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Is there ANYBODY who is proposing going less than the legal minimum or poking along in the maniacal lane?
I think you missed the point. Regardless of what the speed limit is, if you are obstructing the flow of traffic in the left lane the law says to move.
But... since you asked. Give her a minute and THL will say she doesn't care what speed you want to drive (and in the left lane), she will drive the limit and if that hinders you, too bad.
I think you missed the point. Regardless of what the speed limit is, if you are obstructing the flow of traffic in the left lane the law says to move.
I was asking if anybody had a different idea.
Quote:
But... since you asked. Give her a minute and THL will say she doesn't care what speed you want to drive (and in the left lane), she will drive the limit and if that hinders you, too bad.
Then I would say she's dangerous. As I mentioned elsewhere, I used to write checks to cover other people's bad judgment.
The mindset of I'm going to follow the law to the letter (but only the laws I agree with) is definitely a dangerous position to take which I've seen a few folks on here subscribe to. That's why some laws are written with some room for an LEO to make a judgment call as to what is considered safe driving in a given situation.
If ten people are driving 80 in a 70 and the flow is smooth the law is going to look for disruptions in traffic flow. That could be from someone speeding past them, weaving in and out, driving too slow, blocking lanes, etc.... All of those situations are much more dangerous than everyone maintaining flow.
Of course there are exceptions to that rule and some gung-ho officers will try to stop everyone, or single someone out to meet a quota that they claim doesn't exist but for the most part (at least in my area) they tend to leave you alone as long as you aren't endangering other motorists.
The law allows for some judgment on behalf of law enforcement. If traffic is going 10mph over the limit on an interstate but the flow is consistent with little need for intervention then law enforcement may not bother anyone. That one guy who decides to run 15 mph over may get a ticket. Just as the person who is blocking traffic will get a ticket as well.
Alabama's specific law says:
Pay attention to the bolded:
Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;(2) When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway; provided, any person doing so shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;(3) Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; or(4) Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.(b) Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, 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.(c) Upon any roadway having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center line of the roadway, except when authorized by official traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes, or except as permitted under subsection (a)(2). However, this subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the center line in making a left turn into or from an alley, private road or driveway. - See more at: ALA CODE § 32-5A-80 : Alabama Code - Section 32-5A-80: DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY; EXCEPTIONS
That first bolded part up there applies to not driving on the side of the road where there is oncoming traffic
The normal speed of traffic part? You left out the statute regarding speed limit (why do people always do that? Wait, never mind, I know why they always do that, they only post the statute that they like that they think justifies their demands that people get out of their way so they can violate the other part).
Sec. 545.352. PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMITS.
(a) A speed in excess of the limits established by Subsection (b) or under another
provision of this subchapter is prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable
and prudent and that the speed is unlawful.
(b) Unless a special hazard exists that requires a slower speed for compliance with Section 545.351(b), the following speeds are lawful:
(1) 30 miles per hour in an urban district on a street other than an alley and 15 miles per hour in an alley;
(2) except as provided by Subdivision (4), 70 miles per hour on a highway numbered by this state or the United States outside an urban district, including a farm-to-market or ranch-to-market road;
(3) except as provided by Subdivision (4), 60 miles per hour on a highway that is outside an urban district and not a highway numbered by this state or the United States;
(4) outside an urban district:
(A) 60 miles per hour if the vehicle is a school bus that has passed a commercial motor vehicle inspection
And for those of you who are going to immediately insist that prima facie means there are no speed limits:
From Cornell University Law School legal dictionary:
Latin for "at first sight." Prima facie may be used as an adjective meaning "sufficient to establish a fact or raise a presumption unless disproved or rebutted;" e.g., prima facie evidence.
Meaning, basically, unless you can prove that you weren't driving over the speed limit, you're guilty of violating a law that exists.
That first bolded part up there applies to not driving on the side of the road where there is oncoming traffic
The normal speed of traffic part? You left out the statute regarding speed limit (why do people always do that? Wait, never mind, I know why they always do that, they only post the statute that they like that they think justifies their demands that people get out of their way so they can violate the other part).
Sec. 545.352. PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMITS.
(a) A speed in excess of the limits established by Subsection (b) or under another
provision of this subchapter is prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable
and prudent and that the speed is unlawful.
(b) Unless a special hazard exists that requires a slower speed for compliance with Section 545.351(b), the following speeds are lawful:
(1) 30 miles per hour in an urban district on a street other than an alley and 15 miles per hour in an alley;
(2) except as provided by Subdivision (4), 70 miles per hour on a highway numbered by this state or the United States outside an urban district, including a farm-to-market or ranch-to-market road;
(3) except as provided by Subdivision (4), 60 miles per hour on a highway that is outside an urban district and not a highway numbered by this state or the United States;
(4) outside an urban district:
(A) 60 miles per hour if the vehicle is a school bus that has passed a commercial motor vehicle inspection
And for those of you who are going to immediately insist that prima facie means there are no speed limits:
From Cornell University Law School legal dictionary:
Latin for "at first sight." Prima facie may be used as an adjective meaning "sufficient to establish a fact or raise a presumption unless disproved or rebutted;" e.g., prima facie evidence.
Meaning, basically, unless you can prove that you weren't driving over the speed limit, you're guilty of violating a law that exists.
Good grief.... haven't enough posters explained this to you already?
The law I posted is the keep right law. NOT to keep out of oncoming traffic, but to keep to the right.
b) Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, 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. - See more at: ALA CODE § 32-5A-80 : Alabama Code - Section 32-5A-80: DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY; EXCEPTIONS
(2) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
So now we've addressed that (again).
As for the speed part..... yes every state has speed limit laws. I don't know of anyone who is not aware of that. HOWEVER..... there are allowances made. One of which being:
Section - 32-5A-170:
No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.
Section 32-5A-173:
Whenever local authorities in their respective jurisdictions determine on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the maximum speed permitted under this article is greater or less than is reasonable and safe under the conditions found to exist upon a highway or part of a highway, the local authority may determine and declare a reasonable and safe maximum limit.
Here are the Texas laws....
Speed Limits
The maximum speed limit on most interstate and state highways in Texas is 75 miles per hour, although in some areas the speed limit may be higher because of fewer people traveling on certain roads. Speed limits on state highways can and often are set lower than the maximum and drivers should always be alert for changes in posted speed limits and driving conditions.
Observing speed limits means more than driving faster or slower than the posted speed: it means driving to conditions. When it's raining or foggy, when ice is on the road, when traffic is heavy or when road construction is ahead, adjust your speed accordingly.
Keep Right
Watch for signs on Texas multi-lane highways that read "Left Lane For Passing Only." These signs let you know that the left lane on a divided highway is not a "fast" lane; it is a passing lane.
After you pass someone, move into the right lane once you've safely cleared the vehicle. Impeding the flow of traffic by continuing to drive in the left lane is punishable by a fine of up to $200.
Uh..... 80 mph in a 70 mph zone isn't 133%..... It's between 14-15%.
If you're doing 133% over a 70 mph speed limit you're in an exotic car. That's 163 mph.
133% of is a completely different meaning than 133% over.
133% of 70 = 1.33 × 70 = 93.1 mph
133% over = 93.1 + 70 = 163.1 mph.
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1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;(2) When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway; provided, any person doing so shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;(3) Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; or(4) Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.(b) Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, 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.(c) Upon any roadway having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center line of the roadway, except when authorized by official traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes, or except as permitted under subsection (a)(2). However, this subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the center line in making a left turn into or from an alley, private road or driveway. - See more at: 
