I write at the bottom of my articles
"SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT". I hope that it causes some of you to pause and think. There are a number of reasons why you should keep to the right including the fact that in many states, it's the law.
I was at a fourth of July party a few years back, and a party participant commented on how he drives the speed limit in the fast lane because that is the law. He got push back from everyone within earshot. He mistakenly thought that he was being a good citizen by declaring himself the highway monitor. Here is why he was wrong:
- It is against the law. Even if you are going the maximum speed limit (see California Vehicle Code 21654 below).
- It wastes fuel. The more we use our brakes to avoid self-appointed highway monitors, the worse our MPGs.
- It is unsafe. If everyone follows the same code, there would be little need to weave through traffic. Weaving through traffic (a bit) is legal.
- You could cause someone to die. I am being a tad hyperbolic, but it is possible that someone is racing to the hospital for whatever reason and you are slowing them down from receiving life saving treatment
- It is arrogant.
- It is inconsiderate.
Here are two websites to review if you need more convincing. The first one has lots of great points and the second has a petition for you to sign now that you see the light.
http://www.slowertraffickeepright.com/
http://californiakeepright.com/
I am going to purchase a slower traffic keep right sticker for my 1968 Mustang coupe. They make the letters in reverse so that the Prius and Volvo drivers can read them from their rear view mirrors. If the sticker doesn't work, I will get right up on their bumpers if I am racing a loved one to the hospital. It could happen, right?
21654. (a) Notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits, any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. (b) If a vehicle is being driven at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time, and is not being driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, it shall constitute prima facie evidence that the driver is operating the vehicle in violation of subdivision (a) of this section. (c) The Department of Transportation, with respect to state highways, and local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, may place and maintain upon highways official signs directing slow-moving traffic to use the right-hand traffic lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or preparing for a left turn.
Comments
Well done!
Great article! I also agree, if your slow move over. If your fast, keep going!
*applause*
Slow is good because fast draws down the petroleum resource faster than slow. But in that most Americans are restless morons fast it is -- with oil wars past, present and future and the eventually slowing down of just about everything as the oil goes bye-bye.
A Geologist
Using breaks because someone in front of you is going the speed limit in the passing lane wastes more gas than not breaking (because you had already used the gas to speed up). And I do not see the relevance of your environmentalism with this article.
An Engineer
Great article and as a car guy, I've got to envy your name, Max Power. May I refer you to the Facebook page "Slower Traffic Keep Right"?
I drive 65 in the slow lane and still get tailgated. There are far more speeders who feel entitled to all lanes as needed to maintain a decent speed than slow drivers in the fast lane. Most of us who keep our speed down do so deliberately for safety as well as fuel consumption, so we try to stay out of your way as much as possible. But when drivers like you need the right-hand passing lane to get around some idiot doing only 70 in the 2nd lane, then I suppose we do "play traffic monitor," slowing you down for whole infuriating seconds at a time.
They should ban coffee and that way people wouldn't be so antsy on the roads. While they're at it force everyone to learn to ride a motorcycle. Thay way everyone will understand the perils of bein gon the road and be a bit more courteous.
I drive the speed limit which is the law. I could care less if you want to speed. The CA vehicle code is not a permit to drive as fast as you want. Slow down you dumb jackasses you can't drive nearly as good as you think and you put all of our lives at risk.
Try your argument in traffic court next time and see how far that gets you. "But judge, the CA vehicle code says I can go as fast as I want....."
Tom wrote: "I drive the speed limit which is the law." That is a bunch of crap! I guarantee that Tom speeds. EVERYONE speeds. If you cruised your Volvo into the fast lane at 65 miles per hour you would be killed in a day.
Tom decides how fast all of us can go. Isn't he special (and inconsistent and a liar and pompous and arrogant and self righteous, etc.)
If the speed limit is just that, a posted speed limit, anyone exceeding that is breaking the law no?.. even if you are rushing to hospital with a life threatening injury, CALL 911! effing christ folks this is not a raceway & if you are exceeding the speed limit you are in the wrong as are most drivers out on the road, you all just need to manage & plan your time better... bunch of hurried up a**holes is all you are..
Which part of "Notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits" did you not understand? That section of the CVC is talking about vehicles traveling LESS than the speed limit. It does not imply permission to drive OVER the limit.
No one has the right to drive faster than the speed limit on any public road.
So, "Common Sense Man", you take it upon yourself to enforce traffic laws? Why limit yourself? Please proceed into the next gang-banger infested crack house in any bad part of town and start preaching the California state law gospel...
I'm glad you know the law, so follow it; unless you're the CHP, keep your 65 mph self out of the number one lane and let me breeze by if I want to drive 80. You can go ahead and laugh at me if you see me pulled over off to the side of the road ahead.
There are different lanes for a reason theres a slow lane for going slower or the speed limit and then you have the faster lanes for passing you should ONLY get over if you are going with the flow not impeding it I know the big bad trucks scare you but get over it and learn how to drive and remember you never know whats going on in the car behind you, they may have be going as fast as they are, YOU never know.
Common Sense Man -- You apparently need remedial English: My Webster's defines "notwithstanding" as, "In spite of." This means, 'in spite of the speed limit . . . keep right.' Check out the National Motorist Association website under the topic 'lane courtesy --' and you'll see that Mr. Power is absolutely correct. Bottom line: share the road or get a citation!
I agree that too many morons drive slow and clog up freeways but your reasoning is flawed. I just go around them when I'm going faster, regardless of what lane they're in.
"It wastes fuel. The more we use our brakes to avoid self-appointed highway monitors, the worse our MPGs."
Bogus. If you want to save fuel then drive about 55 in slow lanes. You sound like those idiots that fly up on your bumper (even in slow lane and I don't cut off cars BTW) b/c they don't adjust speed when they see the narrowing gap between the cars (hence, let off your gas pedal when the cushion is getting smaller b/c that is FREE from gas b/c injectors shut off upon deceleration).
Also consider the flip-side b/c you're a hypocrite You are being the highway monitor by policing people clogging up the fast lanes.
Read CVC 22352 on the prima facie and you will see that it doesn't include regular highway speed limits.
Englishteacher4aday
Sorry to make you go back to English-teaching-4-a-day-school but you incorrectly posted "in spite of speed limits" which isn't what the code states. Read my prior post about prima facie and research it before you insult others.
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