Passing Lane Clarification
Cooler heads should prevail. Especially when traveling our seriously overcrowded highways. Lots of drivers think that the far left-hand lane is reserved for only those drivers who need to move faster than the traffic flow in the other lanes. But this can't be true. Oh, sure. This rule holds up on most limited-access Interstate highways, but it cannot -- and should not -- be applied to highways that are not designed with limited access in mind, especially those center-divided thoroughfares with left-turn cut-throughs.
Seriously now, think about it. How is it possible to stay out of the "speed lane" when, in fact, you need to make a left-hand turn? Some highways provide an extra left-hand turn lane leading up to the cut-through (or turn-off). Others don't. And I'm talking about state and federal highways that are designed for speeds greater than 50 mph.
Imagine you're driving at 55 mph on a state highway. It's a total of six lanes wide; three in each direction. It's center-divided with a grassy median. You're doing the right thing by staying in the center lane of the road, allowing speeders to pass you on the left, and cars in the far-right lane can either go slower or make a right-turn exit off the highway.
But what happens when you have to exit the highway by making a left-turn? Worse yet, what are you going to do when the highway is so congested with bumper-to-bumper cars and trucks? Well, the first thing you should have done was is plan ahead. When the time was right, you should have moved over to the far left-hand lane. Usually, you'd have to do this way in advance of the upcoming turn, because doing it at the last second is going to cause serious problems. And you may miss your turn because there simply is no slot for you to move into to make your left turn.
But when you make this maneuver to get into position to turn left, you've got any number of irate drivers who want to believe the left-hand lane is for high-speed passing. That's right! They even think that they're entitled to drive faster than the speed limit because they're in the "speed lane."
But now you're in their way, in their speed lane. In fact, while they're intent on driving 65 mph or faster, you're going to have to slow to make your left turn. As you slow down, they're bunching up behind you. You hope that you don't set off a chain-reaction collision with the cars following you, some of them now dangerously tailgating. If you were lucky enough to have dedicated turn lane to move into, you can breathe easier because at least you've had a chance to decelerate slightly. But you've still risked life and limb to get into the "passing lane" -- where everyone drives like idiots -- in order to make your left turn.
Do you see how dangerous this is? Do you see how stupid it is to think that all highways support far-left, dedicated "passing lanes?" Be reasonable. Be cool. And remember you're not the only person on the road. "Passing lanes" do exist -- but they're designed into limited-access highways and toll roads. When you get on a highway, please don't forget that the left-hand lane is also a turn lane. Use caution and be safe. 🚔
Here's an example:
Seriously now, think about it. How is it possible to stay out of the "speed lane" when, in fact, you need to make a left-hand turn? Some highways provide an extra left-hand turn lane leading up to the cut-through (or turn-off). Others don't. And I'm talking about state and federal highways that are designed for speeds greater than 50 mph.
Imagine you're driving at 55 mph on a state highway. It's a total of six lanes wide; three in each direction. It's center-divided with a grassy median. You're doing the right thing by staying in the center lane of the road, allowing speeders to pass you on the left, and cars in the far-right lane can either go slower or make a right-turn exit off the highway.
But what happens when you have to exit the highway by making a left-turn? Worse yet, what are you going to do when the highway is so congested with bumper-to-bumper cars and trucks? Well, the first thing you should have done was is plan ahead. When the time was right, you should have moved over to the far left-hand lane. Usually, you'd have to do this way in advance of the upcoming turn, because doing it at the last second is going to cause serious problems. And you may miss your turn because there simply is no slot for you to move into to make your left turn.
But when you make this maneuver to get into position to turn left, you've got any number of irate drivers who want to believe the left-hand lane is for high-speed passing. That's right! They even think that they're entitled to drive faster than the speed limit because they're in the "speed lane."
But now you're in their way, in their speed lane. In fact, while they're intent on driving 65 mph or faster, you're going to have to slow to make your left turn. As you slow down, they're bunching up behind you. You hope that you don't set off a chain-reaction collision with the cars following you, some of them now dangerously tailgating. If you were lucky enough to have dedicated turn lane to move into, you can breathe easier because at least you've had a chance to decelerate slightly. But you've still risked life and limb to get into the "passing lane" -- where everyone drives like idiots -- in order to make your left turn.
Do you see how dangerous this is? Do you see how stupid it is to think that all highways support far-left, dedicated "passing lanes?" Be reasonable. Be cool. And remember you're not the only person on the road. "Passing lanes" do exist -- but they're designed into limited-access highways and toll roads. When you get on a highway, please don't forget that the left-hand lane is also a turn lane. Use caution and be safe. 🚔
Here's an example:
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