# 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:** 4
**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 16, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/61 "2011-02-16T15:31:21Z")
> [@Nadir](#): > > There is nothing about driving on public roads that has anything to do with “rights,” regardless of speed limits, traffic laws or anything else. Nobody has any “right” to drive a vehicle at all. > > See “privilege,” for further edification. I know the difference and this is a nitpick with no relevance since I said they _don’t_ have a right. If you agree that they DON’T have a right, then what is your point? What did I say that isn’t true? ---
**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 16, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/62 "2011-02-16T15:33:10Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Because the law in most places is that you stay right except to pass. Cite? ---
**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 16, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/63 "2011-02-16T15:35:50Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Aside from what everyone else said, how do you know you’re speedometer isn’t a bit high, and whoever behind you is a bit low? You might think you’re doing the limit (but you’re not), and you’ll think he’s a speeding idiot (but he’s not; he thinks he’s doing the limit). Get out of the way. 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. ---
**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 16, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/64 "2011-02-16T16:08:17Z")
> [@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. What a load of horse manure. “I apologize for not being the way I secretly am.” :rolleyes: Anyone certainly does have every right to do as they please and suffer the consequences of their actions if it ends up getting them in trouble of some sort. What you don’t seem to understand is your insufferable compulsion to impose yourself on their ability to do so. Story continues. 🆒 ---
**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 16, 2011, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/65 "2011-02-16T16:10:36Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Cite? Unnecessary - common knowledge to competent drivers. I’m certainly not going to waste my time looking it up for you. Maybe a re-test at the DMV is in order? ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/66 "2011-02-16T16:14:20Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Cite? May I suggest a course at your local community college on how to use the internet to find useful information? I googled **“keep right except to pass” laws** and [this was the first hit.](http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html) ---
**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 16, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/67 "2011-02-16T16:39:35Z")
> [@Nadir](#): > > What a load of horse manure. “I apologize for not being the way I secretly am.” :rolleyes: > > Anyone certainly does have every right to do as they please and suffer the consequences of their actions if it ends up getting them in trouble of some sort. What you don’t seem to understand is your insufferable compulsion to impose yourself on their ability to do so. > > Story continues. 🆒 What are you even talking about? I’ve apologized for nothing, am not “secretly” anything and have not imposed myself on anybody. What are you responding to? ---
**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 16, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/68 "2011-02-16T16:40:36Z")
> [@Nadir](#): > > Unnecessary - common knowledge to competent drivers. I’m certainly not going to waste my time looking it up for you. Maybe a re-test at the DMV is in order? There are only [six states](http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html) which only allow the left lane for passing. That’s hardly “most.” ---
**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 16, 2011, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/69 "2011-02-16T16:42:11Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > May I suggest a course at your local community college on how to use the internet to find useful information? > > I googled > > **“keep right except to pass” laws** > > and [this was the first hit.](http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html) I asked for a cite that “most” states have this law. In fact, only six do. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/70 "2011-02-16T16:43:30Z")
… ---
**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 16, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/71 "2011-02-16T16:45:14Z")
I provided the cite already. Only six states have laws that allow the left lane only for passing. Don’t pop off if you don’t know what you’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/72 "2011-02-16T16:50:56Z")
> [@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. Nobody has any “rights”, about anything. It’s all just social custom/laws/things we humans made up. One of the things we made up is that you’re supposed to get the fuck out of the way if you’re in left lane and others want to go faster than you. Regardless of the speed (they do write tickets for blocking left lane even if the flow of traffic is exceeding the speed limit). ---
**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 16, 2011, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/73 "2011-02-16T16:56:24Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I asked for a cite that “most” states have this law. In fact, only six do. :rolleyes: Reminds me of the Ron White bit: “I’m teaching this mu\*&fu&^r to count…” ---
**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 16, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/74 "2011-02-16T17:07:59Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > One of the things we made up is that you’re supposed to get the fuck out of the way if you’re in left lane and others want to go faster than you. I disagree. This is not a real thing. This is something people delusionally believe they’re entitled to, but you can’t be blocking traffic if you’re going the legal limit. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/75 "2011-02-16T17:16:33Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I asked for a cite that “most” states have this law. In fact, only six do. But the majority of them have laws that you have to move to the right if you are going slower than the rest of the traffic or impeding traffic. In other words, if you are not passing, move to the right. > [@](#): > > A few states permit use of the left lane only for passing or turning left. These have “yes” in the “keep right” column. Six states require drivers to move right if they are blocking traffic in the left lane. Most states follow the Uniform Vehicle Code and require drivers to keep right if they are going slower than the normal speed of traffic (regardless of the speed limit; see below). These are listed as “slower”, with an asterisk and an explanation under “comments” if vehicles lawfully using the left lane must yield to overtaking traffic. \*\*A few states \*\*either do not require vehicles to keep right (“no”), or permit vehicles moving at the speed limit to drive in the left lane regardless of traffic conditions (“\ **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 16, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/76 "2011-02-16T17:17:45Z") > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I provided the cite already. Only six states have… > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > This is something people delusionally believe they’re entitled to, … Apparently he did not read the cite he did not provide, either. I expect next he will call for a cite to the definition of the terms “six,” “law” and “state”. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/77 "2011-02-16T17:19:52Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > There are only [six states](http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html) which only allow the left lane for passing. That’s hardly “most.” Most of the rest say you have to stay right if you’re slower than the “normal speed” of traffic. Note, they very specifically do not say anything about the speed limit. Therefore, a statement of “if you’re going the speed limit you can stay left” is incorrect in the 30 or so states that have that type of law. However, you’re right that they also do not say you have to stay right except to pass. What an idiotic mess, 50 laws for one concept. ---
**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 16, 2011, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/78 "2011-02-16T17:24:08Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Most of the rest say you have to stay right if you’re slower than the “normal speed” of traffic. Note, they very specifically do not say anything about the speed limit. That’s because lawmakers and state troopers are really concerned foremost with traffic safety. Being pedantic about some irrational need to block traffic is reserved for SDMB posters. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/79 "2011-02-16T17:25:01Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I disagree. This is not a real thing. This is something people delusionally believe they’re entitled to, but you can’t be blocking traffic if you’re going the legal limit. Ok, I understand you aren’t familiar with the laws, I’m guessing you take the bus or just ride your skateboard everywhere and you haven’t taken the time to even understand. Some people are less educated about driving laws. Here’s a logic question for you, let’s see how you do: The police wouldn’t ticket people for this exact infraction (blocking left lane even though going over the posted limit) if you were correct would they? ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/80 "2011-02-16T17:26:42Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > When I become a Billionaire, my first act of public service will be to rent billboards along highways all over the country, emblazoned with something I’ve been saying for 15 years or more; > > _**If you are being passed on the Right, > You are in the wrong.**_ Won’t work in Vermont - we have no billboards (banned by law). What I hate is being in the left lane, slowly passing traffic in the right, with people ahead of me doing the same – and some doofus comes up behind and starts flashing his lights. Dude, there’s a guy in front of my, and a guy in front of him, and someone in front of him. Where do you think you are going to go? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476.md?page=5)