggest pet peeves too!  I don't think the idiots know any better...

Answer 3

As long as you're doing the speed limit AND passing cars you have every right to be in the passing lane but you should pull over when done passing.

Answer 4

The first axiom of driving fast is - there will ALWAYS be someone going slower in front of you...Especially on a 2-lane highway...Your benchmark is 90+ mph, what is the posted speed limit?...If a slower moving vehicle is in the left lane, that vehicle may be passing a slower vehicle in the right lane, such as a semi-truck...This is the bane of 2-lane highways, especially in rural areas, like the I-5 in the San Joaquin Valley of CA or I-20 either way out of Atlanta...There is not enough traffic to justify the expense of putting in a 3rd lane, so we're stuck with 2...If you feel that the road is yours because you can blast past everyone else who does not have the same attitude or vehicle performance as you, I hope you have your affairs in order...Mr Highway Patrol will be along shortly to scrape up what's left of you with a spoon.

Answer 5

I have to agree with you. People should learn what the fast lane is for. Some people think they own the road and can drive however slow they want where ever they want. Others think they are doing the world a favor by slowing down traffic and making the world a safer place. They don't care if your late for a meeting or trying to get to the hospital cause your Grandpa had a heart attack.

MOVE OUT OF THE WAY PEOPLE!!!!

Answer 6

You have to ask yourself if you would move out of the way, sounds like someone would have to break the sound barrier to get past you LOL

Answer 7

It's actually called the "passing" lane, versus the "fast" lane. If you aren't passing, you shouldn't be in it. Some people can't seem to get that through their heads.

I do tend to obey the speed limit (well, w/in 5 mph anyway). Three reasons: 1) I had a ticket last year and can't afford another anytime soon; 2) slower speeds save gas; 3) I'd like to avoid getting managled in a car accident, especially when I'm driving my sports car. HOWEVER, I am not one of those left-lane-laggers. The people who hang in the left create a dangerous situation for all of us, and are just as guilty of causing road rage as som aggressive drivers.

Gee, looks like you are mostly getting responses that agree with your position.

Answer 8

They think that because they are doing the speed limit that no one should be able to pass them.  I am not sure if deep down they want the power of being the police or if they just don't want other people to have fun, if they themselves can't have any.  We have all at one time met one of the two examples on the playground when we were in grade school.  Those little twits grow up to be the clods that will not move out of the way.  You have every right to be frustrated.

The truth of the matter is that by law, they are supposed to get out of your way, even though they are doing the speed limit and you are speeding (- state trooper on radio talk show ).

Answer 9

You routinely drive 90MPH and have the nerve to say the slow pokes (obeying the speed limit law) are DANGEROUS...........

Enough said.....

Answer 10

There is no such thing being  that the left is a fast lane, its more refered to as the ticket lane.some states has it as a passing lane ,but complaining that people are going too slow, by them doing the speed limit is irresponcible.Driving 90 mph is considered reckless.Driving is a previlige not a right, Me personally if im doing the speed limit and see someone driving exsessivly like that, 9 times out of 10 im not moving out of the way.If your being inconsiderate like that, i give it right back.If you think what your are doing is okay and theres nothing wrong with that, i would retake drivers ed if i were you.

Answer 11

If the slower lane also has cars, as you say, then just where are these drivers supposed to move to? Suppose the speed limit is 65. I am in the left lane doing 70-75 so as to PASS those cars in the right lane doing 65. So long as I didn't cut you off (pull out right in front of you), you have no legit gripe. Weren't you aware way back the road that you were approaching traffic moving more slowly than you? You need to moderate your own speed so that you aren't zooming up behind other drivers. You need wait patiently for those ahead of you to complete their pass and move back to the right lane. The polite way to tell people you'd like to pass is to blink your headlights in thier rear view mirror. If you're tailgating and otherwise being a jerk, people may slow down deliberately just to spite you.

Answer 12

If ya ain't passing, get out'ta the PASSING LANE.