In review of the responses to my post I think one of the core issues is the fact that there needs to be much stricter and better driver training mandated at least at a state level. And since California is the "car" state I think this would be the prime place to start.
We need better drivers ed in schools but more importantly we need way tougher driving exams. And maybe tougher car inspections. I grew up in Vermont and in Germany. Germany's tests and driving levels of its citizens overall, has been already discussed. But one thing that I wanted to mention, and this has less to do with drivers than what they drive, is in Vermont you have YEARLY car inspections. No sticker, no insurance and that means no registration. Granted the smog parameters might be lower but I think yearly mechanical inspections are a good thing. Now this could be attributed to the weather and salty roads in winter but I have seen some vehicles(if you can call them that) in this state that should have been on their way to the crusher awhile ago.
feels good to vent.
-xom

 

For the sake of being accurate, passing in the middle lane is *not* illegal.

Unfortunately, California law states that a driver in the left lane is *not* required to move over to the right unless there are five or more cars behind wanting to pass. Ridiculous!

 

That moving over for 5 cars applies to 1 lane roads with turnouts.

 

Thats what we're all here for.

 

You know, I was going to post something like this in the Tri-State forum, but decided to just bump this instead. I am so fed up with highway drivers. The whole left lane thing annoys me to no end. The way I see it, I think is causes many highway accidents in a scenario something like this:

Some person or person sits in the left lane and will not get over to let cars pass. With some, flashing brights or even tail gaiting semi tucks isn't enough to get the point across! When this starts it always causes congested traffic in a little zone of backed up cars and trucks and it starts to build (even when traffic is light). There is almost always someone in the right lane right next to this person(s) in the left who won't speed up or help releive the situation (after all, why should they - they are in the right lane minding their own business). People stuck behind this mass get really frustrated and a few take dangerous actions to get through (cutting off, swerving, accelerating rapidly...). The result - an accident on a highway where there are no lights, no intersections, no stop signs - just a straight road that should be able to handle almost anything safely... it is soooo stupid.

I see these left lane hog enduced packs of cars on the highway every day. I really do drive my WRX responsibly and I have learned to stay back or stay ahead when I see these situations, but it still drives me nuts. I hate driving more and more. In Connecticut on I-84 it is to the point where everyone cruises on the left and passes on the right. It is just awful and very dangerous if not just plain stressful. Years ago, I used to get in front of the left lane person and just take my foot of the gas (no slamming on the brakes), but even though it may get the point across or the selfish idiot over to the right, it is very dangerous and adds to the whole mess.

Why why why don't highway patrols ticket for failing to get out of the left lane? Make it a hefty fine, throw out some unmarked cars and before you know it, the fines will rack up enough to pay for anything the state needs (ticket the reckless drivers while you are at it). It would be a gold mine (don't states need more money these days any way?), then the word would get out and our roads might be a little more enjoyable. Improving drivers ed and testing might be a good option, but our schools and state DMVs are a mess and are incapable of running day to day business let alone putting together a first rate driver education program. Idiots are everywhere!

Oh, regarding the turn signal issue, most US drivers react to a turn signal by speeding up and not letting you get over in almost any situation. Even my wife has learned that despite trying to be a good/polite driver and use her signal, the best bet in tight situations is to just change lanes without it.

One last point, Ohio seems to have good drivers. It is almost a ballet the way drivers there (most any way) pass on the left then get right back over to the right, though maybe this has changed since the last time I have driven there. Still, they are known for really tough highway cops - maybe that is the connection?

 

Oregon is the same way... I love driving in oregon, people know how to use the left lane as a PASSING lane.... to the ppl that go 60 in the left and dont move over !!!