Left Lane Bandits

On a recent trip, one of the things that struck me, was that so many people still don't understand lane discipline.

Let's go over the rules and see how many you really obey.

1. Keep right except to pass - that is always drilled into people; however, there is more to understand than meets the eye. This came into fruition when most highways were 2 lane. On most "parkways"of 2 lanes of traffic in a single direction, this still holds through with some exceptions.
a. If approaching an on or off ramp, if there is no traffic in the left lane, then it is better to give room to people getting on or off the parkway. Just remember to get back in the right lane when it is safe to do so.
b. A new law in many states makes it mandatory to move over a lane when a police or other emergency vehicle (fire, tow truck, etc.) is off the road but next to the highway. This is to give a buffer zone of safety to the emergency personnel.

Now on a 3 lane divided highway, the left lane is the "passing" lane, the middle is the "travel" lane, and the right lane is for people exiting or entering, or for slow traffic. The worst thing you can do is to match your speed to another car in any other lane. This does not give anyone a chance to pass and also cuts down on your options in case you have to make an emergency manuever.

The worst thing you can do is to sit in the left lane, even if you are going faster than the speed limit. THis forces cars to pass you on the right, not a very safe move. That and you tick off people so you end up possibly cuasing more accidents than you think you are preventing by slowing others down.

2. You can ONLY pass on the left. In most states, on a 2 or more lane divided highway, you can pass on the right if you do not cut in and out of lanes. So if you see a left lane bandit, you can first flash your lights to wake him up (he may not see you coming up on him) and if no response - signal, move into the other lane, and carefully pass him and if no traffic - stay in the right lane.

Remember - signal BEFORE you switch lanes - at least 3 seconds to warn other drivers. Check your mirrors AND your blind spot, before changing lanes.