Why do people drive in the middle lanes of a highway

[Jack Ryan]

First, let me say hello, I have been coming to the boards for awhile, but my extreme boredom at work has caused me to go ahead and create an account. So hello.

Second, I always wondered what went through people's minds while they were in the middle of say a 3 or 4 lane highway going 55. Do these people not realize that people are trying to pass on both sides? This really causes some serious traffic with people who would normally go 65 now darting into the fast lane. (Trucks are included in this behavior)

Honestly I am just curious at why people do this? Is it because they can just set the car on cruise and not have to deal with people getting on and off exits? Hopefully that is not the case because that is truely selfish.

 

[minendo]

The same reason why slow drivers stay in the fast lane on two lane highways.

 

[CPA]

You should always drive in the middle lane, unless you are passing or entering/exiting the highway.

BTW, can't tell from your scenario, but what's the speed limit on this road?

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: CPA
You should always drive in the middle lane, unless you are passing or entering/exiting the highway.

 

[Jzero]

Actually, I thought I was being polite by giving other drivers 2 ways to pass me. If someone is passing me at a 80 on the left, you can pass me at 70 on the right, I can keep going 60; everyone is happy.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Originally posted by: CPA
You should always drive in the middle lane, unless you are passing or entering/exiting the highway.

BTW, can't tell from your scenario, but what's the speed limit on this road?

I apologize, I meant a major highway, for example, I-95 for you in the east, speed limit of 65.

I disagree with you that you should always drive in the center. I have always been taught, and firmly believe that you stay right, pass left. Driving in the center lane going slower than the flow of traffic is hazardous to everyone out there.

 

[Modeps]

Left Lane: Passing Lane
Middle Lane: Travel Lane
Right Lane: Slow Lane

They're probably travelling.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: KMDupont64

Originally posted by: CPA
You should always drive in the middle lane, unless you are passing or entering/exiting the highway.

BTW, can't tell from your scenario, but what's the speed limit on this road?

I apologize, I meant a major highway, for example, I-95 for you in the east, speed limit of 65.

I disagree with you that you should always drive in the center. I have always been taught, and firmly believe that you stay right, pass left. Driving in the center lane going slower than the flow of traffic is hazardous to everyone out there.

Driving slower than the flow of traffic is hazardous regardless of what lane you're in, though.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Originally posted by: Jzero
Actually, I thought I was being polite by giving other drivers 2 ways to pass me. If someone is passing me at a 80 on the left, you can pass me at 70 on the right, I can keep going 60; everyone is happy.

Your example would not be a problem if there is no traffic. If its you and me on the road, I don't care what lane your in, I am going passed you. If your in the center lane going 60, people in the right lane are going 55, 60 as well, that forces people going anything over 60 into the left lane. So if someone who likes to cruise at 65 is in the left lane, now that causes a backup. And in my opinion, the person responsible is the person cruising in the center lane.

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: KMDupont64

Originally posted by: CPA
You should always drive in the middle lane, unless you are passing or entering/exiting the highway.

BTW, can't tell from your scenario, but what's the speed limit on this road?

I apologize, I meant a major highway, for example, I-95 for you in the east, speed limit of 65.

I disagree with you that you should always drive in the center. I have always been taught, and firmly believe that you stay right, pass left. Driving in the center lane going slower than the flow of traffic is hazardous to everyone out there.

IMO you are correct. At least in Oregon, you are supposed to stay as far right as possible unless you are passing.

The center lane is a travel/passing lane but it is actually illegal to pass on the right (of course, this is NEVER enforced) so you are supposed to move to the right if not actively passing someone so other people can pass you in the center and left lanes.

Edit: also, I do think the reason large trucks stay in the center lane in city areas is that too many people are merging into the right lane and large trucks would have a hard time avoiding them.

 

[Ilmater]

Originally posted by: KMDupont64
First, let me say hello, I have been coming to the boards for awhile, but my extreme boredom at work has caused me to go ahead and create an account. So hello.

Second, I always wondered what went through people's minds while they were in the middle of say a 3 or 4 lane highway going 55. Do these people not realize that people are trying to pass on both sides? This really causes some serious traffic with people who would normally go 65 now darting into the fast lane. (Trucks are included in this behavior)

Honestly I am just curious at why people do this? Is it because they can just set the car on cruise and not have to deal with people getting on and off exits? Hopefully that is not the case because that is truely selfish.

Because 99% of all drivers are stupid and worthless.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: KMDupont64

Originally posted by: CPA
You should always drive in the middle lane, unless you are passing or entering/exiting the highway.

BTW, can't tell from your scenario, but what's the speed limit on this road?

I apologize, I meant a major highway, for example, I-95 for you in the east, speed limit of 65.

I disagree with you that you should always drive in the center. I have always been taught, and firmly believe that you stay right, pass left. Driving in the center lane going slower than the flow of traffic is hazardous to everyone out there.

Driving slower than the flow of traffic is hazardous regardless of what lane you're in, though.

Yes, I don't disagree with you there, but would you say its better to be in the middle of the highway going slower than everyone else? Or on the right, where you should be if you are a slow driver.

I don't mind slow drivers, everyone can drive at their comfortable speed. The center lane is not designed to put cruise control on any speed you see fit and just drive. You are supposed to be alert at all times, that means pay attention to in front and BEHIND. If people are going faster, be polite and move to the right. Realize you(anyone) are a slower driver, and stay right. Seems logical to me. Driving in the center with no care for others is selfish.

 

[OREOSpeedwagon]

On the highways/interstates around here everyone stays in the middle lane and passes on the left lane unless they're entering or exiting.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: KMDupont64
Driving in the center with no care for others is selfish.

We'll have to agree to disagree. I'm in the Philly area which is relatively high traffic, and it seems to work ok with most people cruising in the middle and passing as necessary on whichever side is most convenient.

If traffic is so heavy that you can't get by on either side of someone in the middle, chances are you aren't going to be going very fast anyway.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: KMDupont64
Driving in the center with no care for others is selfish.

We'll have to agree to disagree. I'm in the Philly area which is relatively high traffic, and it seems to work ok with most people cruising in the middle and passing as necessary on whichever side is most convenient.

If traffic is so heavy that you can't get by on either side of someone in the middle, chances are you aren't going to be going very fast anyway.

I am also in the Philly area, and in my experience, drivers from DE and PA follow what you describe, but NJ I have had better luck where people stay right and pass left.

I disagree it works ok, I run into patches of traffic on 95 on a normal day where when I finally reach the front of this pocket, maybe 8 out of 10 times there is someone going "too slow" in the middle lane.

 

[skace]

There is nothing scarier looking than:
An empty right hand lane
A minivan in the middle lane going slower than the speed limit
A mac truck in the left hand lane slowly attempting to pass everything

And all the really fast drivers are passing via the right lane.

This happens quite a bit, so I can say I understand what you mean. I don't really understand why anyone going the same speed as someone in the right lane would get in the middle lane.

It has become quite common that the right hand lane is turning into a passing lane because people are constantly clogging the left handed lanes. This is very dangerous due to how highways were designed, you do not want cars passing in the same lane that other cars merge onto the highway in. *sigh*

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: KMDupont64
I am also in the Philly area, and in my experience, drivers from DE and PA follow what you describe, but NJ I have had better luck where people stay right and pass left.

Oh.
Well that is because in NJ we actually teach people how to drive correctly, so yes, when in NJ following the rules usually proves beneficial.

The exception are people from out-of-state driving as if they are from out-of-state.

However, in PA, NY and DE, they take a more....lax view on driving conventions.

In NJ, I actually do keep right even on 3/4 lane stretches.
In PA? Most of the time I'm in the left lane as long as there is someone in front of me who is also passing the middle lane.
When in Rome...

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: CPA
You should always drive in the middle lane, unless you are passing or entering/exiting the highway.

BTW, can't tell from your scenario, but what's the speed limit on this road?

we have a winnar!

also if there was something in the road you can go either left or right to avoid. Because we all know you're not supposed to actually drive NEXT to another vehicle.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Originally posted by: Jzero

Oh.
Well that is because in NJ we actually teach people how to drive correctly, so yes, when in NJ following the rules usually proves beneficial.

The exception are people from out-of-state driving as if they are from out-of-state.

However, in PA, NY and DE, they take a more....lax view on driving conventions.

In NJ, I actually do keep right even on 3/4 lane stretches.
In PA? Most of the time I'm in the left lane as long as there is someone in front of me who is also passing the middle lane.
When in Rome...

I'm with ya there, i'm from NJ too. Thats why driving in other states, or like you said, drivers from other states in NJ, always blew my mind when I saw them cruising in the center lane. Thanks for your input

 

[Fingolfin269]

I generally drive in the middle lane about 5 mph above the speed limit. I refuse to sit in the right hand lane and be someone's merge b!tch. If you want to go more than 5mph above the speed limit then feel free to pass me.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I generally drive in the middle lane about 5 mph above the speed limit. I refuse to sit in the right hand lane and be someone's merge b!tch. If you want to go more than 5mph above the speed limit then feel free to pass me.

I'm sorry but that attitude is why we have traffic. Traffic flows better when you stay right, pass left. Staying in the center lane because its "too much effort to switch lanes" when someone is coming onto the highway is just depressing. It really only takes one inconsiderate driver to cause traffic.

 

[Stark]

a: because they are dumb

the worst is the 5 between so cal and no cal on a weekend. you have a combination of dumb people driving too slow in the left lane (two lane hwy) and idiots doing 90+ weaving between lanes and tailgating everyone doing 75-80.

I finally figured out that driving up starting at 8 or 9 PM is the best way to avoid such people.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: KMDupont64

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I generally drive in the middle lane about 5 mph above the speed limit. I refuse to sit in the right hand lane and be someone's merge b!tch. If you want to go more than 5mph above the speed limit then feel free to pass me.

I'm sorry but that attitude is why we have traffic. Traffic flows better when you stay right, pass left. Staying in the center lane because its "too much effort to switch lanes" when someone is coming onto the highway is just depressing. It really only takes one inconsiderate driver to cause traffic.

Nope, what is your idea of 'traffic'? If everyone is going 5 mph over the speed limit in the middle lane and everyone is going greater than 5mph over the speed limit in any lane left of the middle lane (could be 4 lane highway) then where's the problem? That's a good flow.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269

Originally posted by: KMDupont64

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I generally drive in the middle lane about 5 mph above the speed limit. I refuse to sit in the right hand lane and be someone's merge b!tch. If you want to go more than 5mph above the speed limit then feel free to pass me.

I'm sorry but that attitude is why we have traffic. Traffic flows better when you stay right, pass left. Staying in the center lane because its "too much effort to switch lanes" when someone is coming onto the highway is just depressing. It really only takes one inconsiderate driver to cause traffic.

Nope, what is your idea of 'traffic'? If everyone is going 5 mph over the speed limit in the middle lane and everyone is going greater than 5mph over the speed limit in any lane left of the middle lane (could be 4 lane highway) then where's the problem? That's a good flow.

Ok because your "cruising" at 5 mph over the speed limit in the middle lane. That causes someone going 6 mph over the speed limit into the left lane to pass. Now if someone was actually following the rules, there is someone going the speed limit in the right lane. Now all lanes are blocked. That = traffic..

I can't picture a reason where you should be driving in the center lane with noone in front of you, unless you are passing someone in the right lane. If you do not return to the right lane after passing, that causes traffic.

I'm sorry but contrary to what some may think, 5 MPH over the speed limit is not fast, they should stay to the right.

It's easily summed up this way. If someone wants to go faster than you, move to the right. It's that simple. If people don't do that, that causes traffic.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: KMDupont64

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269

Originally posted by: KMDupont64

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I generally drive in the middle lane about 5 mph above the speed limit. I refuse to sit in the right hand lane and be someone's merge b!tch. If you want to go more than 5mph above the speed limit then feel free to pass me.

I'm sorry but that attitude is why we have traffic. Traffic flows better when you stay right, pass left. Staying in the center lane because its "too much effort to switch lanes" when someone is coming onto the highway is just depressing. It really only takes one inconsiderate driver to cause traffic.

Nope, what is your idea of 'traffic'? If everyone is going 5 mph over the speed limit in the middle lane and everyone is going greater than 5mph over the speed limit in any lane left of the middle lane (could be 4 lane highway) then where's the problem? That's a good flow.

Ok because your "cruising" at 5 mph over the speed limit in the middle lane. That causes someone going 6 mph over the speed limit into the left lane to pass. Now if someone was actually following the rules, there is someone going the speed limit in the right lane. Now all lanes are blocked. That = traffic..

I can't picture a reason where you should be driving in the center lane with noone in front of you, unless you are passing someone in the right lane. If you do not return to the right lane after passing, that causes traffic.

What's the problem here? Lanes are blocked from what? People wanting to travel 85 in a 65 during a time of high traffic volume? Sorry for the inconvenience.

Oh, and it's easier summed up (since you added to your previous post) that if someone wants to go faster than me then they can pass me on the left. If there is a lane to the left then the burden is on you to pass me on the left.. not the other way around. Now, if we're talking about a 2 lane highway, all traffic should stay in the far right lane unless they are passing a slower vehicle or allowing someone to merge onto the highway.

How long have you been driving anyway? I just have a feeling that the OP is not a 40 year old driver.