# why do drivers actually continually drive slow in the left lane?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-drivers-actually-continually-drive-slow-in-the-left-lane/255859
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [July 19, 2004, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-drivers-actually-continually-drive-slow-in-the-left-lane/255859 "2004-07-19T18:57:22Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 4
### Author:  [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2004, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-drivers-actually-continually-drive-slow-in-the-left-lane/255859/61 "2004-07-26T11:52:42Z")
> [@Krisfer the Cat](#):
>
> Please give my your address so you can pay my car insurance AND the next however many tickets I get because according to you its all right for me to drive faster than the speed limit.
>
> :wally
If you don’t think it’s an acceptable risk, fine. You’re free to go however fast or slow you want. The whole point of this thread is that it’s courteous and polite for drivers to get out of the way of those who do want to go faster.
Maybe things are different in other parts of the country. Here in CT, the chances of getting pulled over for moderate speeding are approximately zero. Traffic is always moving at 10-20 mph over the speed limit. Everyone just takes it as a law that’s meant to be broken. Anyone who tries to actually go the speed limit on the highway is just begging to be rear-ended by an innattentive driver.
Note that I’m talking about speeding on the highway here - speed limits on developed roads are different story. People who speed through populated areas are jackasses.
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### Author:  [@MaryEFoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaryEFoo)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2004, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-drivers-actually-continually-drive-slow-in-the-left-lane/255859/62 "2004-07-27T05:53:22Z")
Some Left Lane Drivers no doubt think they are enforcing the norms.
And some of them may just prefer the fast lane and prefer their speed of choice.
And some may have minds a perfect blank.
But the professionals, the Highway Patrol and so forth, recommend they move over and let the faster drivers go.
Tape from 911 dispatcher:
Caller: I’m being tailgated! I’m being high-beamed!
Dispatcher: What lane are you in?
Caller: I’m in the fast lane! The guy is right on my tail!
Dispatcher: Turn on your right turn signal. Is it clear to change lanes?
Caller: Yes, but he’s tailgating me!!!
Dispatcher: Check the lane to your right and move into it when clear.
Caller: Yes, yes, I’ve done it.
Dispatcher: What is your status?
Caller: That guy just roared past me at 75 mph!
Dispatcher: Are there any other issues?
Caller: No…
This conversation did not involve me. Even when my mind is a perfect blank, as soon as I notice someone coming up behind me, I do the signal-and-move-over.
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