Driving in the left lane

[Minimalist]

If you gum up the works by going slower than the flow of traffic, you're just as dangerous at the guy who is mega-speeding.

How does "people driving slower" equal "dangerous"?

When people shoot at you stray rounds can hit innocent motorists.

[KichigaiNeko]

If you gum up the works by going slower than the flow of traffic, you're just as dangerous at the guy who is mega-speeding.

Which might account for all those deaths at under the "speed limit"

Perth drivers are notorious for their incapacity to judge speed and merge with the flow of traffic.

[SkyMutt]

How does "people driving slower" equal "dangerous"?

This has been known for decades, and is shown graphically in the "Solomon Curve."



As can be seen, driving 10 mph slower than the "mean operating speed" is actually more dangerous than driving 10 mph faster. Though there have been some dissenting studies (the main one flattened the curve somewhat) the Solomon Curve has been for the most part confirmed by subsequent research.

Wikipedia | Solomon Curve

[Cato]

From wiki:

Common practice and most law on United States Highways is that the left lane is reserved for passing and faster moving traffic, and that traffic using the left lane must yield to traffic wishing to overtake. The United States Uniform Vehicle Code states:

Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic ...

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's website on "Keep Right Laws" points out that:

This law refers to the "normal" speed of traffic, not the "legal" speed of traffic. The 60 MPH driver in a 55 MPH zone where everybody else is going 65 MPH must move right...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passing_lane

In other words, unless you are passing another vehicle place your tortoise paced ass in the right lane.

[Jackalope]

I never speed. Not even by 1 mph above. So perhaps I'm biased....

Seems like everyone complains about "slow" drivers in the left lane. What is a "slow" driver? Well it's apparently people who drive the speed limit or less. I can see getting mad at a granny going 30 in a 50 mph zone but getting mad at people going the speed limit in the left lane? What?

If I'm in the left lane going the speed limit and I'm blocking you from going above the speed limit (i.e. speeding) then I'm not the problem, you're the problem.

In my state, if you're in the left lane on a highway with more than two lanes, and not actively passing slower traffic, you're breaking the law.

[Something completely different]

I am a scared driver! I always drive between 10km\h and 20km\h below the speed limit. I always concentrate completly on the road and sometimes even get realy fucking angry if people talk to me while I`m driving.

Might sound annoying, but german (French, Austrian, Polish, Italian) traffic is notorious for being filled with drunk drivers, speeding idiots and people focusing their attention on everything except for the road whilest driving.

[KichigaiNeko]

I am a scared driver! I always drive between 10km\h and 20km\h below the speed limit. I always concentrate completly on the road and sometimes even get realy fucking angry if people talk to me while I`m driving.

Might sound annoying, but german (French, Austrian, Polish, Italian) traffic is notorious for being filled with drunk drivers, speeding idiots and people focusing their attention on everything except for the road whilest driving.

Welcome to Perth traffic TGAC

[Annik]

Yeah, where I grew up, you drove 90 MPH or you got squished. It was quite a surprise to move away to college and find everyone drives under the speed limit. Lol

[Something completely different]

Also, just for letting of steam. For me there is nothing what is as dispicabel and disgusting as drunk driving.

And there seems to be a trend here to simply defy the law and simply do it.

[KrisBlueNZ]

If I'm in the left lane going the speed limit and I'm blocking you from going above the speed limit (i.e. speeding) then I'm not the problem, you're the problem.

(Hi all, I'm new here.)

I think that anyone who increases the likelihood of an accident is "the problem". If you drive in the outside lane (also called the "passing lane", and for a reason) at the same speed as vehicles in the other lane, and thereby prevent other drivers from passing, even if they want to exceed the speed limit, then you are causing frustration, which can lead to accidents.

The fact that you were obeying the speed limit SHOULD be of little consolation to you if your behaviour is part of the reason someone tries a risky manoeuvre and causes an accident.

BTW I love Earl Grey too.