# 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:** 5
**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, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/81 "2011-02-16T17:31:43Z")
The exact claim I was responding to was this: > [@Telemark](#): > > Because the law in most places is that you stay right except to pass. As I have proven, this is the law in only six states. ---
**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, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/82 "2011-02-16T17:33:24Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > 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? I’ve been driving for almost 30 years, and I’ve never seen anyone ticketed for going the speed limit in the left lane. ---
**Author:** ![Cowboy8467](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Cowboy8467](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowboy8467)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/83 "2011-02-16T17:36:02Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’ve been driving for almost 30 years, and I’ve never seen anyone ticketed for going the speed limit in the left lane. I would advise against driving in Virginia. [http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2006/022006/02092006/166829](http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2006/022006/02092006/166829) > [@](#): > > In other words, said Tyler, if you’re in the left lane of a divided highway and going down the road, even with a vehicle to your right, the law requires that you give way and let a vehicle behind you pass. > > Specifically, he said, if you’re in that situation and a vehicle behind you signals its intention to pass, by either honking a horn or flashing its lights, you are required to move to the right as soon as it’s safe, and allow the signaling vehicle to pass. > > Failure to do so is a violation of the law, he said. > > Tyler said that applies even if the vehicle trying to pass is speeding, following too closely or operating in any other reckless manner. > > “Leave it up to police officers to deal with any violations they might be committing. We’ll handle that,” he said. “But the law still requires you to move to the right and let them pass.” > > He noted that the law and common sense both are served by getting out of the way of a driver who’s anxious and intent on passing. ---
**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, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/84 "2011-02-16T17:38:25Z")
> [@Cowboy8467](#): > > I would advise against driving in Virginia. 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. ---
**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, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/85 "2011-02-16T17:39:39Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The exact claim I was responding to was this: > As I have proven, this is the law in only six states. So unless you are denying that, regardless of the specific law being called into play or not, the practice of cruising in the left lane AT ANY SPEED below traffic approaching from the rear is stupid, you shall hereby invoke another of my favorite RW’isms: “You can’t fix Stupid.” ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/86 "2011-02-16T17:40:16Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’ve been driving for almost 30 years, and I’ve never seen anyone ticketed for going the speed limit in the left lane. I know at least one sheriff’s deputy who would happily take care of that for you… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/87 "2011-02-16T17:40:18Z")
**DTC** , see: Reality vs Technicality. I suggest you change how everyone feels and reacts as a society of drivers long before you decide to be that prick in the left lane. The reality is that all would be smoother if we all actually lived in reality. But, WTF do I know? Why should anyone of us deal with how things really work when there are a plethora of meaningless technicalities. . ---
**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, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/88 "2011-02-16T17:41:11Z")
I don’t drive that way, so you’re barking up the wrong tree. I just pass on the right. ---
**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, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/89 "2011-02-16T17:43:19Z")
> [@Lacunae\_Matata](#): > > I know at least one sheriff’s deputy who would happily take care of that for you… > 😉 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. ---
**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, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/90 "2011-02-16T17:43:52Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The exact claim I was responding to was this: > As I have proven, this is the law in only six states. Even in states where it isn’t/wasn’t the law, I have seen signs saying “keep right except to pass” or “slower traffic keep right.” > [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > you can’t be blocking traffic if you’re going the legal limit. :rolleyes: If there is traffic behind you that wants to go faster than you, then you are blocking traffic. This is true regardless of the absolute speeds (and legal limits) involved. ---
**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, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/91 "2011-02-16T17:44:48Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > **DTC** , see: Reality vs Technicality. > > I suggest you change how everyone feels and reacts as a society of drivers long before you decide to be that prick in the left lane. 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. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/92 "2011-02-16T17:50:51Z")
Some day we’ll feel bad about harshing on the debilitating form of mental illness that causes self-righteous prickdom in the left lane. Until then, though, it’s fair game. ---
**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, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/93 "2011-02-16T18:01:14Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Why does everybody keep saying I’m that prick in the left lane. Because you seem to be defending this numskull practice, the performers of which apparently are smart enough to know it would be stupid to defend. They are probably just smugly satisfied to read about it and continue plodding along on the left lane, amused at the ire it stirs. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/94 "2011-02-16T18:04:00Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Cite? From Texas Constitution and Statutes: §545.051 - DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY […] (b) An operator of a vehicle on a roadway moving more slowly than the normal speed of other vehicles at the time and place under the existing conditions shall drive in the right-hand lane available for vehicles, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, unless the operator is: (1) passing another vehicle; or (2) preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. […] I see nothing about speed limits, just a reference to “normal” speed of other vehicles. Most of the divided highways around here have periodic signs admonishing “Keep right except to pass”. Again, no mention of a right to obstruct when at the speed limit. Anecdotally, based on questioning a state policeman about this. His answer was that if you want to be a cop then go through the training and earn a badge, otherwise move the hell over. ---
**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, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/95 "2011-02-16T18:07:49Z")
You’re kind of late to the party. That cite is irrelevant to what I was responding to anyway. ---
**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, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/96 "2011-02-16T18:09:43Z")
> [@Nadir](#): > > Because you seem to be defending this numskull practice, the performers of which apparently are smart enough to know it would be stupid to defend. They are probably just smugly satisfied to read about it and continue plodding along on the left lane, amused at the ire it stirs. I just don’t think I’m some kind of holocaust victim if I get behind one of them, that’s all. The sense of victimization that Americans have is staggering. We’re a nation of Sarah Palins. ---
**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, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/97 "2011-02-16T18:30:17Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I just don’t think I’m some kind of holocaust victim if I get behind one of them, that’s all. The sense of victimization that Americans have is staggering. We’re a nation of Sarah Palins. The length you would go to feel like you won an argument is what I find staggering here. :rolleyes: Just when you though stupid drivers was something EVERYBODY could agree on. :smack: ---
**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, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/98 "2011-02-16T18:31:52Z")
Isn’t speeding stupid? ---
**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, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/99 "2011-02-16T18:35:28Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Isn’t speeding stupid? You said you are a speeder. Are you a stupid driver? Being predictable and courteous is safe driving practice. Driving slower than the normal flow of traffic in the left lane is not only dickish, it’s dangerous. I don’t like dangerous drivers. And don’t I don’t defend them, (including those in this thread that take ‘revenge’ on the slowpoke in the left lane). Simple as that. ---
**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, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/100 "2011-02-16T18:39:48Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’ve been driving for almost 30 years, and I’ve never seen anyone ticketed for going the speed limit in the left lane. Awesome. That’s great news, glad to hear it. This introduces a couple new questions that you probably won’t answer: Are you unable to see how that is irrelevant? Why even post that? Here’s the question that you didn’t answer with that post: > [@](#): > > 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? We’re trying to verify your logic module, please answer yes or no to this question, thank you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476.md?page=6)