Do speeders own the left lane?

[msc545]

Many people believe that people who don't speed are obligated to pull over from the far left lane to another lane to allow people who want to speed to move ahead. As long as they are going the speed limit, they are NOT. What is your thought on this? Should people driving legally make way for others to drive illegally?

Updates

+1 y

DON"T call me names on here or make assumptions about my driving just because I asked this question - please.

[DaveToo]

Legally the left lane is there for someone to pass vehicles moving slower than the speed limit. It's not to drive OVER the speed limit.

[msc545]

Exactly my point.

[DaveToo]

@TheBigWhistle It's not that I'm upset. I'm a former police officer with the LAPD and have had the unfortunate opportunity to deal with the aftermath of the incompetent speeder.

[msc545]

@TheBigWhistle I never said I was opposed to driving over the speed limit.

[msc545]

I usually drive over the limit on highways about 5-8 MPH like most people.

[msc545]

@TheBigWhistle Nobody forced you to answer this question. Sorry your balls hurt.

[msc545]

My real issue is that if I am in the left lane doing 10 over, inevitably there is some asshole in a pickup truck who decides to ride my bumper because he wants to do 30 over. I will only move over for him if he doesn't ride my bumper to begin with, and flashes his lights instead which is courteous where I live.

[msc545]

@TheBigWhistle Are you able to read?

[msc545]

If so, then you already know I moderated your comment because you were TOLD not to get snarky with me over this issue. It is not about me or my driving habits.

[DaveToo]

Thanks for the MHO!

[exitseven]

The left lane is known as the passing lane. If you can't keep up, get the heck out of my way.

[msc545]

well, no. If I am driving the speed limit, and you want to go more than that, you are driving illegally and I don't need to move over.

[exitseven]

RE: Update- I figured calling you names would be counter productive. Maybe the next time i am behind you I will just flash my high beams in your rear view mirror.

[msc545]

Actually, I think that's courteous. Whenever anybody does that I always move over. It's a lot better than driving 2 inches behind my rear bumper which just pisses me off.

[exitseven]

I usually get up really close before I flash mu lights. At night it really gets their attention.

[Jamie05rhs]

@exitseven You don't need to do all that.

[exitseven]

@Jamie05rhs I know but I am thorough.

[msc545]

The closer you drive to other cars the more dangerous it is.

[exitseven]

Thanks for the MHO😎

[ChrisMaster69]

It’s one of those strange situations where you are on the moral high ground in one respect, as in the other person is breaking the law by speeding.

the other part is you are also breaking the part where you don’t drive so as to frustrate other road users.

when this becomes even more of a contention is if you factor in weather, say the road is wet and it’s raining.

Driving to the speed limit is now not ideal and is driving to a persons ability within the conditions and also their cars.

Personally it’s the frustration bit that I hate.

the other bit is the accuracy of speedos, two different cars driving at 70mph on their speedos will rarely do the same speed.

Even Sat Nav has issues but is usually more accurate, I’ve had hire cars that are 5mph out on their speedo versus my GPS Sat Nav.

this means (in the UK) if it was a 2 lane or 3 lane motorway for example and you were just under and did not move over, they would pull u over, definitely if middle Lane as it’s a fine and possibly points.

[God_of_Thunder]

Technically, it's the law in many places that you move over, even if the other driver is speeding. Regardless of whether they are breaking the law, or not, you can legally be ticketed for refusing to move over.

The reason being that the left lane is the passinglane, and if you are not actively passing another vehicle, you should not be in the left lane in the first place. If someone is trying to pass you, regardless of their speed, you are required, by law, to move over and let them pass.

If you are just cruising in the left lane, not passing, and refuse to move over, then you are driving just as illegally as the person who is speeding.

[msc545]

If you believe this to be the law, can you cite any actual laws regarding this? It is most certainly not the law in California.

[God_of_Thunder]

As I said, it is the law in "most" places, and every state has their own take on it. I commented based on my home state, but I did find California's statute.

leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/.../...laySection.xhtml

"Notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits, any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, 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."

If you are not passing, or turning left, you are in the wrong lane. It specifically exempts speed limits in favor of the "normal rate of traffic", which can get ambiguous. If everyone else is doing 70, and you are doing 55, then you should be in the right lane.

[msc545]

That phrase "the normal rate of traffic" does not apply to speeds in excess of the speed limit.

[God_of_Thunder]

Yeah, actually it does. That is literally the definition: i. e. the rate at which the majority of vehicles are travelling, regardless of the posted speed.

www.claimsjournal.com/.../285097.htm

In other states, this statutory duty of slower traffic to keep right applies “notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits.” For example, in California, Cal. Vehicle Code § 21654 requires “any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction” to drive in the right-hand lane, “notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits.” Laws such as this refer to the “normal” speed of traffic, not the “legal” speed of traffic.

[OrallyFixated]

@god_of_thunder
Oh crap. You posted all this already.
Guess the information was readily available on the internet.
Who knew 🤷‍♀️

[God_of_Thunder]

@OrallyFixated I know, right?

It must not have been too difficult to locate, if we both found it. 🤔

[msc545]

you are wrong.

[God_of_Thunder]

No, I'm actually not, and I've also provided proof that I'm not. I'm sorry that you don't agree, but that doesn't change the facts.

If you still believe otherwise, then provide proof to support your claim, as I have done. Simply telling me that I am wrong proves nothing, nor does it refute the evidence that I've provided.

[msc545]

you have provided NO proof.

[AviatorTom]

There are laws in many states now dealing with this. If a vehicle in the left fast lane is holding up several vehicles behind it and doesn't move over to a slower lane, that is a moving violation and they can be ticketed, even if they are doing the speed limit. I think it's a good rule.

Yes, you legally have to move over to let speeders by in teh fast lane. That's the law.

One of the reasons for this law is to reduce accidents caused by speeders passing cars in the fast left lane on the right, often without looking and crashing into cars in the slower middle and right lanes.

[Julie_TS]

So yeah, the left lane is for passing, not riding in / cruising along in.
it is totally illegal, even in CA, (even tho you said it's not) to dawdle in the left lane.
Even did the research for you.
#nowmovethefuckover

[msc545]

The "normal speed of traffic" has been interpreted as being no more than the speed limit.

[OrallyFixated]

@msc545
No, it doesn’t actually.
“For example, in California, Cal. Vehicle Code § 21654 requires “any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction” to drive in the right-hand lane, “notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits.” Laws such as this refer to the “normal” speed of traffic, not the “legal” speed of traffic.“
From this link…
www.claimsjournal.com/.../285097.htm

[msc545]

@OrallyFixated The normal speed of traffic is for legal purposes presumed to not be above the speed limit.

[Julie_TS]

@msc545 Please, stop.
Myself & @OrallyFixated have both posted examples showing that the 'normal speed of traffic' does not necc mean travelling at the legal posted speed.
So, now I'm asking you to do your own research and show where it says that the 'normal spped of traffic' is interpreted as the legal posted speed.

[msc545]

No, I will not stop. I believe I am correct. Lots of people traveling the "normal speed" of 80 in the left lane receive tickets, but you think you can go as fast as you want in that lane.

[God_of_Thunder]

You can believe you are correct all you like, but that doesn't make it so. You have been proven wrong, by multiple people, multiple times, and with evidence from multiple sources.

Unless you can provide evidence to the contrary, then you are wrong, no matter how much you dislike it.

[msc545]

If you think you are right, you need to explain why it is that people get tickets for speeding in the left lane.

[msc545]

Being that it's a "passing lane" and all that bullshit.

[OrallyFixated]

Why would you think getting a ticket for not moving over would negate getting tickets for speeding?
I’m not really sure what you are not understanding. The law clear, and quite universal. Many states and other countries have this law as well.
Flow of traffic doesn’t mean up to the speed limit. It mean the current speed of traffic.
Have you looked up that law and read it for yourself?

[Julie_TS]

@OrallyFixated there is zero percent chance that he hasn't searched it. And, there also zero percent chance that he found anything to support his argument, or we'd had heard about it by now.

[msc545]

The fact that people do not get tickets for not moving over if they go the speed limit, and DO get tickets for speeding in the left lane says it all.

[msc545]

"Section 21654 of the California Vehicle Code does not apply to vehicles traveling at or exceeding the 55/65/70 MPH maximum speed limits. A motorist traveling at the speed limit in the left lane on a multi-lane highway has no legal obligation to move to a right lane to permit a speeding vehicle to over take him or her."

[Julie_TS]

@msc545 please attach the link that you got that quote from.
In the mean time, I have copy/pasted a few quotes from an article pertaining to 21654, as well as a link at the bottom of the page.

A trooper with the California Highway Patrol ticketed a driver going 40-50 mph in the fast lane.

California Highway Patrol recently posted a reminder on Facebook about staying in the lanes to the right of the “fast lane” if you’re doing anything other than passing another vehicle.

“If there are vehicles behind you, you must move to the right lane to allow them to pass,”

www.sacbee.com/.../article217276300.html

[OrallyFixated]

@msc545
I guess the only question is, why do you think the law is worded in a way that is different than what you believe the law to be?
And if people are not regularly ticketed for certain infractions, do you believe that means they are not infractions? If that was the case, things like improper lane changes, not signalling and tailgating must also not be considered breaking the law, because I have never seen a person get pulled over for doing any of that.

[msc545]

@OrallyFixated Apparently you do not live in California. I have seen people pulled over for all the things you mention.

[OrallyFixated]

Laws aren’t really based on what you have witnessed. It’s based on the words that make up the law.
People who are driving in the left hand lane, and not using it solely as a passing lane like intended, are a hazard and contribute to traffic jams on the highway. I hope you never realize how much of a hazard you truly are.
You have been presented with evidence that show how wrong you are, yet you ignore in your quest to be right. Cannot really give you anymore than the actual words used in the writing of the law. Argue with them if you find the law so offensive.

[In_Trance]

This, like everything else, is not about law; it's about precedent. If traffic is moving at the rate of 20 over the limit, so should you. The way you phrased your question is to deliberately protect someone who does not want to go with the flow. Speeding is a victimless crime. Sure, come at me and say speed kills. It doesn't. If that were the case, everyone that speeds would die from it which is just not true. Drivers with lack of experience and confidence are what kills. If you don't feel comfortable travelling with the flow of traffic, gtfo the road... or at least move over. Referencing the legality in this case, is an appeal to authority. Be careful when you do that because someone somewhere doesn't like what you're doing either. Laws, in this case, speed limits are arbitrary dictates used to control traffic, not universal standards of driving

[purplepoppy]

Just let the baby have it's bottle. I'd rather pull to a different lane than have some knob head crash in to me.

[goaded]

Your speedometer is not always accurate, nor is theirs. The best time I ever pulled over for someone who wanted to go faster was 100 m before a speed camera. Flash! Flash!

It still makes me smile!

[Anonymous]

I get the point you're trying to make, but it's best to leave the left lane to the people who are breaking the law. You don't have to, but you don't need those idiots riding 2 inches off your rear bumper. You shouldn't have to lock your house door, but it's wise to do so.

Thanks to Saint George Floyd, speeding is no longer illegal in my state. You can drive like a maniac on any street, and the cops won't do anything.

[Jamie05rhs]

People shouldn't be Karens, period. Especially on the roadway. Let the cops take care of it. Don't be an asshole and cause a road rage incident. It's really not worth it. If someone is trying to get around, let them pass.

[Jamie05rhs]

by the way, if anyone "owns" the left lane, they're doing it wrong. It's supposed to be a "get in; get out" situation.

[Gwenhwyfar]

I also agree with you on this as well. And this, unfortunately, is why we need cops to catch speeders.

[anylolone]

Nope and nothing will change my mind about that. If I'm at or near the speed limit and I see a speeder trying to zip around, I'll speed and match with the next car to my right just to piss the crazy off.

[Anonymous]

You shouldn’t be driving in the left hand lane. It is for passing. You are the one in the wrong if you are holding up traffic in a passing lane.
Check your drivers manual for more details.

[OddBeMe]

Look we have mental issues. If you want to keep things easy, just move over.

[Kingofkings1992]

If you have space to get over, it’s the courteous thing to do. I get irritated when people in the far left lane are going the speed limit.

[Kayleysmith]

I'm studying for my driving test and the left lane is a passing lane if you aren't not passing you should be in right lane