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this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2023
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The passing lane is for passing.
I know, I know.... tough to understand, what with the fact that the lane is named after what it is meant for and all.
The passing lane is for passing, but if someone is passing at 65 mph and you want to pass at 75 mph, you do not get special super duper passing privileges. Calm down and drive empathetically.
In the state of Georgia it is illegal to be the slow thing in the fast lane. You are required to move over for faster traffic.
Maybe in theory but I've never seen that enforced in the 30+ years I've lived here.
Same in Tennessee.
In fact, if you are in the left lane, you are supposed to pass, then move over to the right as soon as there is a reasonable gap in traffic. When people do not do this, the traffic behind them is allowed to create an audible signal to indicate them to move over. If they do not, you are permitted to pass on the right if there is ample room.
You won’t ever see a state trooper pulling left lane hoggers though…
What if you're driving the speed limit? Is it illegal to be the slow one when you're driving the limit and others want to go faster?
It's still better to make way and switch to the right lane to let them pass even if you are already driving at speed limit, imo.
Avoids people tailgating you or weaving between traffic, both of which risk causing bigger accidents.
In Tennessee where I live, you must not impede the flow of traffic. If everyone else is doing 80, 85, etc MPH, and you merge over into the left lane to pass, but you go 70? You are breaking the law if there are drivers behind you still going that higher speed and they have to slow down or hit their brakes because of you.
Additionally, if you do not move to the right as soon as you are able to, they are supposed to audibly signal to you (honk) to move over, and if you don’t, they are permitted to pass on the right.
The flow of traffic thing applies to the right lane too, just doesn’t come up as often.
Which law is that? I was curious, and looked it up, and only found the "slow poke" law, which says that you have to be passing in the passing lane, but does not grant an exception to the speed limit.
I’m referring to the 2021 Tennessee Code Title 55-8-154
First part of it is:
“ No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.”
I guess I misread the law when I was researching this a while back, which is my mistake
Yes, you could simultaneously be ticketed for both speeding and impeding traffic.
That is pretty much true everywhere. Doesn't mean it actually happens and almost no one gets pulled over for it, which only encourages people to plant their asses in the passing lane and go the same speed as everyone else (which is entirely not it's purpose).
I didn't actually know this was a thing until recently. I've always heard people call it "the fast lane"
If you have a 4 lane highway, it goes:
L: Passing LM: Fast Lane RM: Cruising Lane R: Entrance/Exit lane
If you have 3:
L: Passing M: Fast Lane/Cruising R: Cruising/Exit
If you have 2:
L: Passing R: Cruising/Exit
There is always a passing only lane specifically for creating the opportunity for others to move around slow or stopped traffic, and for emergency vehicles to (in theory) have a clear path. Most people treat this as a fast lane though, and moreover, most driver’s tests do not ask you about this.
No it isn't.
Right lane is the driving lane. Every other lane is a passing lane.
Unless you are passing someone, you drive in the most right lane.
That… doesn’t work for most multi-lane highways. For a 2 lane highway, yes. But you try driving in a city with a 4 lane highway with on ramps and exits all over the right lane and you’ll see why everybody who is not entering or exiting and just wants to go at a constant speed is a problem.
So they cruise in the next lane over. There is still another two lanes for them to pass. Technically, the “fast lane” is just another term for “long term passing,” as in they’re going faster than the other traffic for a long period of time… passing them in the process. They’ll move over when they are able to.
Ever see signs that say “TRUCKS USE RIGHT TWO LANES” and such? There’s a reason it’s not just the rightmost.