The New Passing Lane
By baierman, Motorist.
When I learned to drive, I distinctly remember being taught that when driving on major highways and multi-lane roads, the left lane was the passing lane.
To steal a quote from Driver’s Ed: “A passing lane or overtaking lane is the lane on a multi-lane highway or motorway closest to the center of the road.”
The left lane then, I thought, was the lane to pass slower cars or drive faster.
This is no longer true.
The left lane is rapidly becoming the traffic lane or the slower lane. Much to my frustration and annoyance, I have come to see that more of my fellow motorists view it as simply another lane to drive in.
People rarely move over, or out of the left lane, when faster cars approach behind them. And most drivers don’t seem to care that they are slowing down the traffic flow by clogging up the left lane. The old trick of flashing your brights as a way to say “move over,” is also routinely ignored.
Nothing makes my blood boil on the road, more than this. But I will not rant. I will suggest an alternative.
There is a new passing lane out there. It’s not the HOV lane or the emergency lane. It’s the right lane.(Yes, even liberals have to realize the Right is right, every once in a while.)
Typically, the right lane is the slowest lane, Grandmas lane. Also, the lane that usually merges on coming traffic. But, in my recent long drives, I have been using it more and more to pass slower cars.
In fact on Sunday, I pretty much stayed in the right lane while driving on the crowded LIE. It was faster to move over to the right to pass cars, then stay in the left behind a driver who refused to move.
Look, I realize the right lane will never become the true passing lane. As the exiting/entrance lane, it’s bound to have people driving slower. But, if you keep your eyes open on the road, you’ll notice that most people prefer the middle, left and HOV lanes. One slower guy in those lanes fucks it up for the rest of us. Meanwhile, there’s 1/2 mile stretches of clean road on the right.
It’s as if drivers think the right lane brandishes them as losers or slow-pokes.
I have no such fear. I just want to get where I’m going and will use the lanes available to me to do so. More and more, it’s the right lane that allows me to pass and stay at the speed I like.
Fellow motorists and Desonesto readers, in an environment where so many people are not abiding by the rules of the road, you need to keep your eyes open and adjust.
Don’t get left behind motorists who have forgotten the left is for passing and those traveling faster.Look right, and find the opening and use it when you can. Drive safe.
