# What do you do about people blocking the passing lane? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 15, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476 "2011-02-15T18:20:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/221 "2011-02-17T18:02:38Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I don’t even really buy that it’s the law here. if it is, then it’s the most ignored law in the state. If a link to the specific state statute fails to convince you that you are wrong on that point, your logic is unassailable. And I mean that in the worst possible way. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/222 "2011-02-17T18:03:32Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Why don’t you just get to your point? Let’s say for the sake of argument the answer is yes. Ok, therefore what? The point is to get an answer to the question I asked, and hopefully to stop you from saying “No”, “I don’t know” or “I don’t think so” the next time you answer the question. Now, not for the sake of argument, but for the sake of getting an honest answer from you, would you please answer the question I have asked three times before? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/223 "2011-02-17T18:07:35Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I don’t even really buy that it’s the law here. if it is, then it’s the most ignored law in the state. You are on very dangerous ground here if you are claiming that I faked that link. I suggest that you very carefully restate what you just said. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/224 "2011-02-17T18:09:05Z")
For the sake of argument, let’s pretend the answer is yes. Now what? What relevance does it have to anything I’ve said? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/225 "2011-02-17T18:10:19Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You are on very dangerous ground here if you are claiming that I faked that link. I suggest that you very carefully restate what you just said. I’m not claiming you faked the link. I’m wondering if the link is out of date or incomplete since it doesn’t reflect the reality of what I’ve seen and experienced in all my years of living here. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/226 "2011-02-17T18:11:29Z")
If you’re a driver who habitually squats in the passing lane at or near the speed limits such that cars are lined up behind you, you probably spend a lot of time being aggravated at those inconsiderate drivers who tailgate and honk at you. Plus you’re at higher risk of getting in an accident. If you’re a driver who habitually drives well above the speed limit such that you’re constantly running up on other drivers in the passing lane, you probably spend a lot of time being aggravated at slow drivers who block your progress, deliberately or otherwise. Plus you’re at higher risk of getting in an accident (somewhat more so than passing lane hogs), and garnering speeding tickets. In either case the stress and risks associated with your self-imposed behavior can hardly be worth the soul-satisfying sense of martyrdom that accompanies it. Legal, considerate driving has its advantages. ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/227 "2011-02-17T18:12:12Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Going the speed limit is not impeding traffic. Speeding is clearly more dangerous than not speeding, and that’s all the fuck we’re talking about. Nobody owes you the road. Really? I thought all the fuck we were talking about was left lane drivers and how to deal with them. Thank you **Dio** for setting me straight. Cites have established that going the speed limit does not preclude impeding traffic. No matter how much hyperbole you couch it in the issue isn’t binary. The fact that there are established driving procedures indicates to me that yes, sometimes people do owe me the road. You have opinions about entitlement and feeling like a victim - I’m not debating your opinions, merely your assertions regarding the law. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/228 "2011-02-17T18:17:04Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’m not claiming you faked the link. I’m wondering if the link is out of date or incomplete since it doesn’t reflect the reality of what I’ve seen and experienced in all my years of living here. That was a direct link to the State of Minnesota, as you damn well know if you actually went to it. It is current. [Moderator Note]Does the statement “I don’t care what the laws of Minnesota say, I am going to continue to break them by staying in the left lane” pretty much sum up your responses in this thread? If so, then I think you should move on to some other thread, because you’ve made your point here, and it’s time for this thread to move on.[/Moderator Note] ---
**Author:** ![snailboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/97f17d/32.png) [@snailboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snailboy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/229 "2011-02-17T18:17:40Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Plus you’re at higher risk of getting in an accident (somewhat more so than passing lane hogs), and garnering speeding tickets. I’ve already provided evidence (even if circumstantial) that blocking the left lane is more dangerous than speeding without rebuttal. If you want to claim otherwise, you need to show it. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/230 "2011-02-17T18:25:58Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > That was a direct link to the State of Minnesota, as you damn well know if you actually went to it. It is current. > [Moderator Note]Does the statement “I don’t care what the laws of Minnesota say, I am going to continue to break them by staying in the left lane” pretty much sum up your responses in this thread? If so, then I think you should move on to some other thread, because you’ve made your point here, and it’s time for this thread to move on.[/Moderator Note] I am only in the left lane if I am overtaking traffic, I am not somebody who impedes traffic on the left. Even if that IS the law in Minnesota, I am not breaking it, so what is your point? ---
**Author:** ![Nadir](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nadir/32/7302_2.png) [@Nadir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nadir)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/231 "2011-02-17T18:26:45Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > What relevance does it have to anything I’ve said? Of what relevance is anything you have said? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/232 "2011-02-17T18:32:01Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I am only in the left lane if I am overtaking traffic, I am not somebody who impedes traffic on the left. Even if that IS the law in Minnesota, I am not breaking it, so what is your point? See post #222, and give an honest and direct answer to the question without any caveats like “for the sake of argument” or “lets say I answer ‘yes’..” ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/233 "2011-02-17T18:33:12Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > No, it is always illegal to exceed the speed limit in any lane That’s not [true](http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/docs/TN/htm/TN.545.htm#545.352). > [@State of Texas](#): > > (a) The regulation of the speed of a vehicle under this subchapter does not apply to: > (1) an authorized emergency vehicle responding to a call; > (2) a police patrol; or > (3) a physician or ambulance responding to an emergency call. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/234 "2011-02-17T18:36:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > See post #222, and give an honest and direct answer to the question without any caveats like “for the sake of argument” or “lets say I answer ‘yes’..” The answer is honestly, “I don’t know.” I’m not going to say “yes,” if I don’t know that answer to be factually true. That does not jibe with my life experience in the state, no. I know for a fact that the left lanes in the Cities do not function as “passing only” lanes. Both lanes usually have full lines of traffic. I still don’t see the point of your question since I am not one of the people the OP is talking about. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/235 "2011-02-17T18:39:18Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The answer is honestly, “I don’t know.” I’m not going to say “yes,” if I don’t know that answer to be factually true. And lo, Neo-Birtherism was reborn. Hallelujah. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/236 "2011-02-17T18:42:12Z")
I will say that the linked statute appear to say that is the law. So? ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/237 "2011-02-17T18:43:01Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’m not somebody who does that in the firts place. I’m a bit of a lead foot, but I don’t have this self-absorbed sense of entitlement that other people need to get out of the way for me. You don’t have the right to break the law. End of story. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’ve lived and driven in Virginia. Never saw anyone pulled over this. This wouldn’t have anything to do with me personally anyway since I don’t go slow in the fast lane. I’m just not one of thise assholes who flashes my high beams or honks at people if they aren’t going fast enough to suit my royal, all-important, entitled ass. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I don’t drive that way, so you’re barking up the wrong tree. I just pass on the right. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > He would falsify a ticket? Because I don’t drive that way. I’m a speeder. I just recognize that my desire to speed is not an entitlement. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Why does everybody keep saying I’m that prick in the left lane. I’m not. I don’t do that. I just don’t think it’s some kind of massive civil rights violation for me to have to be behind them. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > What part of “I don’t do that” do you not understand? I don’t drive that way. I don’t impede traffic. I AM the faster flow of traffic. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > By the way, I’d like to reiterate that I’m not one of the “impeders” that people are bitching about. I’m generally going as fast as traffic will allow me to go. I just don’t think I’m a 9/11 victim if I get behind somebody who’s only going 60 in a 55 zone. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > That was a direct link to the State of Minnesota, as you damn well know if you actually went to it. It is current. > [Moderator Note]Does the statement “I don’t care what the laws of Minnesota say, I am going to continue to break them by staying in the left lane” pretty much sum up your responses in this thread? If so, then I think you should move on to some other thread, because you’ve made your point here, and it’s time for this thread to move on.[/Moderator Note] Czarcasm, not once has DtC said he stays in the left lane. In fact, he has gone out of his way to say he doesn’t do it. Over and over and over again. God. If you want to argue with his dense stubbornness that nears insanity at least read his posts. ---
**Author:** ![Nadir](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nadir/32/7302_2.png) [@Nadir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nadir)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/238 "2011-02-17T18:46:35Z")
Easy to see where the post count comes from. Neo-Birtherism. That makes 2 new words coined recently here. Trolltard would be the other. I believe it may apply here, as well. Maybe senior trolltard, dunno… 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Nadir](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nadir/32/7302_2.png) [@Nadir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nadir)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/239 "2011-02-17T18:48:22Z")
> [@pricciar](#): > > Czarcasm, not once has DtC said he stays in the left lane. In fact, he has gone out of his way to say he doesn’t do it. Over and over and over again. God. If you want to argue with his dense stubbornness that nears insanity at least read his posts. Right. But you see, it’s not about the OP or the thread topic - it’s all about him. Niiiice. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/240 "2011-02-17T18:57:18Z")
> [@Nadir](#): > > Easy to see where the post count comes from. > > Neo-Birtherism. That makes 2 new words coined recently here. Trolltard would be the other. I believe it may apply here, as well. Maybe senior trolltard, dunno… 😕 [Moderator Warning]Infraction issued for personal insults and calling a poster a “troll” outside of The BBQ Pit.[/Moderator Warning] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476.md?page=13)