In the left lane on the freeway: for camping, picnics or passing?

[mkarch]

Picnics...

Imagine Freeways Completely Devoid Of Cars - ALLDAY

[treuphax]

Originally Posted by Seacove

Is this a poll? I choose picnics.

Hey tomorrow the weather's supposed to be great.

Perhaps you'd like to join me on the 405 southbound curves overlooking Lake Washington at 5:15 pm for a lovely early supper picnic?

I'll bring the pasta salad and a bottle of wine.

[Andy Patrizio]

SF has this same problem. It drove me nuts.

OC doesn't have it because down here, if you drive too slow, the cops will pull you over. Anyone blocking a fast lane will at best get a chewing out or worst, a ticket.

Actually, no, the worst is someone will shoot you. That still happens here.

[GRF206]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

Sorry, I'm not buying it. Yes, there is the occasional "camper" that holds up traffic by driving the speed limit, but much more common is drivers who're simply moving from a slower lane to a faster lane, especially if there are a lot of trucks in the inner lanes.....

Don't think people are talking about rush hour or heavy traffic, where what you describe happens.

Oblivious campers happen even in light or medium traffic -- they have no business in the left lane.

[NeedSun25]

You can flash your lights at them, make hand gestures, ride them as close as you can, no matter what you do they will not move. Drives me CRAZY! The left lane is a passing lane. If you are not passing anyone-you should not be there.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by GRF206

Don't think people are talking about rush hour or heavy traffic, where what you describe happens.

Oblivious campers happen even in light or medium traffic -- they have no business in the left lane.

It still comes down to people wanting a higher-speed unimpeded path through traffic, which is unrealistic pretty much most of the day around here. If that's what you want, move to the Olympic Peninsula or eastern Washington.

"Passing" can mean getting past a half-dozen semis or cars merging (another thread). That doesn't mean there aren't "lane campers", but they aren't the prevalent phenomenon some would make them out to be. The proper response isn't horn honking or light blinking, but simply waiting for a way to open around them.

If you're driving 80 mph, you're bound to run into a slower driver in "your" lane.

[GRF206]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

but they aren't the prevalent phenomenon some would make them out to be

Just because you personally don't notice it, doesn't mean that many of the rest of us don't.