Washington state drivers passing on the right?

Question

I've driven in almost every state in the continental US and in BC, and, for the most part, everybody respects the "slower drivers keep left; pass on the right" rule. Except for Washington state. I drive from Portland to Seattle once or twice a month, and to other places in Washington maybe 6 times a year, and I've noticed two things:

1. Some people drive slower than average in the left lane, without regard to the chain of frustrated drivers behind them or the big wide open empty lane to their right, forcing everybody to pass them on the right.

2. People drive in the middle lane, and others pass them on the right, even when the left lane is empty.

So, Washington drivers, my question is this: Does WA not recognize the left lane passing rule or is everybody just rude? Really. I see this over and over again every single trip. If it was an occasional thing I'd get over it, but it's every single time I'm on I-5! Or any other WA interstate or major highway! What's up???

Answer 1

You just have occasion to notice it in Washington more than other locations.    There are stupid people driving everywhere,   both those that can't stay right,   and those impatient ones who pass there.

Answer 2

I too see this behavior frequently on WA interstates.

There seems to be a lot of self righteous passive aggressive drivers in Washington State. They are going to show you what the speed limit is regardless of whether or not it ties up traffic. So they drive the limit in the left lane just to prove how right they are.

I think its a combination of rudeness and not wanting to be "inconvenienced" by having to slow down for merging traffic in the right lane.

Answer 3

On a two lane Freeway, many slow Washington State Drivers keep to the left to avoid the cars entering the Freeway from the right.  Consequently the impatient ones overtake on the right.

Answer 4

I know I-5 SO well.  And I totally agree that the drivers who want to go slower should stay to the right - and those that want to pass should stay in the right.

HOWEVER, I have seen this same thing in almost all eastern metropolitan areas that I've lived - Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York, etc.

For my part - yes, I stay in the left until I want to pass.  If I'm going moderately fast then I stay in the middle lanes.  And I always, always take advantage of the HOV lanes when I can.

Answer 5

Yes Washington state has a lot of people who enjoy making people mad or want to make a political statement or something by doing this.  Your not alone What I do is pass the car when I can; let them catch up pop my sunroof open and push a button above my head that lights up all my system check lights.  Usually they notice this and probabbly think I have some sort of Bond gaget that will fire at them. It works they slow down and change lanes.  When I am in one of my pickups I pass the car slide open the rear window fast and throw my arm out the window as if I am tossing something out.  I have had a few people slam on the brakes on that one.  

I was with a EX friend who was driving behind driver in naturally a Toyota Pruis going slow acting in a way that they were doing it on purpose he passed the car and slammed on the brakes the driver behind thought just changing lanes to a clear lane was the answer but the ex freind just made the car go over too.  The slow drivers car died air bags went off and he pulled over so did my friend he backed up to the slow drivers car got out quickly I stayed in the car watching as much as i could with the rear view mirrors.  I can't swear I saw my EX friend punch him in the face.  When the cops came the trooper ended up giving the Prius driver some tickets not quite shure what kind but I saw 2 of them.  The trooper asked me what happend I told him what I said here and since I could not swear I saw my EX friend punch him nor did I see this car that my EX friend said cut him off.   Nothing happened to my EX friend but he did get a lot of money from the other guys insurance company way more then he needed to fix the truck and I got some money too.  The guy who hit us was a skinny 5 foot nothing had on the typical Washington state nerd small square glasses, Berk shoes ECT.  

One thing you can do is call 911 and report a driver that is holding up more than 7 cars.  EVEN though the slow driver is going the speed limit the driver is breaking the law.

Answer 6

They must be bad drivers because I found the ten worst states where people dont understand the rules of the road...............................

1. Oregon 90.6

2. Washington 88.2

3. Vermont 87.5

4. Idaho 87.3 (Tie)

4. South Dakota 87.3 (Tie)

6. Montana 87.2

7. Nebraska 87.0

8. Kansas 86.8

9. Iowa 86.7

10. Wyoming 86.2