# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/121 "2011-02-16T20:36:10Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’m saying speeding is also a dick move, so if you’re already engaged in a dick move yourself, you pretty much don’t have any moral high ground to bitch about anybody else. First,. I’ve actually seen someone pulled over for driving in the left lane, in NJ. I’ve never actually seen anyone arrested for murder, but that does not mean the law against it does not exist. Speeding so that you are going much faster than the general flow of traffic is a dick move. Speeding when you are keeping up with the flow of traffic is not. For long stretches of I5 in California driving at exactly the speed limit, even in the right lane, would force people to maneuver around you. Legal, fine if you are too feeble to drive with traffic or if your car is not in good enough shape to handle the speed, but still dangerous. Driving at the speed limit in the left lane there is a dick move, assuming no weather issues. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/122 "2011-02-16T20:40:37Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > Loads of people can craft artful Mamet-esque curse-laden sentences, and we flip the bird as cool as Chester Cheetah. Fine - if you’re the kind of person who liberally sprinkles obscenities through normal conversation, then I suppose it would be a problem for you not to do the equivalent while driving. But others are unlikely to know your personal habits - they may mistakenly expect normal human standards of behavior and thus misinterpret your particular notion of coolness and grace. Do you offer those curse-laden sentences and finger gestures to strangers in everyday situations - say, in a store? What sort of reaction do you get? ---
**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, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/123 "2011-02-16T20:52:21Z")
… ---
**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, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/124 "2011-02-16T21:16:22Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I already answered the question. they never do it, no. From Wa State Patrol, regarding last year (2010): Sgt. J.J. Gundermann “Gundermann says it’s very possible many of the drivers pulled over for a left-lane violation were, in fact, cited for something else, or even arrested. Lane violations, for example, are often the cause cited by troopers to pull over an erratic driver who might then be arrested for suspicion of DUI or another offense. You can’t assume that all those 10,000 drivers pulled over for a left-lane violation this year were simply let off the hook.” Nope, it never happens. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/125 "2011-02-16T21:33:02Z")
I know of one person pulled over for hogging the left lane and have seen a truck pulled over for it. Generally I’ll flash my lights if the person is not over taking the traffic to the right. If they are over taking the other traffic, but by only a very minor degree, then I hang back and wait. What I really, really hate is being on a 2 lane highway on my motorcycle with a truck in the right lane and a car either keeping pace or very slowly overtaking it on the left. I can not stand being anywhere near a large tractor trailer on my bike and would really appreciate being able to pass it quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/126 "2011-02-16T21:38:41Z")
What I hate slightly more than people blocking the passing lane are those who overtake on the right when you are tailing someone who is passing in the passing lane very slowly, then try to cut in in front of you because while you are tailgating, you mistakenly have physically left enough room for the competing car to fit in, space which it rightfully takes as its own. Right behind the slow car. Accomplished a whole lot it did there. That’s when I break out the high beams. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/127 "2011-02-16T21:41:33Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Do you offer those curse-laden sentences and finger gestures to strangers in everyday situations - say, in a store? What sort of reaction do you get? Why it’s how I proposed to my wife! I think we’re just picturing different ends of the spectrum of human reactions. While I can easily imagine someone boiling over with frustration cursing and flipping people off, I also think it doesn’t _have to_ be that way. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/128 "2011-02-16T21:51:54Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Because they are. LOL. Okay, you win. ---
**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, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/129 "2011-02-16T22:11:01Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > LOL. Okay, you win. Predicted **Dio** response: No, I didn’t win. Prove that I won. ---
**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, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/130 "2011-02-16T22:18:38Z")
In the USA, in case anyone in other parts of the real world missed it: We get upset not because we feel we are entitled to something, and not because we are ignorant, cry-baby Americans. **We get upset because** X number of people have determined that being a prick and loafing along in the passing lane is a giagantic “FUCK YOU” to the other drivers. We want that ‘FUCK YOU other drivers’ mentality to stop! The majority of people wish there were more UNWRITTEN but ACCEPTED codes of driving – just the little things that exist in other facets of society, and that make the world a bit improved over the basic “the only thing that matters is the law (or my interpretation thereof)” approach. In the USA, there’s a disproportionate number of drivers who accept the law only as it serves\* them\*, and _they_ cannot even _remotely_ fathom that there are accepted practices that often supersede the law for society at large… but not for this subject! Ohhhh noooooo! God forbid we try to drive with some sort of common-sense approach. We’ll be here in 50 years under the never-ending false impression that the left-hand-lane fucknut is going to stop all this speeding nonsense once and for all! . ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/131 "2011-02-16T22:20:22Z")
There is also the issue of speedometer variation. Just because you think you’re doing the limit, doesnt mean you are. Otaras ---
**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, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/132 "2011-02-16T22:20:58Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > From Wa State Patrol, regarding last year (2010): > Sgt. J.J. Gundermann > “Gundermann says it’s very possible many of the drivers pulled over for a left-lane violation were, in fact, cited for something else, or even arrested. Lane violations, for example, are often the cause cited by troopers to pull over an erratic driver who might then be arrested for suspicion of DUI or another offense. You can’t assume that all those 10,000 drivers pulled over for a left-lane violation this year were simply let off the hook.” > > Nope, it never happens. Nope, it doesn’t. Using it as a pretense for PC might happen, but just pulling people over that are going the speed limit in the left lane and giving them a ticket - no, it doesn’t happen. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/133 "2011-02-16T22:21:39Z")
Not a problem here. We don’t have any 4-lane roads for the northern 2/3 of the county. Now tell me what to do about the farmer with a extra-wide, overloaded haywagon going 15MPH. ---
**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, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/134 "2011-02-16T22:49:33Z")
> [@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. No, he would write you a legitimate ticket for impeding the flow of traffic if you could safely move to the right lane but refused to do so when faster traffic approached you from the rear. And it would hold up in court. ---
**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, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/135 "2011-02-16T23:05:19Z")
(Too late to edit, but here’s the relevant cite.) [Georgia Law Code 40-6-40](http://law.onecle.com/georgia/40/40-6-40.html) The relevant subsection, if you don’t want to click the link: (b) Upon all roadways, any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/136 "2011-02-16T23:32:36Z")
The laws cited thus far either don’t mention the speed limit or specifically state that the speed limit is irrelevant to blocking traffic, moving over, etc. So lawmakers have either specifically stated or by omission indicated that the speed limit is a lesser concern than impeding traffic. In other words, the person driving in the left lane is a bigger dick than the person speeding. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/137 "2011-02-16T23:51:53Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > While I can easily imagine someone boiling over with frustration cursing and flipping people off, I also think it doesn’t _have to_ be that way. Agreed. But offering such gestures, whether or not with elevated blood pressure, is tolerably likely to provoke a regrettable reaction in the person to whom the gesture is offered. Because of a fair probability of harm and low chance of any benefit (other than some transient and puerile satisfaction), this practice earns the classification of Bad Driving. ---
**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, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/138 "2011-02-17T00:01:43Z")
> [@Lacunae\_Matata](#): > > No, he would write you a legitimate ticket for impeding the flow of traffic if you could safely move to the right lane but refused to do so when faster traffic approached you from the rear. And it would hold up in court. 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. ---
**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, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/139 "2011-02-17T00:03:53Z")
> [@Lacunae\_Matata](#): > > (Too late to edit, but here’s the relevant cite.) > > [Georgia Law Code 40-6-40](http://law.onecle.com/georgia/40/40-6-40.html) > > The relevant subsection, if you don’t want to click the link: > > (b) Upon all roadways, any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. A completely irrelevant 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 17, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476/140 "2011-02-17T00:06:02Z")
> [@Chopper9760](#): > > The laws cited thus far either don’t mention the speed limit or specifically state that the speed limit is irrelevant to blocking traffic, moving over, etc. > > So lawmakers have either specifically stated or by omission indicated that the speed limit is a lesser concern than impeding traffic. > > In other words, the person driving in the left lane is a bigger dick than the person speeding. No, it is always illegal to exceed the speed limit in any lane, and speeding causes physical danger which driving the speed limit in the fast lane does not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-about-people-blocking-the-passing-lane/571476.md?page=8)