By Todd on Nov 10, 2008

Lane courtesy is somthing that would benefit the public greatly if it was practice 99% of the time and enforce to a high extent. I think (I could be wrong) that the reason why lane courtesty is not enforce is because it helps traffic to flow at a faster pace and anything that is faster is look at as an evil thing based on those safety advocates who say “faster is bad” and “slow is safe.” The driving public really needs to WAKE UP and bring back the effective “Keep Right Except to Pass” techneque to all U.S. states and the most important part is to PRACTICE IT 99% of the time.

By Eve on Oct 21, 2008

I was traveling on Rt 22 this morning (going the speed limit of 50 mph, in the far right lane) think this was Monmouth Junction……..there was a woman going about 35-40 in the left hand lane, with a cop following right behind her………….this was going on for about 2-3 miles……….he never bothered putting his lights on to warn her to get over……….just stayed right behind her. Finally she did turn left. Possibly this is the reason why people stay in the left hand lane, the cops don’t bother doing anything??? I actually was very surprised, as I have seen cops turn their lights on to get people to move over

By Tonja on Jun 24, 2008

You are a Tool Doug.

You don’t care, you should.

People pointing their middle finger at you aren’t just flipping you off, they are expressing how high your IQ really is.

There is no reason why anyone should be on the road if they know their actions are making other drivers irate. If you are getting high on that, you need serious anger management.

By Seth on May 23, 2008

I had the pleasure of responding to a letter to the editor in my local (NY) paper. The writer was complaining about all the trucks on the interstate passing her on both the left and the right!

Of course I did my best to explain that she was contributing to the unsafe conditions, and that if she was driving on the right when not passing, that getting passed on the right simply wouldn’t happen.

She then replied to my letter stating that she’s perfectly within her rights to drive in the center lane and that by staying in the middle she avoids interfering with the entering and exiting traffic.

I didn’t bother responding, but if I did, I would’ve reminded her that her initial complaint referenced trucks passing her on the 1.5 mile long bridge over the Hudson River. Not a whole lot of interchanges along that stretch of highway, lady.

Unfortunately, it’s pretty tough to convince people to do the right thing, when they won’t even acknowledge what the right thing is.

By JOE on May 23, 2008

Ohhhh, welcome to Oklahoma. Again, here’s a law that’s totally unenforced in this state. While rare, I’ve even seen a few of these clowns hold up a police cruiser behind them….clearly breaking the law. Nobody gets pulled over for this. This left lane hogging creates a dangerous situation in which one vehicle causes multiple lane changes and frustration which can lead to road rage….all because some bonehead is stubborn. It’s an absolute safety issue not being resolved by law enforcement. It’s one of the most common complaints I hear from my co-workers. It’s a common complaint on local blogs….still nothing gets done about it.

You will see some on these blogs try to justify it. They say why should they move over to allow you to speed. The law is quite clear and independent of the speed. Sometimes I see so many in the left lane that I think maybe we should change the law to make the right lane the fast lane. Of course then they WOULD move to the right lane. It’s a Asinine act.

By Ernie Jilek on May 23, 2008

I lived in Texas for 4 years and am back in Louisiana and I still can’t figure out what or should I say why do many Texas drivers seem to be so fixiated with driving in the left lane and usually fail they to yield to faster traffic or traffic wanting to pass when they are properly signaled. And the look they give you in their rearview mirror seems to say “the hell you say, you actually want ME, to move out of the way for you, to get by ME.”

By Geraldine Lancaster on May 19, 2008

Doug, You truly are an IDIOT, the defiant type that thinks everyone around you is meek and lowly. I’m sure you’re middle aged, fat, and overweight, a truly frustrated has-been, wishing you could still compete somewhere in the world. Ya think you’re not in a hurry?? I’m the type that’ll pass you on the right, pull in front of you, and show you how I like to drive in “your” left lane. Don’t like that, tough guy?? Pull over and try to “assault” me! PLEASE. I’m just a little beerbellyless boy, shy and quiet, remember? Otherwise, get back on your tricycle, grab your ball, and go home to Mommy and have her teach you how to read, then read your local rules of the road; it’s that little book sitting over there next to the Bible.

By Andy on May 15, 2008

Seth,

Good points all around, especially those concerning people who block up the center lanes, leaving the right lane open, because they don’t want to have to pay attention to their driving.

There are so many people who recognize how ridiculous left lane hogging behavior is, that together they should be able to have a positive impact.

Here is how this can be done:

1. Every time you come up behind someone in the left lane who does not move right to let you get by, give them ample time, and then pass safely on the right.

2. After the pass, move back to the left lane (normally not a proper move, but this is to give them a taste of their own medicine, for positive, educational purposes).

3. Once in the left lane (make the pass safely, if you have to cut them off, they probably are not a true left lane hog), gradually slow down, more and more and more, until the slowpoke finally gets the message and moves right.

4. Once they move right, speed back up and move right yourself, to solidify the message.

5. Watch your mirror. If the slowpoke moves back to the left lane after you move on, IMMEDIATELY move back to the left and gradually slow down again, as many times as you have the schedule to allow, or until you reach your destination, so long as traffic does not become congested (gotta stay safe).

If enough people started doing this, the inconvenience to the left lane hogs on the road would cram the message into their heads, whether they were the oblivious type, the self appointed speed monitor type, or just plain clueless.

MAKE them get a clue.

By Seth Friedman on May 14, 2008

Hello,
Just wanted to share some thoughts:

1. The problem with the ’slower traffic keep right’ signs is that nobody ever thinks they’re driving slowly. It doesn’t matter that you’re driving 75 mph, you should still be to the far right, allowing the person driving 80 to pass you on the left. Once they’ve passed, they should move to the right as well, because someone else might want to go 90.

2. Road rage doesn’t just happen — it’s caused. When you observe an instance of road rage, don’t curse that driver. Look around for the idiot who caused it.

3. On 3 lane highways, I’m most frustrated by center lane drivers. I want to move out of the left lane as quickly as possible after passing. I hate being stuck in the left lane due to the center lane hogs failing to move to the far right.

4. The fact is that I’m rarely in the left lane. Why should I be when there’s usually an empty right lane available? I feel there’s no such thing as passing on the right. I drive on the right. If I catch up to the car in front of me, I pass it on the left and then move back over to the right. If I happen to drive past anyone on my left at some point, that means that they shouldn’t have been there in the first place. How can I be faulted for someone else’s failure to keep right?

5. If you’re following the keep right - pass left rule, then there’s no need to check your rear view mirror for cars coming up behind you. If you’re not passing someone, then you shouldn’t be in that lane.

6. Enforcement of lane courtesy may be severely lacking, but what’s worse is that lane courtesy education is non-existent. Too many people simply don’t know that what they’re doing is wrong, and that they’re contributing to increased traffic and unsafe conditions.

Thanks for reading, and have a safe day.

By Altaff Aumeeruddy on Feb 25, 2008

Hi all, Dear all, yes I totally agree that lane hogging can cause more harm as well as leads to other form incidents such as Tail Gating. I personally think that the Department of Transports needs to do something quickly before it becomes a serious epidemic. Solutions this problem are:

1) Congested motorways such as the motorway in the UK, the Autoroute in France, the Autobahn in Germany, the Autostrada in Italy, the Autopista in Spain and Mexico, the Highway or Freeway in USA, the motorway in Australia, other forms of motorways in Dubai, Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore where traffic is becoming a major problem and absolutely headache. Unfortunately it is the world disease now. Getting back to the solutions to the problem. Have major signs on the sides of motorways informing drivers about lane hogging in various languages probably four languages - English, French, Spanish and German for those in Europe only.

2) Tougher fines for drivers who continue do lane hogging and maybe points deducted from drivers - a word of caution must be implemented to the driver first as first offence, then a fine for the second and third offence which is automatically recorded on the Police computer - the fine should be £150 and fourth offence points deducted from persistent drivers who do lane hogging without considering other drivers.

3) Chevrons should be put into place where there are major trouble spots of lane hogging which might eventually cause tailgating which eventually leads to road rage.

4) Video evidences must be implemented in the court - for magistrate’s court hearings with the number plate of the vehicle and driver caught on camera - for points to be deducted.

5) Train future drivers about tailgating, lane hogging, road rage, speeding and chatter boxing - on the mobile in a new hazard perception test for future drivers - this should be the second part of hazard perception test and etc.

By Kimberlie on Feb 15, 2008

God I’m HOME….with people who feel the same as me about lane courtesy…and ANTHONY I absolutely agree about the right red light turners. So often I have the opportunity to turn right and beat traffic goin both ways (as I make a left across traffic shortly after that light) but can’t because some d*ck is in the middle of the lane parked a full car length form the line. Guess they figure if i can’t take this light no body can.

By JL on Feb 13, 2008

DOUG,

YOU ARE THE PROBLEM. NOT THE SOLUTION. PLEASE KEEP YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE BY USING THIS THING CALLED “COMMON SENSE”.

By Anthony on Feb 12, 2008

I agree with all of you. If people were more courteous then driving would be fun again. (in any car, not just miatas :P)

One question I have though. What about right turns on red? If I am the “leader” of the left lane, I always try to get over so that I’m not blocking a red right turner. And if it’s not possible, I always get as far to the left of the right lane, so that they might be able to squeeze by me.

Shouldn’t that also be included in lane courtesy?

By Joe on Feb 9, 2008

Glen Smith, I couldn’t have said it better myself. One of the most common complaints by my co-workers and friends are left lane hogs. “SLOWER TRAFFIC MUST KEEP RIGHT” and such signs are rare around here, Oklahoma. Enforcement is practically non-existent for left lane hogging. Ever notice how they get over when a cop comes up behind them. I’m always watching my rear view mirror and try to judge whats coming up behind me. If a vehicle is fast approaching me, I try to be out of the way before they get there. It just makes no sense for a variety of reasons to block the far left lane.

By Nicholas on Jan 9, 2008

I am curious. They say you can’t pass on the right on the Autobahn, but what if you have a jerk on the left lane and you want to go faster? Shouldn’t the one on the left lane get a ticket? How else do you pass? Also in the areas of the Autobahn with 3 lanes, Douglas mentions the word “Autobahnen”, is that a typo or is that a name Germans gave to the Autobahn areas with 3 lanes?

I believe in freedom of speed in a safe manner, and with proper laws freedom also brings the most safety. I hope one day most Americans will gain the knowledge and enough common sense that domination with speed limits is not fair to the safe drivers and it’s simply never going to work. Domination and Submission is not the name of the game, Cooperation is. Dominating A Holes out there think that submitting is cooperating but when it hurts the other one it is not cooperation! Speed Limits on Interstate highways does not allow cooperation and causes anger and frustration, and anxiety, because it is just not fair and it’s a hurtful restraint. So if a safe responsible driver is experiencing these negative feelings from being forced to do a speed limit on the highway when conditions make it safe to enjoy going the speed he or she likes to go, then one is hurting mentally and so therefore there is no cooperation. The survival of the fittest are those who cooperate to help and be good to all sides, not to retrain them from enjoying something when it’s done safely, and not to discriminate anyone either. I want my right (not a stupid privilage or any other wrong thing to call it) to American Autobahn. I want my American Autobahn. Life is too short for this B.S. I can die tomorrow so therefore I never have time for this speed limit slavery, and we who want American Autobahn don’t want the unnesessery risks that come with speed limits to make politicians richer. I want proper safety laws enforced on the highways that are truly for safety puposes and protects freedom of speed (like lane courtesy), now that’s cooperation.

By Walter Abramczyk on Jan 8, 2008

This response is for Douggie, from Michigan.

Hi Doug.

Can you say “self-centered”?

“If you’re not part of the solution, Then you’re part of the problem.”

Buckle-up and drive SAFELY, It’s the law. (It may even keep you from killing yourself, or someone else as well!)

By Glen Smith on Jan 7, 2008

I could not agree with the idea of lane disipline more, but one aspect of the idea seems to be always overlooked. Moving out of the left lane is the proper response IF you don’t want to increase your speed, and traffic is light enough. As traffic increases moving back and forth from the left lane to the right is counter productive to efficient traffic flow. Therefore, if a driver must stay in the left, then they MUST CONSTANTLY continue to pass the traffic to their immediate right! If you won’t do this, then get out of the left lane and allow the traffic to flow!

By James Young on Dec 30, 2007

Charles writes:

{Those with a mindset like Doug should be reminded; possessing a driver’s license is a privilege and not a right!}

That is just not true. SCOTUS has denominated possession of a driver’s license an entitlement, an amalgam of pure right and pure privilege. Privilege would mean that the state could revoke a license without notice, due process or reason. Instead, once obtained, a license can only be revoked through due process. Yes, many states ignore or circumvent this protection, excusing the revocation as necessary to enforce debt laws, child support, enforcement suspicions, etc.

Further, with mobility an essential paradigm of modern life, required for work, for health, and other social intercourse, and in the absence of effective (much less efficient) public transportation, we have little choice but to drive from where we are to where we need to be and to haul the necessary accoutrements of life. Does not the state bear a burden of assuring that as many of its citizens as possible have access to a full life as possible rather than putting up artificial barriers?

{In 2006 (the latest statistics available), there were four traffic deaths per hour, maybe Doug and others with his degree of mindset might take a minute before next getting behind the wheel, to ask themselves if they are in-part a cause?}

So what? Fatalities per hour is a meaningless statistic since it ignores the level of activity against which fatalities are measured. A much more meaningful and useful measure is fatalities per 100,000,000 vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Compare an hour in California to an hour in Vermont. Fatalities per hour is essentially meaningless since the VMT in CA is probably several thousand times the VMT in Vermont. Overall, we are enjoying the lowest fatality rates in our history.

By Charles on Dec 30, 2007

Those with a mindset like Doug should be reminded; possessing a driver’s license is a privilege and not a right! As populations expand and roadways are increasingly congested, motorists like Doug, with self control issues will be first to be culled from the heard.

There are pockets throughout the nation with elevated levels of abhorrent, immature and disrespectful drivers. In the eastern states, Massachusetts and Southeastern Pennsylvania rank highest, the latter attributable to Philadelphia’s a densely populated urban area coupled with a minimum driving age of sixteen.

In 2006 (the latest statistics available), there were four traffic deaths per hour, maybe Doug and others with his degree of mindset might take a minute before next getting behind the wheel, to ask themselves if they are in-part a cause?

By Mark on Dec 17, 2007

I can’t wait until Doug comes across some road rager with a gun.
They wrote a book about you Doug;
“How to Deal With A Holes”

By Don Law on Dec 10, 2007

No wonder I hate driving in California! Thanks Doug.

2 posts I wrote about road rage (don’t worry, no ads on the site so it isnt blogspam…)
http://glucker.blogspot.com/2007/03/love-is-all-you-need-you-son-of-bitch.html

&

http://glucker.blogspot.com/2007/03/what-happened-to-drivers-ed-in.html

By steve on Dec 5, 2007

COMMONE COURTESY. I wished. Way too many people think “i dont have to move, let them go around” And they dont know why people have road rage. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Its not any other drivers job to control the speed of others. When i see some one coming up behind me, I move. Why cant we all just get along

By Ronzo on Dec 4, 2007

I have a feature on my car that really helps. It is the rear veiw mirrors system. If I see some one gaining on me I get out of thier way. As someone else mentioned, It might be someone with a need for speed.

>>Superb, so do I and i have found that I can travel as quickly in the middle lanes as the left. I get out of the way of others, but when it’s clear I move left again because I am usually 2-7 mph faster than the middle lane traffic. It’s really no big deal, unless you are as insecure as Doug.

I used to be like him, but I grew out of it after being pulled over for NOT moving over a lane quickly enough(there were 2 Semi-trucks in the middle and Right lanes). Anyway, there is a law in Georgia that “SLOWER TRAFFIC MUST KEEP RIGHT” and if Doug wishes to feel superior he is only choosing one for of law breaking over another.

Also that kind of Driving, Doug, is considered to be provocative/aggressive and it is a reckless driving ticket that you will get, not a simple speeding ticket like me :P

No moral high ground for you Dougie-san

By Eric on Dec 4, 2007

Most NE states have “no traveling in the left
laws”. Simple “keep right except to pass” signs might reduce some road rage.

By Robert Logsdon on Dec 3, 2007

I have a feature on my car that really helps. It is the rear veiw mirrors system. If I see some one gaining on me I get out of thier way. As someone else mentioned, It might be someone with a need for speed.

RWL in SW IL