Georgia law goes after left-lane lingerers

[Troy]

Since Cooter thinks we're all making this stuff up about "fast lane" or "passing lane" I'd like to quote some excerpts from the Virginia Driver's Manual...

http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/pdf/dmv39.pdf

When driving on a multi-lane highway, stay in the right lane if you are driving slower than the traffic around you.

Return to the right lane as soon as you can see the front of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror.

It is your responsibility to adjust your driving to avoid other drivers' mistakes and assure everyone's safety.

This dangerous driving behavior (Aggressive Driving)  is defined by Virginia law as the intent to harass, intimidate, injure or obstruct another person while committing one or more traffic offenses such as failing to stop or yield the right-of-way, avoiding a traffic control device or failing to give way to an overtaking vehicle.

Protect yourself. If you see an aggressive driver, stay out of the way. Don't challenge the aggressive driver by speeding up or trying to out-maneuver him. Avoid eye contact and ignore his gestures and shouting.

Hmmmm, doesn't recommend putzing along in the left lane and "brake checking" the idiots anywhere in the manual. Pretty much just the opposite!

Between "Aggressive Driving", "Distracted Driving", "Drowsy Driving", and "Drinking and Driving", Distracted is the only one that gets statistics:

Annually, driver distraction accounts for roughly 20 percent of all traffic crashes in Virginia.

You'd think that the speed crazed hellions charging through the open left lane would have rated a bit higher.

Troy

[TUFCAT]

I would post here....but I'm already tired from the 4-door barracuda thread - so I'm out!  

[Ghoste]

Cooter, it isn't about opening it up to speeders, its about closing it to LINGERERS.  Huge difference.  And if you are already going over the limit, you are hardly in a position to condemn anyone else for going over whether they beat your excessive and illegal speed by 1/2 a mile an hour or a hundred.  The law is the law and if you want to throw rocks at someone else for speeding then you should never be exceeding it yourself.

[Cooter]

Isn't it Ghoste? That's my whole point. If I'm doing more than posted, WTF are they to think they own the left lane??
Btw, since you two are evidently left Laners, where does it end? If doing 85 ina 65 is "the fast lane way", then why not 200??
THIS is my point. I know you two can clearly see. This will become a problem sooner than later.
slow down, enjoy life people. Just don't expect me to move if your doing Way the hell over the limit.
no wannabe cop here, just standing MY ground. I will not be shoved over just because YOU "think" I'm too slow.
Difference is, when I'm in something like the Dart, you'll find me in the "pokey lane". It's called respect.
I expect people to respect the two car lengths between cars.
You watch and see. I bet the ones that came up with welfare had the best intentions as well.

[Troy]

I see you ignored my evidence of your own rude, dangerous, and even law breaking behavior yet have no plans to make a change. Therefore, any valid point you may have is null and void.

Think about it: according to the Virginia Driver's Manual (and most states are similar), it's already wrong to ride in the left lane AND to block an overtaking vehicle so why would anyone need a new law targeting "impeding traffic"? There's nothing new about it - except the code number on the ticket. Of course, that book also says to keep your hands at 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock. Requires further research to see if a defensive driving expert came up with that or a clueless bureaucrat.

Just because something may be a problem at some undetermined time it doesn't mean that it isn't useful now. It also doesn't mean that it's ok to ignore it just because you don't agree. You have no right/justification to condemn others for ignoring the law if you re just as guilty of ignoring it when it's inconvenient for you. There's some old proverb about sin and throwing stones that's relevant here.

I still haven't the slightest clue as to how someone would be disrespectful by passing in the left lane (any speed) while another is cruising (any speed) in the right lane. Really, I can't believe such a thing would even register in most people's brains. It becomes an issue when there's a conflict - two cars trying to share the same space for example. If one alters course (speeds up, slows down, changes lanes, etc.) the conflict is resolved. Again, I will pass on the right if I realize someone isn't going to move over. It's illegal of course - but so is blocking an overtaking vehicle. My action - while disrespectful(?) - avoids the conflict. A conflict that never would have existed had cars been in the proper lane. Heck, if both cars were in the proper (right) lane then the lead car doesn't have to do anything! The overtaking vehicle is responsible for "going around". Talk about showing respect!

I laugh and point at guys with "race cars" driving 55 in the right lane with the engine howling (I was "that guy" exactly once). I suppose that makes them mad and makes me a bad person. At least it's an extremely short interaction. (Ok, it's a joke, I usually check out the car in the split second it takes me to pass.)

Troy

[Troy]

HIJACK!

In regards to the above mention of teaching new drivers to hold the steering wheel at 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock, it appears to be for less chance of injury during an airbag deployment. Everything I read seems to allude to the fact that having the hands higher (10 and 2 or 9 and 3) makes steering the car smoother and easier but could lead to injury when the arms are flung out of the way by the force of the air bag. Apparently they are more concerned with protecting someone during a crash than giving them the ability to avoid one in the first place!

Apparently this is supposedly being enforced in some places (California possibly according to one article). If you don't have airbags you're decreasing your ability to control the car for no reason. I'm sure you could still get a ticket because "the laws says" without any understanding of the reason behind it.

Plus, at 8 and 4 it's more difficult to manipulate the cruise control and radio buttons. Might as well go back to taking the hands off the wheel!

Troy

[hemi68charger]

It's one thing to pass a law, it's a completely different thing to enforce it ( immigration laws - hint hint )..

Texas has had that law for a LONG time with postings of "Slow traffic keep right" and "Left lane passing only"....... But, does anything come of it? Nope............. In Jan. of this past year, there was an initiative in Texas to enforce it........... Never heard anything any more......... Troopers/Law enforcement don't need to worry ( nothing against them, I have plenty of really good friends in law enforcement )........... I would venture to say, 98% of the people moseying along in the left, at the sight of a police car in their rearview mirror, immediately move over. For the rest of us slum, nope,,,,,,, they just sit there and wonder why the person behind them are flashing their lights..     

Like urine, traffic needs to flow, flow, flow............

[polywideblock]

its self appointed" lane monitors " that these laws are made to stop  
you aren't there to SLOW down the speeding drivers leave it to the people payed to do it
 you know the radar trap 6 miles on from you that you have slowed everybody down so they don't get caught

we have the same law over here and it  works well in most cases  

nothing will stop the little old man/woman from driving at 20 under in the passing lane apart from maybe   the appointment with the reaper    

once you cop a fine for hindering traffic you'll get the idea     pass and move over

[TexasGeneral]

The speed limit was put into law to conserve fuel, not because driving 80mph is more dangerous than 65mph.. There has been no tests or studies done that can prove otherwise. Speeding tickets are merely a meal-ticket for townships.
It is far more dangerous to cruise in the left lane blocking traffic, than it is to do 80mph (especially since most Texans carry guns) ... It is an injustice for police to measure the speed of a vehicle with technology that supersedes the technology of the automobile manufacturers speedometer.. The one in my charger turns with gears and a cable but they measure with lasers! "FEA Feed em fish heads". Not to mention they'll give a drivers license to ANYONE!.... I digress 

[TUFCAT]

When I'm doing 80 in the left lane, which I usually do but rarely ever exceed...and some Jamoke wants to run faster,  I have a very simple 8-step process.  

Step #1 - Faster Jamoke crawls up my ass showing me he wants to go faster.
Step #2 - Turn on right turn signal.
Step #3 - Merge into right lane.
Step #4 - Faster asshole blows by me and speeds along.
Step #5 - Left turn signal.
Step #6 - Merge back into left lane.
Step #7 - Hit resume on cruise control.
Step #8 - Go back on my merry way.

Works everytime.  In fact all of this is done autonomously. Without any obscene gestures, or people losing sleep over it.  

[Troy]

When I'm doing 80 in the left lane, which I usually do but rarely ever exceed...and some Jamoke wants to run faster,  I have a very simple 8-step process. 

Step #1 - Faster Jamoke crawls up my ass showing me he wants to go faster.
Step #2 - Turn on right turn signal.
Step #3 - Merge into right lane.
Step #4 - Faster asshole blows by me and speeds along.
Step #5 - Left turn signal.
Step #6 - Merge back into left lane.
Step #7 - Hit resume on cruise control.
Step #8 - Go back on my merry way.

Works everytime.  In fact all of this is done autonomously. Without any obscene gestures, or people losing sleep over it. 

Why step #7? If you do it right you never have to slow down.

Troy

[TUFCAT]

yes, you are correct.

[flyinlow]

When I'm doing 80 in the left lane, which I usually do but rarely ever exceed...and some Jamoke wants to run faster,  I have a very simple 8-step process. 

Step #1 - Faster Jamoke crawls up my ass showing me he wants to go faster.
Step #2 - Turn on right turn signal.
Step #3 - Merge into right lane.
Step #4 - Faster asshole blows by me and speeds along.
Step #5 - Left turn signal.
Step #6 - Merge back into left lane.
Step #7 - Hit resume on cruise control.
Step #8 - Go back on my merry way.

Works everytime.  In fact all of this is done autonomously. Without any obscene gestures, or people losing sleep over it. 

Thank you.  Perhaps the driver who just passed you will aid your drive by cleaning out any cops in front of you. Would that be a win-win?

[Cooter]

I see you ignored my evidence of your own rude, dangerous, and even law breaking behavior yet have no plans to make a change. Therefore, any valid point you may have is null and void.
first, didn't ignore it, I simply don't agree with your view or Va's.
wasn't worth the time to attempt to explain it to you. I already have. It's obvious even when another agrees.
as I originally stated, all this law allows ifmimplemented, is the speed freaks to take over the left lane. All the posting of Va laws don't mean sh*t to me. If you are allowed to think the left lane is for "faster" traffic NOW, and I see people running 95 mph, why is it so hard for you to understand FORCING the law abiding (as many troopers depending on if they got some the night before will give you a 5m p.o. h buffer, these people because some idiot thinks they own the left lane?




I laugh and point at guys with "race cars" driving 55 in the right lane with the engine howling (I was "that guy" exactly once). I suppose that makes them mad and makes me a bad person. At least it's an extremely short interaction. (Ok, it's a joke, I usually check out the car in the split second it takes me to pass.)

Troy

And with that scenario, there are those out there that would try that. They are the same ones that can't understand why they came back out to their car after a fuel break to find four flats. (Ok, it's a joke)....
Bottom line is, we agree about impeding traffic, I give respect there, but if you think I'm moving over cause you are in a hurry, your the fault owner in that one......not I.good luck out there on the road. I truly hope you never have to deal with anybody that pulls your card for driving like you own the road, law, or not. Respect is the real problem with driver's today. If more consideration was given to the possible out come of their (law on their side, but disrespected the wrong one), you wouldn't see sh*t in the news bout road rage. I've been on the wrong end of a weapon before. It truly is AMAZING how a badass becomes a real teddy bear once that happens. Is it against the law?
Sure, but you know there's never a cop when you need em.

[Cooter]

When I'm doing 80 in the left lane, which I usually do but rarely ever exceed...and some Jamoke wants to run faster,  I have a very simple 8-step process.  

Step #1 - Faster Jamoke crawls up my ass showing me he wants to go faster.
Step #2 - Turn on right turn signal.
Step #3 - Merge into right lane.
Step #4 - Faster asshole blows by me and speeds along.
Step #5 - Left turn signal.
Step #6 - Merge back into left lane.
Step #7 - Hit resume on cruise control.
Step #8 - Go back on my merry way.

Works everytime.  In fact all of this is done autonomously. Without any obscene gestures, or people losing sleep over it.  

Ya know, sometimes, outta the mouths of babes. Cept, if I adopt this, think I'll add a number 7.....
Get on cell phone, Hollar at 911, give em a heads up just so I can ride by with my head held high.

Tuff, think I will use the law to my advantage. Funny how you would be the one to change my mind....
wow, I just realized sumptin. I guess I ain't as set in my ways as I thought. Does that mean I'm not my father's son?
now, if I could only find that picture with the uncle of a third twice removed, cousin, who was an design engineer with his 4dr Cuda with 440 6pack and dana.

[maxwellwedge]

I would post here....but I'm already tired from the 4-door barracuda thread - so I'm out!  

What engine did Chrysler put in the 4 door Barracuda? Will it be able to keep up in the left lane? 

[TUFCAT]

Indeed Maxwell, check out page 17 of the "epic" thread...its a 340/auto.  

Cooter, what else can I say?   You and I are probably two nuts that fell close to the same oak tree.  

[Troy]

So if you don't even care for the laws in your own state then why on earth do you think anyone else should? We're back to "it's all about me". Demanding respect when you refuse to give any. Precisely why laws like this are enacted.

Look, I'm more than willing to debate the technical details and/or validation of something. Facts, research, case studies, etc. are very interesting to me. I will change my view if your evidence makes more sense to me than mine. I will not argue (or accept!) feelings. Facts always win. If someone believes their grandmother's dead cat is feeding their boss lies to undermine their job then how does one refute it? Either smile and nod (and leave ASAP), make fun of them for being a numbskull, or waste a tremendous amount of time trying to convince them that maybe they just suck at their job and their boss has valid concerns.

And now we've devolved into vigilante justice. That certainly doesn't deserve any commentary. I'm sure we disagree there too.

Troy

[hemi68charger]

When I'm doing 80 in the left lane, which I usually do but rarely ever exceed...and some Jamoke wants to run faster,  I have a very simple 8-step process.  

Step #1 - Faster Jamoke crawls up my ass showing me he wants to go faster.
Step #2 - Turn on right turn signal.
Step #3 - Merge into right lane.
Step #4 - Faster asshole blows by me and speeds along.
Step #5 - Left turn signal.
Step #6 - Merge back into left lane.
Step #7 - Hit resume on cruise control.
Step #8 - Go back on my merry way.

Works everytime.  In fact all of this is done autonomously. Without any obscene gestures, or people losing sleep over it.  

Why not just stay in the right lane? Not sure about Georgia, but in Texas, the law technically is, stay in the right lane........... People in the right lane who approach slower traffic can simply do Steps 5 thru 8..........

[TUFCAT]

Yup, that's also true...  To clarify I'm not always a left lane hog.  But I do find myself driving in the left lane if the right lane is being pokey.  

[XH29N0G]

I think I am with the slow pokes in this crowd, but I don't drive under the speed limit and I don't set out to antagonize.  I set my speed control and then move over to the left lane(s) as needed.  But I do it in a way I think is safe and predictable.  I'm not impressed by bumper riders when the highway is bumper to bumper already with one lane moving 70 and the other 65.  If it is open road, no worries, I move over.  I have moved over a few times and find the people who pass pulled over a few miles up.  In fact, I had someone come by me this morning and get pulled over not 200 yards further along (the policeman was riding right behind me). I do the math and decide on the risks/reward/time cost like us all.  (I also got pulled over for doing that same thing (and the policeman didn't buy that I thought I had to speed up because I was passing)  . 

If Georgia's and other state laws works for them, good. Different places have different needs.

[Cooter]

So if you don't even care for the laws in your own state then why on earth do you think anyone else should? We're back to "it's all about me". Demanding respect when you refuse to give any. Precisely why laws like this are enacted.



And now we've devolved into vigilante justice. That certainly doesn't deserve any commentary. I'm sure we disagree there too.

Troy

Facts are great. I'll agree, but there are times when the fact is you certainly have the right to free speech, but hollering the "N" word in South Central L.A. just ain't very wise. You can spout your facts all you care to. Guess who else ain't gonna dignify it with response?

Fact is, you are certainly free to roll up next  to a group of fellow brothers on Bikes. You can point and smile/laugh/giggle, etc. You can certainly refute their vigilante justice, I'm all but certain they would definately see the errors of their ways and apologize to you for doing their 5-10 over in left lane(afterall, that was my point. We agree on left lane doing 45 mph thing) when you rolled up behind em and had to go around em.. I'm sure after you post the laws for that section of that perticular state and spout off a few facts about how they are causing numerous back ups in traffic flow, they will certainly see that your facts beat out their ball peens.

You know what? You just may be Right after all. Good thing cause I've often wondered how the bikes can be so loud, but I get a ticket with my Dart for open headers. Maybe I'll spout off the laws for the state next time me and my brothers are out. Facts should keep me from vigilante justice right? So I shouldn't need my concealed carry right?

[TUFCAT]

Did you know Ethel Merman drove her 4-door Barracuda in the right lane and was never passed by anybody? 

[Cooter]

Did you know Ethel Merman drove her 4-door Barracuda in the right lane and was never passed by anybody? 

Prove it. Without pics/video, never happened...

[Ghoste]

And for the record, although I don't why I want to even bother, I don't tear along in the left lane at lightning speeds.  Most of the time I'm in the right lane doing the speed limit.  I move to the left to pass slower traffic or in those occasions if I am speeding according I'll be in the lane most suitable to the flow of traffic I'm travelling with.  What you won't see me doing is planting myself in a lane and deciding to be a self appointed hallway monitor using my vehicle and stubborn refusal to allow faster traffic to go by in a higher speed lane like some sort of vehicular finger to the world.