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IF you are going 55 in the HOV lane and the regular lanes are moving faster you are a traffic impediment. No one is saying that you have to drive 75-80 or be reckless, but poking around at 55 with no one in front of you and a line of cars behind you is actually more dangerous than driving at 60-65. Get out of the passing lane and HOV if you want to drive 55.
To play devil's advocate... why is it reckless, other than getting other drivers angry, to go the speed limit in the HOV lane? HOV doesn't mean you get to drive faster, it's a way to promote car pooling during high-traffic times.
It sounds like the only problem this would cause would be that the drivers behind the 55mph-er can't pass someone going the speed limit... so, theoretically, there actually is no problem with it.
To play devil's advocate... why is it reckless, other than getting other drivers angry, to go the speed limit in the HOV lane? HOV doesn't mean you get to drive faster, it's a way to promote car pooling during high-traffic times.
It sounds like the only problem this would cause would be that the drivers behind the 55mph-er can't pass someone going the speed limit... so, theoretically, there actually is no problem with it.
The purpose of the HOV was to allow vehicles with more people on it to traverse a road in a more efficient manner. If the regular lanes are moving faster than the HOV (happens often) because someone is poking around at 55, all you are doing is making the HOV into a traffic jam. You arent saving time or gas anymore at this point. This promotes people to go back to the regular lanes.
It doesn't matter what the speed limit is, the left lane IS ONLY for passing. Travel at the proper speed is STILL only supposed to be done in the middle lane or right lanes. The limits are foolish and outdated. You should be able to pass at the speed of sound if you like (and be liable for a citation). The left lane is only there for passing. It comes back to people understanding the rules of the road. PASSING LANE means it's for PASSING. Speed limit should not even matter. If you get a ticket for passing at greater than the posted speed, you're busted. That's fine. Being forced to pass on the right is a hazard to EVERYONE.
Traveling at ANY speed in the left lane is improper UNLESS you are passing. I still don't get why this is complicated.
The purpose of the HOV was to allow vehicles with more people on it to traverse a road in a more efficient manner. If the regular lanes are moving faster than the HOV (happens often) because someone is poking around at 55, all you are doing is making the HOV into a traffic jam. You arent saving time or gas anymore at this point. This promotes people to go back to the regular lanes.
But again, going > 55mph was not the intention of the HOV lane nor the regular travel lanes.
But again, going > 55mph was not the intention of the HOV lane nor the regular travel lanes.
It's hard to say. 55mph laws were enacted more as knee jerk political reaction to the energy crisis of the 70s and not so much for public safety. There were no HOV lanes then. Maybe the intent was for the HOV lane to travel quicker but there was no political will to change the speed limits. The HOV lane has to play the already foolish hand it was dealt and become another slow lane. It's just more dumb political cowardess. The HOV should be an express lane and of course have a higher speed limit.
That's like saying we should let people shoplift because it doesnt amount to that much money.
55 is the law. It should be obeyed.
Absolutely ridiculous analogy. 55 is not reflective of societal norms or safety studies and was devised to gain political favor during the energy crisis. Many areas have higher speed limits without incident. If the laws are completely ignored and unenforced, that is the impetus for change.
Referendum both. See if 65mph passes or legalizing shoplifting passes.
It doesn't matter what the speed limit is, the left lane IS ONLY for passing. Travel at the proper speed is STILL only supposed to be done in the middle lane or right lanes. The limits are foolish and outdated. You should be able to pass at the speed of sound if you like (and be liable for a citation). The left lane is only there for passing. It comes back to people understanding the rules of the road. PASSING LANE means it's for PASSING. Speed limit should not even matter. If you get a ticket for passing at greater than the posted speed, you're busted. That's fine. Being forced to pass on the right is a hazard to EVERYONE.
Traveling at ANY speed in the left lane is improper UNLESS you are passing. I still don't get why this is complicated.
I heard that "rule" (which is well-enforced on the Garden State Parkway, for example) is not applicable on very high traffic highways like SSP, NSP, LIE and those in NYC. Due to the sheer volume of traffic on these roadways, "reserving" a whole lane for passing only would cause endless traffic jams.
I heard that "rule" (which is well-enforced on the Garden State Parkway, for example) is not applicable on very high traffic highways like SSP, NSP, LIE and those in NYC. Due to the sheer volume of traffic on these roadways, "reserving" a whole lane for passing only would cause endless traffic jams.
Not true at all. It would improve flow and ease traffic. That's why it's the rule. Obviously in times of heavy traffic, passing isn't the issue, but if the current top speed is 25mph, the left is STILL the passing lane, not the travel lane. No one should have to go into the right lane to pass around cars moving below the average rate of speed in the left lane. They should MOVE OVER. Doesn't matter if it's 10 mph or 70mph. It works on the GSP, LIE, Italian highways and the Autobahn. Unfortunately it only works when people know how to drive.
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