Why are you hanging out in the left lane?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be daft I'm asking because I got the finger on 1-70 a few weeks ago.

There are only two lanes. I was going 10 miles OVER the posted 70 MPH in the left lane. Some guy flashed lights I got over then he gave me the finger as he drove by going 90. I was honestly clueless I have never in my 49 years heard that the left lane is only for passing. Is this true for two lane roads like I-70? Is everyone supposed to be in the right lane to make room for passing and people going 90 MPH?

Also he didn't get back over he stayed in the left.

You did NOTHING wrong. If you were going 10 UNDER in the left lane, then maybe pull over to the right. But if you're already speeding yourself then there is absolutely no need to give in to a crazy bully who wants to go 90.

Errr…no one should just be hanging out in the left lane.

In fact, it’s illegal in many areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be daft I'm asking because I got the finger on 1-70 a few weeks ago.

There are only two lanes. I was going 10 miles OVER the posted 70 MPH in the left lane. Some guy flashed lights I got over then he gave me the finger as he drove by going 90. I was honestly clueless I have never in my 49 years heard that the left lane is only for passing. Is this true for two lane roads like I-70? Is everyone supposed to be in the right lane to make room for passing and people going 90 MPH?

Also he didn't get back over he stayed in the left.

You did NOTHING wrong. If you were going 10 UNDER in the left lane, then maybe pull over to the right. But if you're already speeding yourself then there is absolutely no need to give in to a crazy bully who wants to go 90.

It's not about a crazy bully. It is about creating conditions (you, in the left lane) that cause other drivers to behave in unpredictable ways. If you are in the left lane and ANYONE (no matter how fast they are driving or how fast you are driving) comes up behind you, it is your job to move to the right as safely and expeditiously as you can. Drivers who sit in the left lane, no matter how fast they are going, are NOT engaging in defensive driving behavior and are contributing to unsafe road conditions. Full stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Although I got tailgated yesterday on the Beltway going 10 over... in the right lane, with plenty of space to the left. Tailgaters are just nuts.

Even if someone is parking in the left lane, you're an idiot if you don't leave following distance it's a basic safety measure.

This thread isn’t about tailgaters. It’s about people who don’t follow the universal rules of the road. It’s inconsiderate and dangerous.

Again, if people in the left lane are already going at or above the speed limit, why are you still angry?

I’m not angry. Just trying to understand why they feel entitled to just stay there and block traffic.

It’s dangerous and even illegal in VA.

No, your speeding, tailgating and reckless endangerment is illegal.

Nobody needs to move over if they are already going the speed limit and the right lane is stuffed with slow-moving trucks. You seem to imagine a lone stretch of highway in the desert, but FOTM is that the beltway here is almost always clogged in all lanes. No need to make way for a$$holes like you.

You're causing traffic therefore you are the only a**hole on the road. In fact. In MD it's illegal to slow and block traffic in the left lane. JFC teach your kids to drive properly so they aren't causing traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be daft I'm asking because I got the finger on 1-70 a few weeks ago.

There are only two lanes. I was going 10 miles OVER the posted 70 MPH in the left lane. Some guy flashed lights I got over then he gave me the finger as he drove by going 90. I was honestly clueless I have never in my 49 years heard that the left lane is only for passing. Is this true for two lane roads like I-70? Is everyone supposed to be in the right lane to make room for passing and people going 90 MPH?

Also he didn't get back over he stayed in the left.

You did NOTHING wrong. If you were going 10 UNDER in the left lane, then maybe pull over to the right. But if you're already speeding yourself then there is absolutely no need to give in to a crazy bully who wants to go 90.

All the issues here are with this horribly unsafe speeding driving. That said..i am currently trying to teach a new driver to be the road with monster drivers like that. That driver will cause an accident soon enough but got willing not with my young driver.

Mine are instructed to stay clam and calmly get away from those jerks and then proceed to pass when the lane is clear. Even if the loser is super aggressive and has road rage steam coming out of their ears..stay clam until you can safely get out of the way. You are not required to do anything unsafe to accommodate some raging jackass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be daft I'm asking because I got the finger on 1-70 a few weeks ago.

There are only two lanes. I was going 10 miles OVER the posted 70 MPH in the left lane. Some guy flashed lights I got over then he gave me the finger as he drove by going 90. I was honestly clueless I have never in my 49 years heard that the left lane is only for passing. Is this true for two lane roads like I-70? Is everyone supposed to be in the right lane to make room for passing and people going 90 MPH?

Also he didn't get back over he stayed in the left.

You did NOTHING wrong. If you were going 10 UNDER in the left lane, then maybe pull over to the right. But if you're already speeding yourself then there is absolutely no need to give in to a crazy bully who wants to go 90.

All the issues here are with this horribly unsafe speeding driving. That said..i am currently trying to teach a new driver to be the road with monster drivers like that. That driver will cause an accident soon enough but got willing not with my young driver.

Mine are instructed to stay clam and calmly get away from those jerks and then proceed to pass when the lane is clear. Even if the loser is super aggressive and has road rage steam coming out of their ears..stay clam until you can safely get out of the way. You are not required to do anything unsafe to accommodate some raging jackass.

No one is saying to do something unsafe. But, if you properly followed the rules of the road (and, in some states, the law) and were already in the right hand land like you should be, there would have been no interaction with the "monster driver" other than watching them go by. So both parties are contributing to the situation here (one more than the other), as much as you and others on this thread like to pretend that no one going the speed limit can ever be in the wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be daft I'm asking because I got the finger on 1-70 a few weeks ago.

There are only two lanes. I was going 10 miles OVER the posted 70 MPH in the left lane. Some guy flashed lights I got over then he gave me the finger as he drove by going 90. I was honestly clueless I have never in my 49 years heard that the left lane is only for passing. Is this true for two lane roads like I-70? Is everyone supposed to be in the right lane to make room for passing and people going 90 MPH?

Also he didn't get back over he stayed in the left.

You did NOTHING wrong. If you were going 10 UNDER in the left lane, then maybe pull over to the right. But if you're already speeding yourself then there is absolutely no need to give in to a crazy bully who wants to go 90.

All the issues here are with this horribly unsafe speeding driving. That said..i am currently trying to teach a new driver to be the road with monster drivers like that. That driver will cause an accident soon enough but got willing not with my young driver.

Mine are instructed to stay clam and calmly get away from those jerks and then proceed to pass when the lane is clear. Even if the loser is super aggressive and has road rage steam coming out of their ears..stay clam until you can safely get out of the way. You are not required to do anything unsafe to accommodate some raging jackass.

No one is saying to do something unsafe. But, if you properly followed the rules of the road (and, in some states, the law) and were already in the right hand land like you should be, there would have been no interaction with the "monster driver" other than watching them go by. So both parties are contributing to the situation here (one more than the other), as much as you and others on this thread like to pretend that no one going the speed limit can ever be in the wrong.

You are not in reality. My student driver can be out in the left lane..PASSING another car or cars and not doing it fast enough to some aggressive a holes satisfaction and is getting harassed from behind. Happens plenty.

There are so many drivers that think they are more important than anyone else on the road. Jerks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be daft I'm asking because I got the finger on 1-70 a few weeks ago.

There are only two lanes. I was going 10 miles OVER the posted 70 MPH in the left lane. Some guy flashed lights I got over then he gave me the finger as he drove by going 90. I was honestly clueless I have never in my 49 years heard that the left lane is only for passing. Is this true for two lane roads like I-70? Is everyone supposed to be in the right lane to make room for passing and people going 90 MPH?

Also he didn't get back over he stayed in the left.

You did NOTHING wrong. If you were going 10 UNDER in the left lane, then maybe pull over to the right. But if you're already speeding yourself then there is absolutely no need to give in to a crazy bully who wants to go 90.

All the issues here are with this horribly unsafe speeding driving. That said..i am currently trying to teach a new driver to be the road with monster drivers like that. That driver will cause an accident soon enough but got willing not with my young driver.

Mine are instructed to stay clam and calmly get away from those jerks and then proceed to pass when the lane is clear. Even if the loser is super aggressive and has road rage steam coming out of their ears..stay clam until you can safely get out of the way. You are not required to do anything unsafe to accommodate some raging jackass.

No one is saying to do something unsafe. But, if you properly followed the rules of the road (and, in some states, the law) and were already in the right hand land like you should be, there would have been no interaction with the "monster driver" other than watching them go by. So both parties are contributing to the situation here (one more than the other), as much as you and others on this thread like to pretend that no one going the speed limit can ever be in the wrong.

You are not in reality. My student driver can be out in the left lane..PASSING another car or cars and not doing it fast enough to some aggressive a holes satisfaction and is getting harassed from behind. Happens plenty.

There are so many drivers that think they are more important than anyone else on the road. Jerks.

See, now you've changed the scenario (because you know you were wrong before). In the original, the right hand lane was open, and the driver was just in the left lane for no reason. Don't do that. If you're on the left because you're passing, you pass then you get over so that other cars might be able to pass you on the left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be daft I'm asking because I got the finger on 1-70 a few weeks ago.

There are only two lanes. I was going 10 miles OVER the posted 70 MPH in the left lane. Some guy flashed lights I got over then he gave me the finger as he drove by going 90. I was honestly clueless I have never in my 49 years heard that the left lane is only for passing. Is this true for two lane roads like I-70? Is everyone supposed to be in the right lane to make room for passing and people going 90 MPH?

Also he didn't get back over he stayed in the left.

You did NOTHING wrong. If you were going 10 UNDER in the left lane, then maybe pull over to the right. But if you're already speeding yourself then there is absolutely no need to give in to a crazy bully who wants to go 90.

All the issues here are with this horribly unsafe speeding driving. That said..i am currently trying to teach a new driver to be the road with monster drivers like that. That driver will cause an accident soon enough but got willing not with my young driver.

Mine are instructed to stay clam and calmly get away from those jerks and then proceed to pass when the lane is clear. Even if the loser is super aggressive and has road rage steam coming out of their ears..stay clam until you can safely get out of the way. You are not required to do anything unsafe to accommodate some raging jackass.

No one is saying to do something unsafe. But, if you properly followed the rules of the road (and, in some states, the law) and were already in the right hand land like you should be, there would have been no interaction with the "monster driver" other than watching them go by. So both parties are contributing to the situation here (one more than the other), as much as you and others on this thread like to pretend that no one going the speed limit can ever be in the wrong.

You are not in reality. My student driver can be out in the left lane..PASSING another car or cars and not doing it fast enough to some aggressive a holes satisfaction and is getting harassed from behind. Happens plenty.

There are so many drivers that think they are more important than anyone else on the road. Jerks.

See, now you've changed the scenario (because you know you were wrong before). In the original, the right hand lane was open, and the driver was just in the left lane for no reason. Don't do that. If you're on the left because you're passing, you pass then you get over so that other cars might be able to pass you on the left.

Share the road. As difficult as you may find this concept...it is not your private highway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be daft I'm asking because I got the finger on 1-70 a few weeks ago.

There are only two lanes. I was going 10 miles OVER the posted 70 MPH in the left lane. Some guy flashed lights I got over then he gave me the finger as he drove by going 90. I was honestly clueless I have never in my 49 years heard that the left lane is only for passing. Is this true for two lane roads like I-70? Is everyone supposed to be in the right lane to make room for passing and people going 90 MPH?

Also he didn't get back over he stayed in the left.

You did NOTHING wrong. If you were going 10 UNDER in the left lane, then maybe pull over to the right. But if you're already speeding yourself then there is absolutely no need to give in to a crazy bully who wants to go 90.

All the issues here are with this horribly unsafe speeding driving. That said..i am currently trying to teach a new driver to be the road with monster drivers like that. That driver will cause an accident soon enough but got willing not with my young driver.

Mine are instructed to stay clam and calmly get away from those jerks and then proceed to pass when the lane is clear. Even if the loser is super aggressive and has road rage steam coming out of their ears..stay clam until you can safely get out of the way. You are not required to do anything unsafe to accommodate some raging jackass.

No one is saying to do something unsafe. But, if you properly followed the rules of the road (and, in some states, the law) and were already in the right hand land like you should be, there would have been no interaction with the "monster driver" other than watching them go by. So both parties are contributing to the situation here (one more than the other), as much as you and others on this thread like to pretend that no one going the speed limit can ever be in the wrong.

You are not in reality. My student driver can be out in the left lane..PASSING another car or cars and not doing it fast enough to some aggressive a holes satisfaction and is getting harassed from behind. Happens plenty.

There are so many drivers that think they are more important than anyone else on the road. Jerks.

See, now you've changed the scenario (because you know you were wrong before). In the original, the right hand lane was open, and the driver was just in the left lane for no reason. Don't do that. If you're on the left because you're passing, you pass then you get over so that other cars might be able to pass you on the left.

Share the road. As difficult as you may find this concept...it is not your private highway.

DP. That is the entire point. It is a shared resource and etiquette (and law) helps us all use it safely and efficiently.

It’s not exclusively your left lane. Only use when needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be daft I'm asking because I got the finger on 1-70 a few weeks ago.

There are only two lanes. I was going 10 miles OVER the posted 70 MPH in the left lane. Some guy flashed lights I got over then he gave me the finger as he drove by going 90. I was honestly clueless I have never in my 49 years heard that the left lane is only for passing. Is this true for two lane roads like I-70? Is everyone supposed to be in the right lane to make room for passing and people going 90 MPH?

Also he didn't get back over he stayed in the left.

Interesting! Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?

Grew up in Rockville, work in Bethesda, lived here all my life. First I've heard of it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be daft I'm asking because I got the finger on 1-70 a few weeks ago.

There are only two lanes. I was going 10 miles OVER the posted 70 MPH in the left lane. Some guy flashed lights I got over then he gave me the finger as he drove by going 90. I was honestly clueless I have never in my 49 years heard that the left lane is only for passing. Is this true for two lane roads like I-70? Is everyone supposed to be in the right lane to make room for passing and people going 90 MPH?

Also he didn't get back over he stayed in the left.

You did NOTHING wrong. If you were going 10 UNDER in the left lane, then maybe pull over to the right. But if you're already speeding yourself then there is absolutely no need to give in to a crazy bully who wants to go 90.

All the issues here are with this horribly unsafe speeding driving. That said..i am currently trying to teach a new driver to be the road with monster drivers like that. That driver will cause an accident soon enough but got willing not with my young driver.

Mine are instructed to stay clam and calmly get away from those jerks and then proceed to pass when the lane is clear. Even if the loser is super aggressive and has road rage steam coming out of their ears..stay clam until you can safely get out of the way. You are not required to do anything unsafe to accommodate some raging jackass.

No one is saying to do something unsafe. But, if you properly followed the rules of the road (and, in some states, the law) and were already in the right hand land like you should be, there would have been no interaction with the "monster driver" other than watching them go by. So both parties are contributing to the situation here (one more than the other), as much as you and others on this thread like to pretend that no one going the speed limit can ever be in the wrong.

You are not in reality. My student driver can be out in the left lane..PASSING another car or cars and not doing it fast enough to some aggressive a holes satisfaction and is getting harassed from behind. Happens plenty.

There are so many drivers that think they are more important than anyone else on the road. Jerks.

See, now you've changed the scenario (because you know you were wrong before). In the original, the right hand lane was open, and the driver was just in the left lane for no reason. Don't do that. If you're on the left because you're passing, you pass then you get over so that other cars might be able to pass you on the left.

Share the road. As difficult as you may find this concept...it is not your private highway.

You've got to be trolling now, right? That's the whole point. Share the road by using the left lane to pass then moving to the right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Although I got tailgated yesterday on the Beltway going 10 over... in the right lane, with plenty of space to the left. Tailgaters are just nuts.

Even if someone is parking in the left lane, you're an idiot if you don't leave following distance it's a basic safety measure.

This thread isn’t about tailgaters. It’s about people who don’t follow the universal rules of the road. It’s inconsiderate and dangerous.

Again, if people in the left lane are already going at or above the speed limit, why are you still angry?

I’m not angry. Just trying to understand why they feel entitled to just stay there and block traffic.

It’s dangerous and even illegal in VA.

It’s also illegal almost everywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be daft I'm asking because I got the finger on 1-70 a few weeks ago.

There are only two lanes. I was going 10 miles OVER the posted 70 MPH in the left lane. Some guy flashed lights I got over then he gave me the finger as he drove by going 90. I was honestly clueless I have never in my 49 years heard that the left lane is only for passing. Is this true for two lane roads like I-70? Is everyone supposed to be in the right lane to make room for passing and people going 90 MPH?

Also he didn't get back over he stayed in the left.

You did NOTHING wrong. If you were going 10 UNDER in the left lane, then maybe pull over to the right. But if you're already speeding yourself then there is absolutely no need to give in to a crazy bully who wants to go 90.

It's not about a crazy bully. It is about creating conditions (you, in the left lane) that cause other drivers to behave in unpredictable ways. If you are in the left lane and ANYONE (no matter how fast they are driving or how fast you are driving) comes up behind you, it is your job to move to the right as safely and expeditiously as you can. Drivers who sit in the left lane, no matter how fast they are going, are NOT engaging in defensive driving behavior and are contributing to unsafe road conditions. Full stop.

100%. Why can't people just move over? I don't understand it. Slow drivers in L lane just don't want to let anyone pass so they make a point of sticking in the lane to be obstructionist. Because they want to manage the roadways. It's this self importance that is so off setting. If they quickly move over, they allow traffic to continue moving, decrease unnecessary maneuvers by other vehicles and allow faster traffic to stay solely in left lane.

But no. So many people want to prove a point on the road. They drive 70 so EVERYONE must drive the same speed or be damned. It takes 5 seconds to move over. Honestly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be daft I'm asking because I got the finger on 1-70 a few weeks ago.

There are only two lanes. I was going 10 miles OVER the posted 70 MPH in the left lane. Some guy flashed lights I got over then he gave me the finger as he drove by going 90. I was honestly clueless I have never in my 49 years heard that the left lane is only for passing. Is this true for two lane roads like I-70? Is everyone supposed to be in the right lane to make room for passing and people going 90 MPH?

Also he didn't get back over he stayed in the left.

Were you actively passing another car? If you weren't, stay in the right lane. If you were, finish passing and move to the right lane. This is particularly important on two-lane highways. Have you ever driven on the southernmost part of the NJ Turnpike? It’s two lanes each way for 30 miles. With signs that say STAY RIGHT PASS LEFT all over it. Yet we constantly get stuck behind cars traveling right next to each other going the same exact speed, completely oblivious to the miles of blocked angry drivers behind them. Maddening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be daft I'm asking because I got the finger on 1-70 a few weeks ago.

There are only two lanes. I was going 10 miles OVER the posted 70 MPH in the left lane. Some guy flashed lights I got over then he gave me the finger as he drove by going 90. I was honestly clueless I have never in my 49 years heard that the left lane is only for passing. Is this true for two lane roads like I-70? Is everyone supposed to be in the right lane to make room for passing and people going 90 MPH?

Also he didn't get back over he stayed in the left.

You did NOTHING wrong. If you were going 10 UNDER in the left lane, then maybe pull over to the right. But if you're already speeding yourself then there is absolutely no need to give in to a crazy bully who wants to go 90.

Errr…no one should just be hanging out in the left lane.

In fact, it’s illegal in many areas.

+1 daft.