florida close to banning cruising in left lane...
#31
Lexus Fanatic
Watch the video I posted from Arizona. What the cop should do is stop the driver who is impeding the flow of traffic in the left lane because that is what improves roadway safety. Listen to what he says about why its not okay to drive in the left lane just because you are doing the speed limit. Again, we've talked about this...he's a Sheriff and you aren't...he knows what he's talking about...lets listen to him instead of pretending our opinions have value in the face of his training and experience.
I am for traffic enforcement that improves safety. Stopping drivers for speeding when they are doing a safe 85th percentile speed does not improve roadway safety, this does.
I am for traffic enforcement that improves safety. Stopping drivers for speeding when they are doing a safe 85th percentile speed does not improve roadway safety, this does.
#32
Lead Lap
Yes, I watched the video before I made my last comment, and listened to the Sheriff. What he actually said in the video was correct....but was only part of the truth. What I said was also correct.....He did not point out the fact that the left-lane laws may contradict speed-limit laws, depending on who is going how fast or slow. That is not pretending that my opinion (or yours) has any more value than his, but stating a fact.
There are a lot of very aggressive drivers here in SoCal. On the way to Kernville, I was on 60 East in the HOV lane with two passengers in the car going 78 in a 65. Aggressive Altima Boy entered the HOV illegally across a bunch of painted lines and got right on my ***. I could not exit the HOV legally so I maintained my speed. I am not going more than 13 over or exiting illegally for some jackass because I know I will be the one who gets a ticket, not the jackass. As soon as it was legal to exit the HOV lane, I did so. I got the bird from both people in the 2.5L Altima and the guy drove like a menace after that. This is what you are potentially dealing with though and it’s much better to avoid it.
As an aside, the 2.5L Altima driver is probably in the <600 FICO department.
#34
Lexus Fanatic
Yes, I watched the video before I made my last comment, and listened to the Sheriff. What he actually said in the video was correct....but was only part of the truth. What I said was also correct.....He did not point out the fact that the left-lane laws may contradict speed-limit laws, depending on who is going how fast or slow. That is not pretending that my opinion (or yours) has any more value than his, but stating a fact.
He actually did point that out, and explained to the people who he stopped that the left lane law had nothing to do with the speed limit. Driving the speed limit is not an excuse to drive in the left lane when not passing.
#35
just got back from a week-long vacation in FL and noticed how folks out there drive very differently than in CA. it's very obvious us californians are very poor (i.e. selfish) at driving, so i'm now more aware of my actions to not contribute to the stigma that CA drivers are terrible.
to the topic at hand, i've always been aware the left is for passing only. that's how it is in europe as stated already.
to the topic at hand, i've always been aware the left is for passing only. that's how it is in europe as stated already.
#36
Lexus Fanatic
On a different note, since there are a lot of comments here about who are the "best" and "worst" drivers in various states (such as timmy0tool's, above), from what I have seen, although I have not driven in all 50 states, where I HAVE driven, mostly East of the Mississippi, I haven't really seen much difference in driver-quality from one state to another. It's not like drivers are all saints in one state and maniacs just across the border in another. In general, most drivers, regardless of where you are, are safe and sensible. I've seen a few exceptions here and there, like big semi-truckers going way over the limit and getting pulled over by State Troopers on the Ohio Turnpike, and people discourteous on the NJ Turnpike, but most drivers are generally courteous and sensible. As I have stated before, though, as far as individual vehicles go, in general, Ford Mustang V8 drivers and those in 3-series BMWs do tend to be more aggressive than average, but even those two vehicles have (mostly) safe drivers....you can't necessarily stereotype them.
Last edited by mmarshall; 02-20-24 at 04:10 PM.
#37
Lexus Fanatic
#39
Lead Lap
#40
Intermediate
I fully understand the intent of this law (and actually agree with part of it), but one potential problem is that it contradicts other traffic laws that state that the left lane is for the speed limit....NOT for speeding. So, If you have someone in the left lane who is obeying the law and doing the limit, and is holding up impatient or overzealous drivers behind him, then what does the cop do...enforce the speed-limit rule (which he or she may already be doing with radar or laser), or pull the driver over who is at the head of the line holding things up? Frankly, if I was a cop, I wouldn't want to be in that position.....and that was a situation that the sheriff in the video failed to take into account.
As for what a cop mightt do in your scenario, I guess it depends on what mood he's in. In theory he could book both, but in practice would have to pick one.
#41
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
Edit: Didn't do much driving in NY apart from arriving at my destination and leaving. Used the subway for travelling while I was there.
Last edited by Blaze876; 02-21-24 at 06:54 AM.
#42
Lexus Fanatic
I'm not sure I understand what you mean by a contradiction in other traffic laws. Speed and lane discipline are two separate things. All lanes have to adhere to the speed limit. However, even if you're driving at the speed limit, common courtesy and lane discipline dictates that you're supposed to drive in the furthest lane to the right in which you can maintain your speed, and only use the left lane for overtaking. The practical exception to this is when traffic is heavy enough for all lanes to be used to maintain traffic flow, although generally the left lane traffic will be passing that on the right.
As for what a cop mightt do in your scenario, I guess it depends on what mood he's in. In theory he could book both, but in practice would have to pick one.
As for what a cop mightt do in your scenario, I guess it depends on what mood he's in. In theory he could book both, but in practice would have to pick one.
Reality is the majority of traffic cops understand that the speed limit is not the backbone of the roads safety. Hence why most cops won’t stop you unless you are driving faster than the average speed on the roadway. If it’s a 65 and the average speed is 75 and you’re doing 75-80, you’re not likely to be stopped even if you pass a cop. If the average speed is 65 and you’re doing 80, you’re going to get stopped. Cops use their judgement to decide when to stop people driving over the speed limit, and they choose not to stop the majority of those drivers because they are still driving safely.
What is dangerous is differentials in speed, it’s people driving faster than the other drivers around them or driving slower. That’s why the left lane campers are dangerous.
#43
Lexus Test Driver
Also just don't be a speed limit stickler.... Nobody enjoys that.
If you're going the speed limit in the right lane and someone passes you in the left lane, obviously exceeding the speed limit, only a weirdo would be upset by that.
What is upsetting is when someone in front of you has decided to insert themselves into your speed decision by blocking you from passing.
If you're going the speed limit in the right lane and someone passes you in the left lane, obviously exceeding the speed limit, only a weirdo would be upset by that.
What is upsetting is when someone in front of you has decided to insert themselves into your speed decision by blocking you from passing.
#44
Lexus Test Driver
Also just don't be a speed limit stickler.... Nobody enjoys that.
If you're going the speed limit in the right lane and someone passes you in the left lane, obviously exceeding the speed limit, only a weirdo would be upset by that.
What is upsetting is when someone in front of you has decided to insert themselves into your speed decision by blocking you from passing.
If you're going the speed limit in the right lane and someone passes you in the left lane, obviously exceeding the speed limit, only a weirdo would be upset by that.
What is upsetting is when someone in front of you has decided to insert themselves into your speed decision by blocking you from passing.
No friggin wonder why people use the middle lane and set the cruise at exact speed limit and won't budge.
You really thinking they are trying to control people's speed on purpose?
If so, wow that's wild, hmmm
#45
Lexus Fanatic