When I took Driver's Ed all those years ago, my instructor, Gordon, drilled into our young minds that the left lane of the highway was for PASSING ONLY. Much to my chagrin, it seems as though Gordon was among the few who included this gem of a lesson in the Driver's Ed curriculum. If I had a nickel for every time I was stuck behind some irritating driver going the speed limit (or lower) in the passing lane, well...I'd have enough to pay off my law school loans.
It's such a simple concept: If you are going the speed limit (or lower), then travel in the right-hand lane. If you are going faster than the flow of that lane, then move over to the left lane. When it seems as though you are no longer going faster than the flow of traffic (and pay attention...here's the key to the whole concept), GET BACK IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE. This way, those who wish to go faster than you are able to. Very, very simple. So if it's so simple, then why am I constantly being stuck behind slow drivers in the left lane? Why do drivers who are going the exact same speed (or slower) than the cars in the right-hand lane feel the need to drive on the left and effectively shut down the fast lane?
Not only is unnecessary driving in the passing lane extremely rude and frustrating, it is very unsafe. Besides inciting road rage, these drivers force people who do not wish to drive 60 mph in a 55 mph zone to pass on the right, or to weave in and out of traffic to get around the slow drivers. This could all be easily avoided if people treated the left lane as it should be treated: as the PASSING, not the traveling lane. Did these drivers not have a Gordon in their lives to explain this basic, yet highly effective practice?
It is especially irritating when you are on a long road trip and you've been happily cruising at 75-80, when bam--you're forced down to 60 by some jerk in the left lane going EXACTLY the same speed as the drivers in the right lane. They don't move over, you get stuck behind them, a line of frustrated motorists accumulates...and these drivers continue on, seemingly oblivious. Do these people not see the line of cars accumulating behind them? Do they not care? Do they have a special fondness for the shoulder of the left lane? Or do they get a kick out of seeing the angry drivers in their rear-view mirrors, cursing and shaking their fists?
Whatever the reasons may be, these drivers really, really drive me nuts. To all of you drivers out there who know that the left lane is the passing lane, bless you, and please spread the gospel. And to Gordon, wherever you are: thank you.
It's such a simple concept: If you are going the speed limit (or lower), then travel in the right-hand lane. If you are going faster than the flow of that lane, then move over to the left lane. When it seems as though you are no longer going faster than the flow of traffic (and pay attention...here's the key to the whole concept), GET BACK IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE. This way, those who wish to go faster than you are able to. Very, very simple. So if it's so simple, then why am I constantly being stuck behind slow drivers in the left lane? Why do drivers who are going the exact same speed (or slower) than the cars in the right-hand lane feel the need to drive on the left and effectively shut down the fast lane?
Not only is unnecessary driving in the passing lane extremely rude and frustrating, it is very unsafe. Besides inciting road rage, these drivers force people who do not wish to drive 60 mph in a 55 mph zone to pass on the right, or to weave in and out of traffic to get around the slow drivers. This could all be easily avoided if people treated the left lane as it should be treated: as the PASSING, not the traveling lane. Did these drivers not have a Gordon in their lives to explain this basic, yet highly effective practice?
It is especially irritating when you are on a long road trip and you've been happily cruising at 75-80, when bam--you're forced down to 60 by some jerk in the left lane going EXACTLY the same speed as the drivers in the right lane. They don't move over, you get stuck behind them, a line of frustrated motorists accumulates...and these drivers continue on, seemingly oblivious. Do these people not see the line of cars accumulating behind them? Do they not care? Do they have a special fondness for the shoulder of the left lane? Or do they get a kick out of seeing the angry drivers in their rear-view mirrors, cursing and shaking their fists?
Whatever the reasons may be, these drivers really, really drive me nuts. To all of you drivers out there who know that the left lane is the passing lane, bless you, and please spread the gospel. And to Gordon, wherever you are: thank you.
1 comment:
I agree with you 100%. Thank you for expressing it so well. I wish a law would be passed that would fine drivers for doing what you have described. Is it no longer in the driver's manuals that the left lane is for passing only?
If you are a lawyer, can't you initiate legislation that will penalize these drivers?
Thank you.
Mary Alice dunbar
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