MossRoad
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Yes, that's annoying as heck. Happens quite a bit in our travels.
So do I. There's nothing worse than somebody driving 1.5 mph faster than I am, taking miles to go by me.
To say nothing about getting run over by that guy who's in even more of a hurry.
MossRoad
Super Moderator
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We get this situation quite a bit in our travels.....
You set the cruise and off you go. Eventually you come up on another car. Common sense says you're probably going faster than that car, since you caught up to it, eh? So you pull out to pass it, and right when your right rear fender gets by their front left fender you somehow, magically, are going exactly the same speed. They'll sit next to you like that for a bit, then they'll either accelerate and pass you on the right, or all of a sudden quickly drop back....
Usually, if they sit there for more than 10 seconds, I'll just hit the gas, get ahead of them, signal and pull in then let off the gas to resume cruise. Most times that just ends it, but maybe 1 in 10 will then pull out and pass us and take off down the road. And almost to a T, we'll catch up to them again within 10 minutes.
You set the cruise and off you go. Eventually you come up on another car. Common sense says you're probably going faster than that car, since you caught up to it, eh? So you pull out to pass it, and right when your right rear fender gets by their front left fender you somehow, magically, are going exactly the same speed. They'll sit next to you like that for a bit, then they'll either accelerate and pass you on the right, or all of a sudden quickly drop back....
Usually, if they sit there for more than 10 seconds, I'll just hit the gas, get ahead of them, signal and pull in then let off the gas to resume cruise. Most times that just ends it, but maybe 1 in 10 will then pull out and pass us and take off down the road. And almost to a T, we'll catch up to them again within 10 minutes.
Renze
Super Member
Bothering other people by unnecessary staying in the left lane is rude and unsafe. I dont know about the States, but it gets you a 280 euro ticket here in Holland. In Germany its only 80 euro. Even when the other guy is speeding, the left lane dragger gets a ticket first.
In Germany, even with 120mph+ they flash their headlights behind you when they come up behind you with 150mph. How fast other people drive is none of your business.
paulsharvey
Super Member
Laws, norms, and even terms vary around the world; but on a 4 lane (or a 6 lane) all lanes are officially referred to as a "travel" lane. Not a passing lane, not a slow and fast; just plain travel lane. Now, there are some limited places a lane might be a "passing lane", there is a section of Sr40 running from Ocala to Daytona, though the Ocala national forest, its basically straightest, flat, 40 miles long, 60 mph, and 2 lanes for the most part. However, to avoid people making stupid choices, and killing others passing into oncoming traffic, they widened parts to 3 lanes, for about a mile. So, every few miles, the EB lanes eith go from 1 to 1 and a short, extra, passing lane; then couple miles down, it will be the WB lane with the extra, passing lane. Those lanes are really ment truly as a passing lane.
Turn lanes are classified as auxiliary lanes, with a lesser design standard, and then "double left, unprotected interior turn lane" which everyone calls a suicide lane. On and off ramps are also auxiliary lanes. They have lesser required clear zones, less required shoulders, ect.
There is not a law against passing in the right lane either, provided everything is safe
Turn lanes are classified as auxiliary lanes, with a lesser design standard, and then "double left, unprotected interior turn lane" which everyone calls a suicide lane. On and off ramps are also auxiliary lanes. They have lesser required clear zones, less required shoulders, ect.
There is not a law against passing in the right lane either, provided everything is safe
Years ago I was headed home after being away for a week. I was on a 2 lane highway and got behind about 5 cars doing 45, when the SL was 55. After a few miles we came to the only truck lane in 90 miles of road, and they all went up it on the left lane so I went by on the right. As I came up to the lead car he moved over and straddled the center of each.
He's doing 45, I'm doing 65; that's a recipe for disaster. There was a good line of sight and no traffic coming at us so I crossed into the other lane.
He's doing 45, I'm doing 65; that's a recipe for disaster. There was a good line of sight and no traffic coming at us so I crossed into the other lane.
Renze
Super Member
It is in all European countries.
paulsharvey
Super Member
It may be in some US states as well? People outside the US often forget we are basically 54 seperate countries, tied to a federal government.
Yes, 50 states; and many territories, but really, just 4 territories with people/roads (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Somoa).
Some states you can turn right on a red light after coming to a stop, and yielding to any traffic, Louisiana you can't. I have no doubt right lane passing is illegal in some cases, but not in Florida. It is illegal to "cruise" in the left lane, if there if you are holding up traffic, and not over taking vehicles. Now, it is not mandated you move over Right away; basically you see your holding up traffic, you arent passing, you move right when you can. Only time ive heard of it being enforced is A; your holding up a cops lunch plans or B; you intentionally ride side by side with the right lane to be a jerk, and Intentionally you act as the pace car
Now; as a funny note; the "Smith system defensive drive" class we had to take at work; recommends night time, 4 lane, low traffic high speed to cruise in the left lane, because of deer; and giving you the extra 12 ft of reaction
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700 DM ticket for passing on right in Germany, ca.1998. I did it!
Of course the speeds involved were substantially higher than anything you will ever see in any US state.
Exactly! Nearly all driving laws are state, and not federal, laws.
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paulsharvey
Super Member
Oh, dont know about some areas; but in FLa, they have added "express toll" lanes to some interstates; that are basically legal, paid, speeding. They generally give you atleast a 15-20 mph buffer over the speed limit, and there likely is a ticket able offese to using those at low speed? Of coarse, you would be actively paying to piss people off
