# Why do some drivers do this in passing lanes? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 26, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567 "2019-03-26T16:55:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/61 "2019-03-28T15:14:48Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Wider road -\> go faster. The local roads in my current neighborhood (NW France) actually work like that. Many roads have three lanes: the side that’s got the single lane has an 80km/h limit, the side that’s got the two lanes has a 100km/h limit. I find it thoroughly confusing, but maybe the French road code doesn’t share Spain’s line that “when passing it is legal to go up to 20km/h over the speed limit”. > [@septimus](#): > > **Poll question: Do other Dopers slow down when being passed?** I asked two fellow ex-pats if they slow down; both said “No, of course not” and looked at me as if I were nuts. :smack: Yes, if it’s on a regular road (not on a multi-lane road). The Spanish road code actually indicates that you must facilitate passing and that slowing down is one of the ways to do this. If I’m already doing 90-110 on a 100km/h multi-lane road the Beemer zooming by doesn’t care if I slow down or not 😛 ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/62 "2019-03-28T15:29:06Z")
I was driving through a small town in texas, doing the speed limit because that is what you do on the streets of a populated are. 35, I think it was, and the guy behind me was right behind me all the way through town. Then we got to the edge of town, where the speed limit went up to 70, and he pulled out to pass me. At the same time, I began accelerating to highway speed. He dropped back behind me and was back there somewhere for something like an hour until I happened to notice him turning off. Just because someone _wants_ to pass you does not mean you are obligated to let them. If they can do it, fine, let them, but it is not a simple question whether you want the asshole in front of you or behind you. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/63 "2019-03-28T15:35:04Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > I was driving through a small town in texas, doing the speed limit because that is what you do on the streets of a populated are. 35, I think it was, and the guy behind me was right behind me all the way through town. Then we got to the edge of town, where the speed limit went up to 70, and he pulled out to pass me. At the same time, I began accelerating to highway speed. He dropped back behind me and was back there somewhere for something like an hour until I happened to notice him turning off. > > Just because someone _wants_ to pass you does not mean you are obligated to let them. If they can do it, fine, let them, but it is not a simple question whether you want the asshole in front of you or behind you. Typically, I want the asshole in front of me and far away from me, so, yes, I would have let him pass in that situation. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/64 "2019-03-28T15:43:25Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Typically, I want the asshole in front of me and far away from me, so, yes, I would have let him pass in that situation. I figured that if he really wanted to be in front of me, he would eventually pass me, but it was not my responsibility to drive differently than I was going to just to make it easy for him to pass me. And he never did. He did not even follow me close enough for me to notice him back there. He had just been irritated about have to go the speed limit in town. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/65 "2019-03-28T17:47:57Z")
> [@nate](#): > > This, but also some semis have speed limiters or recorders and can only reach a certain speed. Either the truck can’t physically go that fast due to the limiter or the driver will be fined by their employer if the recording shows them going over a certain speed. So they may be limited to 65 mph, and the non-limited truck they are passing is moving at 60-70 mph so they shimmy back and forth until the limited truck falls back or the variable speed truck lets them over. It is not necessarily a speed limiter or recorder that limits the truck’s speed but GPS monitoring. Trucking companies can use the GPS in their trucks to tell not only where the truck is but how fast it is going. The GPS in my dash-cam is surprisingly accurate when displaying my speed. And that is independent of any physical connection to the car. Trucks are being monitored now for delivery ETA and company speed policy compliance for insurance reasons, and logging compliance. The Smokey and the Bandit days with drivers driving too long of hours and a separate log book are mostly gone now, or will be soon. ---
**Author:** ![MarvinKitFox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MarvinKitFox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarvinKitFox)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/66 "2019-03-28T20:57:07Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Wider road -\> go faster. ^ This, plain and simple. The person is driving at their comfort level. On a one-lane highway, with cars close on their tail, that is about 55 on a 4-lane highway, without tailgating cars, it is about 70. The situation is perceived as being safer, thus allowing a faster pace. Yes it is stupid, as it required ignoring a rational appraisal of the situation. But it makes sense for someone just driving along on hindbrain instincts. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/67 "2019-03-28T22:44:57Z")
Yeah, if I understand the OP correctly, he’s wondering why cars go slower on two-lane roads and faster on four-lane roads. It’s not just that four-lane roads are perceived as safer, they _are_ safer. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/68 "2019-03-28T23:15:02Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Yeah, if I understand the OP correctly, he’s wondering why cars go slower on two-lane roads and faster on four-lane roads. > > It’s not just that four-lane roads are perceived as safer, they _are_ safer. Three lane roads. The scenario in the OP is where a single lane splits into two lanes temporarily for the specific purpose of allowing faster traffic to pass slower traffic. It is true that it is then safer for the slower traffic to go faster but it is also stupid. ---
**Author:** ![nate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nate/32/13085_2.png) [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/69 "2019-03-29T00:22:13Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > PSA: > If you find yourself on a two-lane highway and encounter a passing lane as described in the OP in the direction of your travel, move to the right-hand lane regardless if there is someone behind you. Why, you may ask, should I move to the right lane if I am just going to have to merge back is another 200 yards? Because, if you stay in the left lane, then people in the other direction cannot pass slow-moving vehicles going in their direction. If you notice, the solid no-passing line is often only for the two-lane direction. Sometimes it is on both, but if it is only on your side, move over so the guys going the other way can pass if they get the chance. By definition, these passing lanes only exist on highways where the locations where one can pass safely are limited, so don’t prevent others from being able to pass just because you can’t be assed to move over. Is this for real? There is no way I’d attempt to pass a car in my single lane direction if I saw a car in the right lane of the two-lane direction. That just seems like a recipe for a disaster. You _really_ have to trust the other car is paying attention, and that’s not a good bet. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/70 "2019-03-29T00:41:25Z")
> [@nate](#): > > Is this for real? There is no way I’d attempt to pass a car in my single lane direction if I saw a car in the right lane of the two-lane direction. That just seems like a recipe for a disaster. You _really_ have to trust the other car is paying attention, and that’s not a good bet. Yeah, it is. I’ve done it, but I treat it as if it was a two lane, and make sure I have plenty of room to get back to my side before the oncoming car reaches me. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/71 "2019-03-29T00:57:36Z")
> [@nate](#): > > Is this for real? There is no way I’d attempt to pass a car in my single lane direction if I saw a car in the right lane of the two-lane direction. That just seems like a recipe for a disaster. You _really_ have to trust the other car is paying attention, and that’s not a good bet. There are signs on the descent side that tell you to yield to uphill traffic, so yeah, it gets used that way from time to time, but it is just like passing on a two-lane: if it is not clear, you do not do it. ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/72 "2019-03-29T01:10:51Z")
> [@nate](#): > > Is this for real? There is no way I’d attempt to pass a car in my single lane direction if I saw a car in the right lane of the two-lane direction. That just seems like a recipe for a disaster. You _really_ have to trust the other car is paying attention, and that’s not a good bet. Yeah, it’s real. I’ve done it without hesitation. I probably wouldn’t have even thought about doing it if I didn’t have someone do it on me (I was in the right-hand lane, so there wasn’t a problem). When it happened, I thought, “that can’t be right”, then noticed the no-passing stripe was only for the uphill traffic. The only times I have done it is when there has only been one oncoming vehicle, in their right-hand lane, with no reason to need to get over. I also flash my lights, to be sure they see me (50-60 years ago, flashing your light when passing was commonplace; boy, am I getting old). ---
**Author:** ![nate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nate/32/13085_2.png) [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/73 "2019-03-29T04:16:19Z")
I guess what I’m asking is, do you just ignore the car in the right lane and assume they’ll just stay in that lane and pay attention for cars coming the opposite direction before getting over? Like if the left lane is clear and you want to pass the car in front of you, even if you see a car in the right lane and you’ll pass this car when you’re going the opposite direction in their left lane, you feel like that is safe? That blows my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/74 "2019-03-29T13:13:46Z")
Eh. there’s assholes everywhere. Before that passing lane came up, I would have already pulled off into some turnoff/extra wide shoulder, and stopped to let all faster moving vehicles through. When I get to the passing lane, I slow and move to the right. I’m never in too much of a hurry, and I can’t stand people driving on my ass. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567/75 "2019-03-29T13:51:19Z")
> [@nate](#): > > I guess what I’m asking is, do you just ignore the car in the right lane and assume they’ll just stay in that lane and pay attention for cars coming the opposite direction before getting over? Like if the left lane is clear and you want to pass the car in front of you, even if you see a car in the right lane and you’ll pass this car when you’re going the opposite direction in their left lane, you feel like that is safe? That blows my mind. It’s not much different than immediately before the passing lane and you have cars passing the other direction on this rural, undivided highway. You have to hope all those cars going the opposite direction are paying attention and not going to veer into your lane. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-drivers-do-this-in-passing-lanes/831567.md?page=3)