And traffic congestion when it isn't necessary can be dangerous, especially when you add 18-wheelers to the mix.
Do people read before they comment? Read the links and watch the video and you might find out why it is dangerous. It is illegal because it is dangerous. Stop driving slow in the left lane gramps...
I'm with Kevoooo. I understand why we've adopted the practice of having the left lane for passing for the sake of the efficiency of the highway system. But, I'd really like to hear an explanation as to why blocking it is INCREDIBLY dangerous, especially in a two-lane situation like this one. It might be slightly sub-optimal, maybe somewhat inconsiderate. But how the f is it INCREDIBLY dangerous?
Or you could answer the simple question. I don't have time to watch videos and read articles. I posed a question, and it should be easily answered by those who supposedly know it. You could have posted a simple sentence to answer my question, but instead posted 6 links and basically said "find it." And again, I DON'T DRIVE IN THE LEFT LANE. Just because I don't agree that it is inherently dangerous to drive in the left lane without passing, DOES NOT MEAN I DO IT MYSELF. It's a response to those saying that the pickup truck was being equally as dangerous, simply because he drove in the left lane. The only reason it is dangerous is because of what OTHERS will do to get around it, anything that slows down traffic CAN be dangerous, but simply driving in the left lane is not going to cause an accident. Coupled with other factors it could.
Calm down guys, everyone involved got what they deserved- boxers in wrecked, camaro driver wrecked plus charges. And I'm okay with the guy on the phone not getting some debris or something.
These are some things I would consider 1.) Causes traffic to bunch up together in an otherwise free flow situation. The more cars driving closer together at a high speed situation the higher probability of an accident. 2.) Causes stress to certain drivers. We all know road rage is a real thing and is very dangerous, and traffic bunching up causes frutration in people which in turn decreases their driving ability because they aren't in a right state of mind. They are now rushing which increases the probability of an accident. 3.) In real high traffic areas the slow person will cause a "traffic wave". This might not effect the first few cars behind him as much, but as cars keep having to brake behind him the braking is increased until eventually cars in the back will have to slam their brakes or come to a complete stop. Complete stop and freeways is very dangerous.
Okay, I can't help myself. Why are people talking about passing lanes? This video has nothing to do with that. Every car at the beginning of the video appears to be using the left lane as a passing lane. The guy slows down just to toy with the other guy off after his douchebaggery/recklessness (not smart)...not because he was just driving in the left lane without passing anyone. I never understood why people get so huffy about the left passing lane. I agree it's very annoying, but in my experiences it is so exceedingly rare I don't know why people makes such a big deal out of it. What I encounter most often is the the douche going 25mph over the speed limit gets all pissy because I'm using the passing lane only going 10mph over the speed limit. Usually it just take a very small amount of patience and 1 minute later things will open up, and I will get over in the right lane, so the douche going 25mph over the speed limit can get on with his important life. But no, he has to endanger everyone by riding as close as he can to my bumper until that time comes. I've noticed over time that most people have started treating the "left passing lane" as the "left lane where people should be speeding just as much as I am." Most people in this thread must be the douche going 25mph over the speed limit thinking everyone one should get out of their way.
Calm down there guy. Go outside or something. I never said it was going to cause an accident and the gramps comment was just a joke. This is why I don't like to argue on the internet, things get misunderstood. Rockets are advancing tonight we should all be hugging and drinking together.
That's not the case, he was driving on the left lane fine (even passed up the first 18-wheeler), only when he got mad at the idiot behind him did he decide to stay even with the second 18 wheeler to annoy the guy behind him. If he had simply kept his constant speed and moved over to the right like any good driver once he passed the 18 wheeler this would all have been avoided. Obviously the moron in the black car was the instigator and the cause of everything, but Mr. I control the road could have easily decided to be an adult and just follow proper driving etiquette.
THANK YOU for taking the time to answer the question. Very true, however, traffic builds up on the right lane as well. If people followed the guidelines (I'm not sure if it's a law, but you learn it on the driving test -- I remember the question from 12 years ago) that states you are supposed to be at least 1 car length behind for every 10mph, you wouldn't have that build up. This is the real problem. Bat-**** crazy drivers are the danger, not the left driver per se. It's the reaction it causes from other drivers who are impatient and annoyed that causes the danger. Again, if people weren't TAILING they would have no issue stopping. Point being, a lot of factors compounded are what make roadways dangerous. Simply driving in the left lane isn't dangerous by itself. What makes it dangerous is the reaction it causes from other people. If everyone drove the speed limit and didn't rush to get everywhere or to show off their fast car, I believe there would be far fewer accidents.
I'm not denying that THAT action was dangerous (stomping on your breaks), I was directly responding to those who said driving in the left lane in and of itself is dangerous. Which I do not agree with, and until you answered, no one was willing to give me a simple answer. I don't deny at all that had he kept his speed up and passed the 18-wheeler, the Camaro probably would not have done what he did to get around him. However, it's no excuse. Driving in the left lane slow didn't cause the accident. The dumbass drunk tailing people caused the accident.
I think you're right on aall three, but they confirm Kevooooo's point that plodding in the left lane is only dangerous insofar as other drivers react inappropriately to it.
Isn't it against the law to not pass when driving on the left lane? I'm pretty certain there are many places where that truck driver would have gotten a ticket for that.
Essentially the problem is a large percentage of drivers either suck/are easily distracted by their phones/or have rage issues...so anything other than driving at a safe distance and speed and having proper driving etiquette puts you and the people on the road around you in a dangerous situation. And even then there is always danger because morons think that taking their eyes off the road for a few seconds to send a tweet/facebook post is acceptable. The REAL problem is how bad drivers nowadays are.
Yes, in Texas on multi-lane roads (obviously) the left lane is for passing only. I believe that is on all multi-lane highways and not just those with posted signs. Although I have seen the signs on almost every road. Truck driver would have been subjected to a Class C Misdemeanor w/ a fine of at least $200. IIRC.
All the raging vitriol in this thread aside, I do think it was pretty funny that the camero actually signaled before he started driving on the shoulder. WTF?
