It seems to me that the Legislature in Richmond should have more to do with transportation than trying to find a way to fine people for driving in the left lane.

While I applaud the general concept of keeping the left lane open for passing or for emergencies, it seems to me that this is just one more problem in this region more than anywhere else in the commonwealth.

According to Joe Rogalsky’s article about the bill in yesterday’s Examiner, the left lane could be used when there is a left exit or when there is debris to be avoided or, and this is where I have a problem, “during traffic jams.” Can you define what a “traffic jam” is? Is it when traffic isn’t moving at all? Is it when conditions are stop and go? Who makes this call, or is this just one more vague law that will be worked out in the courts?

Is there really a time on the local interstates when we can do without one of the lanes? Isn’t this why there are private companies interested in building us some more lanes for which we will have to pay a toll?

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A reader raises a question that may speak volumes about law enforcement in Washington: “What’s the deal with cell phones in the District? I thought talking directly on a cell phone was banned, and you could get pulled over and ticketed just for that. But walking in the District, I consistently see people driving while on the phone (without a hands-free set).”

This law was largely seen as a way for officers to pull someone over if they suspected something else might be going on. They could pull a car over for a “distracted driving offense” and then they were clear if they found some other offense. It would take a lot more time and energy than these officers currently have. Do you really think that they are going to pull people over for smoking in their cars even if Marion Barry’s bill passes? Give me a break.

Questions, comments, random musings? Write to Steve@SprawlandCrawl.com.