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This is one I just don't get. Based on my own casual observation, when Maine's "keep right" law is no longer in force (off the Interstate), the vast majority of traffic seems to stick to the left-hand lanes, even if there is no center divider. Obviously, people are going to use the left lane to turn left or to pass people in the right lane, but so many people just dilly-dally over there without doing either.
So I have a question: Why?
It seems like common sense that the lane closest to oncoming traffic would be the lane most at risk for a head-on collision. Why on earth would you choose to be there if you don't have to?
Perhaps to avoid traffic entering the highway and to allow it to enter smoothly without having to repeatedly change lanes every time there's an entrance ramp?
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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When instructing new drivers I have them come up with 10 legitimate reasons why NOT to linger in the left lane (unless driving on British syle roadways).
If they can't come up with at least 8, they need further instruction (or more time to think about getting killed while driving). (5 of 10 reasons significantly increase your odds of survival). 40 yrs of commercial driving, and witnessing and attending to many fatal accidents have only reinforced my points.
Perhaps to avoid traffic entering the highway and to allow it to enter smoothly without having to repeatedly change lanes every time there's an entrance ramp?
There are no entrance ramps; I'm talking about multi-lane city streets.
Which lane do you think is most at risk for a head-on collision? The lane closest to on-coming traffic, or the lane furthest away from it?
The risk of oncoming traffic is much smaller than the risk of people pulling out of parking spaces, parking lots, driveways, side streets, etc. or slowing to pull off the road, and they can be avoided by using the left lane.
Isn't there some way we can turn this into a liberals vs conservatives argument?
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