# Traffic Courtesies that aren't Laws **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 2, 2018, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-courtesies-that-arent-laws/811636 "2018-04-02T13:25:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![StraightTalk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straighttalk/32/9982_2.png) [@StraightTalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StraightTalk)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2018, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-courtesies-that-arent-laws/811636/101 "2018-04-17T20:42:45Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > The left lane is for passing only, or for left turns or passing only, in most ALL states. There are only 6 states without some version of this law. > > [Left-Lane Passing Laws: A State-By-State Map](https://jalopnik.com/5501615/left-lane-passing-laws-a-state-by-state-map) I actually found the same map and am reading it differently. From your link: “The states indicated in green dictate that the left lane should be used exclusively for passing or turning left” There are 10 states in green. I wouldn’t call 10 of 50+ “most ALL” For the 29 in yellow, you must only move from the left lane if you are driving slower than normal traffic. You can stay in the left lane for miles and miles and miles if you are moving faster than normal traffic. This is the “faster traffic to the left/slower traffic to the right” saying that I think we’ve all heard. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2018, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-courtesies-that-arent-laws/811636/102 "2018-04-17T21:34:05Z")
> [@StraightTalk](#): > > For the 29 in yellow, you must only move from the left lane if you are driving slower than normal traffic. You can stay in the left lane for miles and miles and miles if you are moving faster than normal traffic. This is the “faster traffic to the left/slower traffic to the right” saying that I think we’ve all heard. That is also what I would call “passing.” ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2018, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-courtesies-that-arent-laws/811636/103 "2018-04-18T03:57:10Z")
In Virginia (gray/brown on the map), there is no restriction against using the left lane if you are not passing, but you _are_ obliged to move to the right if the car behind you gives a visual or audible signal (this is generally understood to mean flashing lights or honking horn). However, most drivers are unaware of this and you still get people camped out in the left lane going 10-15 MPH slower than surrounding traffic. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2018, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-courtesies-that-arent-laws/811636/104 "2018-04-20T05:46:40Z")
> [@StraightTalk](#): > > I actually found the same map and am reading it differently. > > From your link: “The states indicated in green dictate that the left lane should be used exclusively for passing or turning left” > > There are 10 states in green. I wouldn’t call 10 of 50+ “most ALL” > > For the 29 in yellow, you must only move from the left lane if you are driving slower than normal traffic. You can stay in the left lane for miles and miles and miles if you are moving faster than normal traffic. This is the “faster traffic to the left/slower traffic to the right” saying that I think we’ve all heard. Here in CA you can stay in the left lane all day as long as you arent driving _slower_ than the lanes to your right. Or impeding traffic. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2018, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-courtesies-that-arent-laws/811636/105 "2018-04-20T05:47:51Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That is also what I would call “passing.” You dont actually have to be moving faster, just not slower. Only 10 states have the left lane for passing only, it is the _exception_, not the rule. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2018, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-courtesies-that-arent-laws/811636/106 "2018-04-22T01:32:49Z")
Right turn on red is an option. Is that sort of a courtesy? It’s not illegal to wait until the light turns green to go right! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2018, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-courtesies-that-arent-laws/811636/107 "2018-04-22T01:55:29Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Right turn on red is an option. Is that sort of a courtesy? It’s not illegal to wait until the light turns green to go right! It can be. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2018, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-courtesies-that-arent-laws/811636/108 "2018-04-22T15:14:57Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Right turn on red is an option. Is that sort of a courtesy? It’s not illegal to wait until the light turns green to go right! Is it illegal to wait until the light turns green? I don’t think so, not for any states that I can think of, anyway. I could see how it could be interfering with or obstructing the flow of traffic, but that’d be more than a bit of a stretch. This thread is about traffic courtesies that aren’t laws. It is extremely discourteous to those behind you to not turn right on red when you have the option. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2018, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-courtesies-that-arent-laws/811636/109 "2018-04-22T15:27:07Z")
School buses can’t turn right on red in this state (FL). ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2018, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-courtesies-that-arent-laws/811636/110 "2018-04-22T15:33:04Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > School buses can’t turn right on red in this state (FL). That’s probably the case for many states. They also have to come to a complete stop and open their doors and listen at railroad crossings. I’d think it odd at best if passenger cars did that. ---
**Author:** ![Toledo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@Toledo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toledo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-courtesies-that-arent-laws/811636/111 "2018-04-23T01:52:42Z")
Yes, here in Ohio school busses can’t do a right on red. And tanker trucks hauling hazardous or flammable liquids. But municipal busses can turn right on red, and so can truckers hauling flammable solids or gasses. :dubious: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-courtesies-that-arent-laws/811636.md?page=5)