Get the flock out of the left lane.

[Abercrombie FJR]

I would really like to see them crack down on this.

https://www.valleynewslive.com/home/headlines/Lingering-in-the-Left-Lane-Police-Crack-Down-on-Drivers-Holding-Up-Traffic-307865991.html

 

[bigjohnsd]

Clueless drivers across the country are getting pulled over not for speeding but for going too *slow* in the passing lane."I would agree going 90 is more dangerous than going 50. But doing 50 does come with some concern and some consequences," said Lt. Col. Patrick Callahan of the NJ State Police.

At least 38 states, including North Dakota and Minnesota, have laws in place to fine for lingering in the left lane. In five states, fines could be up to a thousand dollars and 22 states classify the violation as a misdemeanor.

Supporters of the laws say they reduce accidents and anger on the road.

Enforcing the law in New Jersey is largely up to state troopers. Callahan says not all left-leaning drivers are targeted, they're more focused on cars that are obstructing traffic and driving under the speed limit.

A recent survey found slow driving in the left lane is the number 3 cause of road rage. Tailgating is number two and texting is number 1.

If I were a Trooper for a week, I'd spend the entire week writing tickets for this offense.

I call them "Lane Patrols" they sit in the left lane quite self righteously going right at or 1 mph below the speed limit holding up traffic and forcing folks to illegally pass on the right.

I'd like to see the bastages in Europe hanging in the Left lane and watch them shit when a Mercedes, Porsche or BMW or Maybach comes blasting up behind them going 100 mph faster than they are, on second thought, I wouldn't want to see that cause someone would die.

 

[Pterodactyl]

I find that MN is one of the worst states for Lane Patrolling. You're right about driving in Germany. The left lane is all business. We lived there for 6 years and I always thought of it as the Hyper-space zone.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Guess it isn't only California after all, huh?

 

[mcatrophy]

...I'd like to see the bastages in Europe hanging in the Left lane and watch them shit when a Mercedes, Porsche or BMW or Maybach comes blasting up behind them going 100 mph faster than they are, on second thought, I wouldn't want to see that cause someone would die.

We have the lane-hoggers in the UK, but, in my limited experience, not so much in continental Europe.

We now have legislation making it an offence not to move out of the overtaking lane when traffic comes up behind, but unfortunately we don't have sufficient patrols to enforce the law. Same with hand-held cell-phones, illegal but still very commonly practised.

 

[BkerChuck]

This is illegal in PA also but I've never so much as heard of it being enforced. I wish that it was.

 

[08FJR4ME]

I will have to talk with my nephew. He is a state trooper. Done all the time here so I imagine it is not enforced also.

Dave

 

[LKLD]

It's nice to see that some law enforcement is taking action on this. We have the law, here in Flatistan, but have never seen or heard of anyone getting a ticket for it. This is especially frustrating on 4 lane (2/2) roads.

 

[Old Guy]

I'd have to vote for my home state of Arkansas as the worst I've ridden in for this. I've recently been to Arizona and South Dakota, and in both cases I had very little trouble until I got back to Arkansas. It's not that it doesn't happen in the western states, but since traffic is lighter it doesn't seem to happen as often. I don't mind slowing down to let someone finish a pass, but if they pull out there and block the lane, they should be going fast enough to get the pass completed within a few miles

I don't drive as fast in my V-8 pickup (can't afford the gas), but if I encounter someone in the right lane going even slower than me, I'll speed up, merge left, go by, pull back in, and slow back down. Apparently, that driving technique is above the abilities of the average driver.

 

[jmdaniel]

I find that MN is one of the worst states for Lane Patrolling. You're right about driving in Germany. The left lane is all business. We lived there for 6 years and I always thought of it as the Hyper-space zone.

Absolutely. I'm FROM there, and find the left laners, driving exactly at the speed limit, to be the best example of the rampant passive aggressiveness that thrives in that state.

I live in Texas now, and believe it or not, when driving on two lane roads with wide shoulders, cars will often move over to the shoulders, to let folks pass them.

 

[RFlagg42]

I'm convinced that many people who do it are so terrified of driving that they are drawn to a lane where they know that other cars can only be on one side of them.

I live in Texas now, and believe it or not, when driving on two lane roads with wide shoulders, cars will often move over to the shoulders, to let folks pass them.

+1. When you're not in a big city, TX drivers are without a doubt the most courteous and un-selfish drivers I've ever seen with regard to letting folks pass them.

 

[BakerBoy]

I find that every state I've ridden in has the worst left-lane bandits. The issue is everywhere.

 

[Top_Speed1]

LLC - left lane cruisers; as us CDL guys call 'em

I travel the 2 lane NYS Thruway all the time. They linger in the left lane, talk on the phone (in-hand), drift into their conversations etc...terrible! They don't wanna get over cause they think they'll get "hung". It does take more effort to use the left lane for a passing lane only, but a lot of drivers are too stink'n lazy anymore and to cruise the left is just so easy for them. Bass-turds!

 

[rbentnail]

I find that every state I've ridden in has the worst left-lane bandits. The issue is everywhere.

True dat!! Interesting that the article talks specifically about NJ. I learned to drive there in the early 70s and it was common knowledge even then that the "Keep Left Except to Pass" and "Slower Traffic Keep Right" signs actually meant something and were routinely enforced. Back then left hand lane lingering earned you a "failure to keep to the right" performance award.

 

[Warpdrv]

My buddy back in the day had a sticker on his ski rack in large letters......

When the people looked in their mirror it was plain as day and he said it worked very well.....

I hate those douchebags that just can't get the flock out of the way...... But the nice thing is - with the FJR, the second there is an opening to go around them on the right, I'll take it..... they don't even have time to react and I'm around them.....

Unfortunately its dangerous and I shouldn't have to do that, since it is the law in WI here too..... shame nothing ever gets done about it.

I have noticed that with the LR4's on the mirrors, and the new FJR's flash to pass brights button seriously gets the attention of morons to perhaps do the right thing.....

One nice thing is the speed limit finally went up to 70 here......

 

[TomInPA]

I noticed on the map they flashed briefly in that video, that PA does not have laws on the books for driving in the left lane...figures.

I really don't get too upset at this. I use the right lane as necessary and while I don't like making those kinds of lane changes, I can pass huge lines of cars on the right, as everyone lines up for a parade in the left.

 

[BakerBoy]

Human nature is interesting, isn't it?

I'm amazed by those who are "brave followers, bashful leaders"... they tailgate and move left and right behind you until you move over, then once clear to speed on ahead, they seem to lose the will to do so. Seems subconsciously they're suddenly 'exposed' and vulnerable for being pulled over as the obvious speeding target for LEOs...

 

[08FJR4ME]

I gave up years ago. Now I just zip aroung everyone. The tailgating and flashing of lights could make for a bad day with the wrong folk.

Dave

 

[bluesdog]

+1^

Yeah, tailgating is particularly dumb on a bike. Passing on the right is something I generally avoid, but will do so quickly if the fool won't relinquish the left lane. Gotta be wary, tho'

Damn near got myself a squid with the cage yesterday, as I was indicating a right turn from the curb lane, some t-shirted moron on a sportbike cut up from my right side. Luckily I've developed a habit of checking both side mirrors while driving the car as well as on the bike, so I managed to avoid turning into him.

BTW. it's now officially illegal to clog the left lanes in BC, and I've noticed new road signs to that effect.