You’d think it would be a pretty easy concept to grasp, but there apparently is a serious misunderstanding taking place on freeways everywhere when it comes to how fast to drive in what lane of traffic. And perhaps it’s more than just a misunderstanding but rather a gross lack of character and consideration for other drivers on the road. So let me take a moment and explain just how the lanes of traffic work.
Two Lane Roadway
A roadway with one lane of traffic going in each direction should be pretty self-explanatory. You drive at the posted speed-limit or a speed safe for road and traffic conditions, following whatever road markings and traffic control devices are in place.
Four Lane Highway
Now we have a roadway with two lanes of traffic going in either direction. The #1 lane is the lane closest to center of the roadway and is often referred to as the “fast lane”. Traffic in this lane should be traveling at least the posted speed-limit, traffic and road conditions permitting. The “slow lane” or #2 lane is the lane closest to the shoulder and should be used by those vehicles and drivers who are traveling below the posted speed-limit, whether by desire or design. Slow drivers stay out of the fast lane and fast drivers shouldn’t be forced to pass vehicles in the slow lane. Passing to the right of vehicles is dangerous and to be avoided whenever possible.
When a roadway has a designated center lane, this lane is strictly for those vehicles attempting to make a left turn and is not to be used to pass vehicles is the “fast lane”. Passing left of center in an area not designed for that kind of driving maneuver can also be very dangerous.
Multi-Lane Highways and Freeways
With more than two lanes of traffic going in either direction, the rules don’t change. The lane closest to the center is still the #1 lane (fast lane) and the lane closest to the shoulder is still the “slow lane” (the lane number changes to reflect the number of lanes on the roadway, i.e. if there are four lanes of traffic the slow lane will be the #4 lane).
On some of these larger roadways and freeways you will find Carpool Lanes, lanes of traffic designated specifically for the use by drivers of vehicles with two or more passengers (depending on the posted requirement). They are not passing lanes, slow lanes, or lanes for stopping to repair a flat tire. The middle lanes of traffic, however many there might be, are for those drivers content to drive the speed limit but neither find it necessary to be in the slow lane and/or traffic in the fast lane is moving faster than they wish to travel.
When traveling on a freeway, you will sometimes find there are lane restrictions for large trucks, motorhomes, and or vehicles pulling trailers. These are slow moving vehicles and for that reason on these roadways they have be confined to the slow lane.
A Good General Rule
When logic fails you, here’s a good rule to follow: Be aware of traffic around you and the speed at which these vehicles are traveling. Traveling at or near the general flow of traffic is a safe way to travel on just about any roadway and a good way of avoiding the attention of the ever-vigilant protectors of the highway. Studies also suggest that drivers who travel at a speed significantly slower than the flow of traffic actually cause and are involved in more collisions than other drivers.
As in all your traveling excursions, be safe out there.
The Traffic Guy
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2 comments:
Found it! Now I know what you were talking about. Is this the uncensored blog??
IMHO, a large part of the problem is in the labeling of these lanes as "slow lanes" and "fast lanes". While I appreciate the intent of your blog entry, I think it is still somewhat misleading, and represents a large part of the misconception that causes the problem in the first place. There is no such thing as a "slow lane" and a "fast lane"
The Europeans seem to know the rule best, and seem to have this knowledge at birth by instinct. The rule is "Always stay right" (...unless you're in a country that drives on the left of course). The important part is that it really doesn't matter how fast you're going. Of course, everyone needs to obey the posted speed limits, but North Americans seem to have the impression that if they're doing 60 in a 55 mph zone, they're "going fast" and should stay in the left lane. This is completely incorrect, and largely a result of labeling it the "fast lane"
If you're not in the process of passing another vehicle, stay right. If you need to pass another vehicle, do so to the left of them, then immediately move right again (yes, even if you need to move left again in 20 seconds to pass another vehicle). This procedure is correct whether everyone is under the limit, or even if you, or everyone, is well over the limit (and especially true on highways that have no posted limit)
Instead of slow and fast, there is "the lane you always drive in", and the lane(s) you occasionally and very temporarily enter to overtake other vehicles". Your velocity is irrelevant.
If someone *ever* passes you on the right, you were in the wrong lane. If someone passes you on the right, you should immediately feel shame (and then move right ;-)
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