General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: For the "left lane is the fast lane" proponents: [View all]MineralMan
(146,411 posts)I drive almost daily for about four miles on a two lane per side surface street. For most of its length, the speed limit is 40 or 45 MPH, since it's not in a residential area. The lights are time-controlled, except at rush hour, when they're traffic-controlled. I use the right lane on this road, since there are so many left-turners and since most of my turns are right turns. I drive the speed limit, because that will let me hit the lights when they are green, because of the time-controlled nature of the lights.
Here's the funniest thing: Despite the speed limit, a lot of drivers just have to drive 55 MPH on this road in the 40 and 45 MPH sections. Since the right lane normally moves faster, due to the left turners and no left turn lanes, the faster drivers tend to rush up behind me, swerve into the left lane, and then back into the right lane after passing me. At 55 MPH, when they get to the light, it's red. So, I roll up on them at the light. They've gained nothing by traveling faster than the limit, but risk getting a speeding ticket, since the local police department uses that road as a revenue enhancer by busting speeders.
By insisting on driving faster than the speed limit, they lose the benefit of the timed traffic signals, risk getting a speeding ticket, and get down the road in exactly the same time as I do by driving right at the speed limit. What have they gained? I'll never understand why they do that. It makes no practical sense at all.
People are sometimes really stupid.