PSA: It is ILLEGAL in VA to drive slow in the left lane of any multi lane road

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:lol as if the problem in Virginia isn’t actually everyone going 75 in the left lane and then entitled jerks want to do 85-90.

That’s the real issue here and if you haven’t experienced it I suggest you drive more.

Yes but 75 in left lane and the people coming up at 85-90 --- you have to get out of left lane or you will get a ticket. As I said above troopers will ticket you, not the speeders. The left lane driver is the one that causes accidents not the speeding by itself.

Wrong. Let's do a quick review of Virginia law. Unlike many states, Virginia has made reckless driving a class 1 misdemeanor (that means, a criminal offense) and carries a minimum $250 fine. Going 20 mph over the speed limit or over 85mph is reckless driving. Troopers are going to ticket the reckless driver every time over a piddly $100 fine that won't hold up in court.

+1

PSA: It’s ILLEGAL to drive 20 mph in most states. it’s considered reckless driving. Left lane is not for driving fast, it’s for passing. After you pass, drive the posted speed limit.

PP, you sound like an ass. It’s drivers like you causing accidents, weaving in and out of traffic. You’re probably a jerk.

You are not allowed to exceed the speed limit even when passing.

+1

The speed limit is the speed limit.

And it’s illegal to park yourself in the left lane.

I’m going to guess 10/10 times a ticket will be written for the car going 55 in the left lane without moving over rather than the car going 65 in the left lane and moving over when another car approaches from behind.

[Anonymous]

Slow drivers would be vehicles who are slower by design. 18 wheelers, campers, cars and trucks pulling campers, school buses, farm equipment. For safety and ability to stop quickly, none of these should be in the left lane. If you are going fast enough for a ticket, say 80 mph is a reckless ticket, you need to slow down if there is other traffic.

[Anonymous]

Whether there’s a law or generally speaking and for safety, the left lane is for passing. If you are not passing anyone, you should be in the right lane. That’s what they teach in driver’s education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:lol as if the problem in Virginia isn’t actually everyone going 75 in the left lane and then entitled jerks want to do 85-90.

That’s the real issue here and if you haven’t experienced it I suggest you drive more.

Yes but 75 in left lane and the people coming up at 85-90 --- you have to get out of left lane or you will get a ticket. As I said above troopers will ticket you, not the speeders. The left lane driver is the one that causes accidents not the speeding by itself.

Wrong. Let's do a quick review of Virginia law. Unlike many states, Virginia has made reckless driving a class 1 misdemeanor (that means, a criminal offense) and carries a minimum $250 fine. Going 20 mph over the speed limit or over 85mph is reckless driving. Troopers are going to ticket the reckless driver every time over a piddly $100 fine that won't hold up in court.

+1

PSA: It’s ILLEGAL to drive 20 mph in most states. it’s considered reckless driving. Left lane is not for driving fast, it’s for passing. After you pass, drive the posted speed limit.

PP, you sound like an ass. It’s drivers like you causing accidents, weaving in and out of traffic. You’re probably a jerk.

You are not allowed to exceed the speed limit even when passing.

+1

The speed limit is the speed limit.

And it’s illegal to park yourself in the left lane.

I’m going to guess 10/10 times a ticket will be written for the car going 55 in the left lane without moving over rather than the car going 65 in the left lane and moving over when another car approaches from behind.

More simply, this the left lane should be used only for passing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many don't know this, but is actually against the law to drive slower in the left lane of ANY multi-lane road in VA. Not just a highway. Not just 66, 495, etc. But ANY roadway divided into 2 or more lanes. Even if there are stop lights.

The law: § 46.2-804.
Whenever any roadway has been divided into clearly marked lanes for traffic, drivers of vehicles shall obey the following:

1. Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions existing, shall be driven in the lane nearest the right edge or right curb of the highway when such lane is available for travel except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or in preparation for a left turn or where right lanes are reserved for slow-moving traffic as permitted in this section;

It does not mean driving lower than the speed limit. But "the speed of traffic." It's is relative, and "slower traffic keep right" is not about the speed limit. Thankfully, police are actually beginning to crackdown on left lane cruisers.

PSA: You are a JERK. You are the one causing all the accidents.

Nope. I've been in 2 accidents in my 28 years of driving in the DC area - neither were my fault.

Stay out of the left lane. Move over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:lol as if the problem in Virginia isn’t actually everyone going 75 in the left lane and then entitled jerks want to do 85-90.

That’s the real issue here and if you haven’t experienced it I suggest you drive more.

Yes but 75 in left lane and the people coming up at 85-90 --- you have to get out of left lane or you will get a ticket. As I said above troopers will ticket you, not the speeders. The left lane driver is the one that causes accidents not the speeding by itself.

Wrong. Let's do a quick review of Virginia law. Unlike many states, Virginia has made reckless driving a class 1 misdemeanor (that means, a criminal offense) and carries a minimum $250 fine. Going 20 mph over the speed limit or over 85mph is reckless driving. Troopers are going to ticket the reckless driver every time over a piddly $100 fine that won't hold up in court.

+1

PSA: It’s ILLEGAL to drive 20 mph in most states. it’s considered reckless driving. Left lane is not for driving fast, it’s for passing. After you pass, drive the posted speed limit.

PP, you sound like an ass. It’s drivers like you causing accidents, weaving in and out of traffic. You’re probably a jerk.

You are not allowed to exceed the speed limit even when passing.

+1

The speed limit is the speed limit.

And it’s illegal to park yourself in the left lane.

I’m going to guess 10/10 times a ticket will be written for the car going 55 in the left lane without moving over rather than the car going 65 in the left lane and moving over when another car approaches from behind.

More simply, this the left lane should be used only for passing.

If you are passing every single car and riding in the passing lane, you are driving waaayyyy to fast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many don't know this, but is actually against the law to drive slower in the left lane of ANY multi-lane road in VA. Not just a highway. Not just 66, 495, etc. But ANY roadway divided into 2 or more lanes. Even if there are stop lights.

The law: § 46.2-804.
Whenever any roadway has been divided into clearly marked lanes for traffic, drivers of vehicles shall obey the following:

1. Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions existing, shall be driven in the lane nearest the right edge or right curb of the highway when such lane is available for travel except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or in preparation for a left turn or where right lanes are reserved for slow-moving traffic as permitted in this section;

It does not mean driving lower than the speed limit. But "the speed of traffic." It's is relative, and "slower traffic keep right" is not about the speed limit. Thankfully, police are actually beginning to crackdown on left lane cruisers.

Driving in the left lane while not actively passing will get you a ticket. Even if going 60 in a 60. If you are going 60 in a 60 and cars are shooting all around you that is reckless driving on your part in VA. You could ticket the speeders but you also can get a ticket. In that case Troopers prefer to ticket the person in the left lane as that is the person creating the dangerous conditions.

I have never, ever heard of someone getting a ticket for going too slow in the left lane. I think you would need to be going well below the speed limit to get one, because that is the only time a cop is going to view you as "creating the dangerous condition." No one ever gets pulled over for going 62 in the left lane when the speed limit is 65, even if it is annoying to other drivers. It's not low enough to justify stopping traffic. Also, you would need to sustain that low speed over a certain distance. Because drivers' speeds fluctuate, they aren't going to ticket someone for dipping below the speed of traffic for a moment unless it actually causes a dangerous situation.

And OP is adamant that this law also applies to any road with more two or more lanes traveling in the same direction. While that may be true, the variable speeds of drivers on non-highways make this virtually impossible to enforce unless, again, a driver is goin signficantly below the speed limit over a sustained distance. Since drivers may slow to enter turning lanes, as they approach lights, etc., the idea that cops will pull over just anyone who is getting passed on the right on any multi-lane road is fantasy.

For the record, I don't go slow in the hammer lane (as my DH likes to call it) and I get annoyed with slow drivers in this lane as well. However, I view it as an inevitability and find safe ways to get around these drivers, or are patient until a safe pass is available to me. If you are getting so upset about this phenomenon that you are posting long screeds about it online, complete with references and illustrations, my guess is that you have a road rage issue and that actually poses a much bigger threat to me than the occasional slow driver in the left lane. I find those irritating, whereas I feel my well being is threatened by the rageful drivers I sometimes encounter, rapidly changing lanes, failing to signal, tailgating, and speeding. Drivers like this cause way more accidents than the occasional slow driver in the wrong lane, which is why cops rightfully focus on speeders and aggressive drivers when they ticket.

You are devoted to your cause (driving in the left lane, and not allowing others to pass safely)!! DP here. In most states, it is illegal to be in the left lane unless you are passing.

If you are not intelligent enough to interpret this law, you should not be driving. Staying in the left lane is considered aggressive driving in most states - you are causing other to have to go around you instead of you going around them, and that is dangerous. Period. Save your soliloquoy for the judge, who will promptly let your fine stand, and hoepfully double it, provided you don't seriously hurt someone (or worse) first.

[Anonymous]

Moving over when you see someone approaching from behind is the *safest* thing you can do.

I will never understand how people defend driving slower in the left lane. There literally is no reason, other than to be a bully. You're probably using your phones (even hands free) and think that slowing down makes you a better driver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:lol as if the problem in Virginia isn’t actually everyone going 75 in the left lane and then entitled jerks want to do 85-90.

That’s the real issue here and if you haven’t experienced it I suggest you drive more.

Everyone is NOT doing 75 in the left lane in VA. Way way too many people driving much slower than that and they’re trying to play vigilante traffic cop in the left lane.

It’s very simple. Stay in the right lane unless you’re passing. After you pass, move back to the right lane. This are just the basic, universal rules of the road. Don’t be a dick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Moving over when you see someone approaching from behind is the *safest* thing you can do.

I will never understand how people defend driving slower in the left lane. There literally is no reason, other than to be a bully. You're probably using your phones (even hands free) and think that slowing down makes you a better driver.

Yes, but if you’ve gotten to that point you’ve probably stayed in the left lane too long. Move back after you have passed. It’s really not that hard, people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:lol as if the problem in Virginia isn’t actually everyone going 75 in the left lane and then entitled jerks want to do 85-90.

That’s the real issue here and if you haven’t experienced it I suggest you drive more.

Yes but 75 in left lane and the people coming up at 85-90 --- you have to get out of left lane or you will get a ticket. As I said above troopers will ticket you, not the speeders. The left lane driver is the one that causes accidents not the speeding by itself.

Wrong. Let's do a quick review of Virginia law. Unlike many states, Virginia has made reckless driving a class 1 misdemeanor (that means, a criminal offense) and carries a minimum $250 fine. Going 20 mph over the speed limit or over 85mph is reckless driving. Troopers are going to ticket the reckless driver every time over a piddly $100 fine that won't hold up in court.

+1

PSA: It’s ILLEGAL to drive 20 mph in most states. it’s considered reckless driving. Left lane is not for driving fast, it’s for passing. After you pass, drive the posted speed limit.

PP, you sound like an ass. It’s drivers like you causing accidents, weaving in and out of traffic. You’re probably a jerk.

You are not allowed to exceed the speed limit even when passing.

+1

The speed limit is the speed limit.

And it’s illegal to park yourself in the left lane.

I’m going to guess 10/10 times a ticket will be written for the car going 55 in the left lane without moving over rather than the car going 65 in the left lane and moving over when another car approaches from behind.

More simply, this the left lane should be used only for passing.

If you are passing every single car and riding in the passing lane, you are driving waaayyyy to fast.

It’s all relative. It depends on how fast people are going in the right lane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one is getting ticketed in VA for driving slow in the left lane bc there are left exits, left turns, and left on-ramps. That’s the real reason driving around here is more stressful than a better planned out state.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/thousands-cited-for-slow-left-lane-driving-under-new-law/49121/?amp=1

Thousands of people have been fined since Virginia implemented a law setting penalties for driving too slowly in the left lane of a highway.

The law established a $100 fine for driving too slowly in the left lane, failing to stay to the right unless passing and other related violations.

“You should only be in the left hand lane when you are passing or overtaking another vehicle,” Virginia State Police First Sgt. Steven Mittendorff said. “Any other time, you should be over to right side of the highway.”

[Anonymous]

You can't obstruct traffic. Just get out of the left lane if you want to go slower. Slow drivers in the left lane create a lot of traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moving over when you see someone approaching from behind is the *safest* thing you can do.

I will never understand how people defend driving slower in the left lane. There literally is no reason, other than to be a bully. You're probably using your phones (even hands free) and think that slowing down makes you a better driver.

Yes, but if you’ve gotten to that point you’ve probably stayed in the left lane too long. Move back after you have passed. It’s really not that hard, people.

I absolutely hate drivers who "leap frog" their way down the road. Right lane, left lane, pass, right lane, left lane, pass.

I rode to Connecticut with a friend who did this the entire way. Nauseating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moving over when you see someone approaching from behind is the *safest* thing you can do.

I will never understand how people defend driving slower in the left lane. There literally is no reason, other than to be a bully. You're probably using your phones (even hands free) and think that slowing down makes you a better driver.

Yes, but if you’ve gotten to that point you’ve probably stayed in the left lane too long. Move back after you have passed. It’s really not that hard, people.

I absolutely hate drivers who "leap frog" their way down the road. Right lane, left lane, pass, right lane, left lane, pass.

I rode to Connecticut with a friend who did this the entire way. Nauseating.

That sounds like a "you" issue.

As long as you pass safely, there is nothing wrong with leap-frogging. It tends to keep the traffic moving and keeps everyone happy - slowpokes in the right lane, and left lane people who want to pass and/or go faster.