First impressions after driving in the Pittsburgh/Monroeville area (live, cost)

[lifepgh2op]

Originally Posted by amsherwo

Hmm...I just moved to Pittsburgh myself, and the way you folks in Pittsburgh drive has certainly made quite an impression on me. Apparently, nobody understands the concept of the left lane as the passing lane here in Pittsburgh, nor do they know how to use their turn signals. And could you guys spring for some road signs? I've never lived somewhere where so few roads actually are labeled!! It makes getting around town a *****!!!!

Funny you should mention that. I felt the same way about the left lane when I lived around Akron and Cleveland for 5 years! Cleveland is funny because most of the highways are 6-8 lanes wide...yet all the cars are right next to each other in each lane. It's almost pointless to have all the lanes since you're just locked in. Good luck here, though. It's a lot of the same as NE Ohio but a little different, too.

[amsherwo]

Originally Posted by lifepgh2op

Funny you should mention that. I felt the same way about the left lane when I lived around Akron and Cleveland for 5 years! Cleveland is funny because most of the highways are 6-8 lanes wide...yet all the cars are right next to each other in each lane. It's almost pointless to have all the lanes since you're just locked in. Good luck here, though. It's a lot of the same as NE Ohio but a little different, too.

I actually just moved here from the Akron area, and while people there also drive in the left land with their heads up their asses, I never encountered it to such an extreme extent as I have living here!! The left lane is for passing folks!!!!

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by amsherwo

I never, ever drive slowly in the left lane...EVER!!!! All you Pittsburgh folks seem to though!!! That's what I meant! And it's even like, trucks and such!!!

In that case, learn to pass on the right, and it won't be a problem for you!

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by amsherwo

The left lane is for passing folks!!!!

Just pass in whatever lane is available.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Just pass in whatever lane is available.

This is a practical necessity in Pittsburgh, but I should note it is also relatively unsafe.

[Copanut]

Very few people these days are taking Driver's Ed since most high schools have cancelled those programs. That was a good way to learn, too many people these days don't seem to know the basic rules of the road.

And I agree with BTH, passing on the right is dangerous.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by COPANUT

Very few people these days are taking Driver's Ed since most high schools have cancelled those programs. That was a good way to learn, too many people these days don't seem to know the basic rules of the road.

It's not as often the young people who are driving slow in the left lane.

Originally Posted by COPANUT

And I agree with BTH, passing on the right is dangerous.

Agreed. But it's necessary. I was behind someone who was going 15mph yesterday on a 45mph road for the longest time I swear that person added 20 minutes onto my little trip running errands. It was a two way street so I couldn't pass. There are people who drive almost as slow on the four lane roads in the left lane.

[Mugatu]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Agreed. But it's necessary. I was behind someone who was going 15mph yesterday on a 45mph road for the longest time I swear that person added 20 minutes onto my little trip running errands. It was a two way street so I couldn't pass. There are people who drive almost as slow on the four lane roads in the left lane.

I post it in just about every traffic thread in this fourm, but I am still totally baffled as to why people drive so freakin' slow in this area. And I'm not referring to the blue-haired 90 year-old that can't see above the wheel, but average young or middle-aged men and women driving well below the speed limit. I see it all the time. People don't drive like this in other cities, they want to get to their destination and not catch every red light. But I guess Pittsburghers like to sit in their cars all day.

[amsherwo]

Originally Posted by Hopes

In that case, learn to pass on the right, and it won't be a problem for you!

I am very happy (and capable) of passing on the right, but as it is illegal in many states, I'd prefer not to get fined b/c some jackass is riding the left lane. Is it illegal to pass on the right in PA?

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by amsherwo

Is it illegal to pass on the right in PA?

This is from the PA Vehicle Code:

§ 3304. Overtaking vehicle on the right.
(a) General rule.--The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under one of the following conditions:
(1) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn, except that such movement shall not be made by driving off the berm or shoulder of the highway.
(2) Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaken vehicle, except that such movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway.
(b) Limitation.--No passing movement under this section shall be made unless the movement can be made in safety.

I read 3304(a)(2) as allowing passing on the right if there is an open lane on a highway. I have certainly never seen or heard of someone being pulled over in Pittsburgh for doing so.