Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Videos, First Drive
Hallelujah! Oklahoma busting slow drivers in left lane
If there is anything worse than someone doing tortoise-like speed in the left lane, it's someone doing tortoise-like speed in the left lane and driving next to someone doing tortoise-like speed in the right lane. Oklahoma State Troopers aren't having any more of it and have begun enforcing the state's left lane law.
Section 41-11-301 dictates that "Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane when available for traffic..." What this means is that unless you're doing at least the speed limit or are about to make a left turn, you need to stay out of the
The OK troopers say this is about getting out of the way for police and emergency service vehicles who shouldn't have to wait for slower drivers to exit the left lane. But seeing that any rushing authority is usually going well over 65 MPH, and folks in the news video were being pulled over for doing 62, we don't see how 3 MPH would really make that difference. Not that we're complaining, because it takes all of our green tea and feng shui to stay calm when we rock up behind slowpokes in the
[Source: CNN]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
Carlos 7:37AM (1/11/2008)
They need to start enforcing this in Florida, this place is heavens waiting room with all these old farts and their land yachts doing 5 under in the left lane. Drives me insane!
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FThorn 8:10AM (1/11/2008)
I agree. I passed a driver on the left on my way to Naples once. He sped up and tailgated and flipped me off the whole way down. I have no personal/emotional interest in other drivers; and no desire to communicate with them especially via hand gestures. I view them as inanimate objects that I must attempt not to collide with, and at times negotiate my way around them. I really just want to get to my point B.
Seminole 9:57AM (1/11/2008)
Thank you!!
There are signs all over the highway here in Florida, that say "Slower Traffic Keep Right", and no one follows them.
Jim in Tampa 11:07AM (1/11/2008)
People in Florida need to learn that the left lane is for passing only regardless of how fast they are going.
On I-4, I-75 and I-95 where I do most of my highway driving, I drive in the right lane. It's the least congested lane on the interstate.
mary 6:20AM (1/15/2008)
IT IS ABOUT TIME the cops figured out what the BIG problem with traffic is. Bless them in Ok.
Jane 8:16AM (1/15/2008)
Agreed, in part. The left lane should be for passing only. In NJ the roadsigns read, "Keep right except to pass". Speed laws and right of way laws are 2 different things and blocking the right of way of a speeder is not the legal way to control speeding. Lane discipline is not a choice of lanes. The left land is for passing and should not be used as a private road for lazy drivers. Driving in the left lane at the speed limit will not stop speeders. It will only double the danger of speeding by causiing road rage and causing the speeder to weave in and out of traffic. Let's keep speed and right of way separate, as they ARE. Keep right except to pass.
B 9:03AM (1/15/2008)
Yeah i really agree people drive extremly slow here in the left lane and cause traffic for miles.
Robert 10:17AM (1/15/2008)
I completely agree with the need for this law in Florida. The fact that the former Governor Bush vetoed our version of the Keep Right law is just phenomenal. I-4 through Orlando, and I-275 through Tampa/St. Pete are just horrendous. Can we please have this passed in Florida!?!?!?
Brian St. John 7:39AM (1/11/2008)
This is, like, so righteous. I wish this would be done EVERYWHERE. Some of us actually ENJOY driving.
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MasterCKO 3:09PM (1/11/2008)
I know! We have the same law in CA. Enforce it, CHP! It drives me nuts.
John R 7:51AM (1/11/2008)
About bloody time. I hate sleepwalkers in the left lane. They jam up traffic. Hopefully this becomes more than a fad amongst law enforcement nationwide.
The people are the reason the phrase, "Rolling Parking Lot" was coined.
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Diane 12:03PM (1/15/2008)
The phrase " Rolling parking lot" refers to a car hauler truck.. Just like a truck hauling coffins is known as "underground furniture" and so on...That is a truckers slang... has nothing to do with the left lane.
Sam 7:56AM (1/11/2008)
for a speed limit of 65 it usually goes as follows:
left lane- 85-90
middle land- 75-80
left lane- 65-70
so speed limits aren't so much a limit but a number they just put there....
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Owain Ozymandias Buck 8:16AM (1/11/2008)
Actually, the middle lane is not for medium speed. The rule is keep right until it's time to pass. You folks who cruise in the middle lane are just as bad as the left lane cruisers.
Pat 9:23AM (1/11/2008)
When there are more than 2 lanes on a divided freeway, the far right lane should be used to enter or exit. Traffic should be concentrated to the "middle" lane.
Loiosh dé Taltos 11:13AM (1/11/2008)
According to my recently taken Defensive Driving course (thanks, Austin Police) on a 3-lane road or highway you should drive in the middle lane until you need to exit or pass a slower driver. That is the safest location.
Owain Ozymandias Buck 11:51AM (1/11/2008)
No, you Keep Right, plain and simple. Golden rule. You want to keep all the trouble on the side you can see easily, therefore, you keep right except when passing. After you pass, you get right again. Ever notice how folks are passing you right and left? Well, move right.
Otis 1:41PM (1/11/2008)
@Loiosh dé Taltos
I took the same driver's "class" in Ausitn. There was so much information and flat out lies in so much of their information I couldn't keep from laughing.
Most of the info you could tell was straight from political lobbyists without any thought put into whether it was true or not. And there were a few things that were just plain false.
1) You should drive in the middle. No you shouldn't, and if you did that would mean Texas is the ONLY place you do that.
2) Q: "What RPM should your engine be at during highway driving."
A:
mo 1:45PM (1/11/2008)
A:
mo 1:45PM (1/11/2008)
A: