Left lane hoggers. Talk to me!

[911 Rod]

We all see people riding the left lane on 4 lane roads holding faster traffic up frustrating everyone.
I figure it must be 5% of the population that does this.
So I assume 5% of the members here do it as well.
Please, please tell me why? You must support what you are doing in your own mind.
Send me a PM and I can post your comment anonymously if you want.
What do you say left lane hoggers?

[Bugsinrugs]

My wife is a hogger. I usually do the driving but when she does I constantly tell her if cars are passing you on the right you don’t belong in the left lane. A group of people that never look in their mirrors to see cars coming up or tail gating them. They seem oblivious to the world.

[2.7RS]

Probably clueless distracted people.

I really think they are not aware.

Honestly nothing malicious I think

[matthewb0051]

Away from population centers here people are pretty good about traveling in right lane. However, on I-35 between San Antonio and Austin, just forget about it. It is an absolute free for all, left lane, center, right, passing on the right, weaving in and out of traffic to save a minute or two.

[herr_oberst]

One of my biggest gripes is that America doesn't train people how to drive. Left lane hogs are just one symptom of that failure, and I don't understand why there's never any desire by the powers-that-be to try and address this frustration. The savings in time and fuel would be astronomical.

(A corollary gripe to the "Why aren't we discussing this" is studded snow tires. Modern winter tires mostly negate the need for steel studs, and my taxes are paying for the (mostly preventable) road repair, but that's another thread)

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by 2.7RS

Probably clueless distracted people.

I really think they are not aware.

Honestly nothing malicious I think

I agree. Many drivers have no clue. They just motor along in a "trance" with the cruise set and listening to an audiobook.

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

One of my biggest gripes is that America doesn't train people how to drive. Left lane hogs are just one symptom of that failure, and I don't understand why there's never any desire by the powers-that-be to try and address this frustration. The savings in time and fuel would be astronomical.

100%. We should all have to retest w/ the DMV every 5 years to keep our licenses. At least the written test as most people don't seem to know basic driving rules laws like left turning into the closest lane, not changing lanes in an intersection, etc.

[Norm K]

Color me the occasional hogger: if the speed limit is 65 and I'm in the left lane doing 72-75, consistently passing slower traffic in the right lane, you can forget about me moving over and squeezing between two slower cars just so you can exceed the speed limit by even more.

_

[jamesnmlaw]

Why wonder? Seems like a lot of people use their car as a mobile dining room or phone booth (remember those?). Can't even use their turn signals or park between the lines.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by Norm K

Color me the occasional hogger: if the speed limit is 65 and I'm in the left lane doing 72-75, consistently passing slower traffic in the right lane, you can forget about me moving over and squeezing between two slower cars just so you can exceed the speed limit by even more.

_

Thank you for coming forward.
Anyone else?

[matthewb0051]

Fines and enforcement may force change:

On a German Autobahn, it is not only a recommendation, he said, it is a law to drive in the right lane whenever possible. To pass a slower car, a driver has to change to the left lane. It is forbidden to pass cars on the right side. If a driver infringes this rule and the German Polizei sees that, a fine of up to 450 euros might be imposed. The only exceptions to the rule are getting on the Autobahn, exiting it or being stuck in a traffic jam.

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/373613/german-traffic-rules-differ-us-rules#:~:text=On%20a%20German%20Autobahn%2C%20it,c ars%20on%20the%20right%20side.

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

One of my biggest gripes is that America doesn't train people how to drive. Left lane hogs are just one symptom of that failure...snip

Above all else, this^^^. I'm a former Certified Smith System Driving Instructor. driver education is soooo important. But we'll have the vast majority of drivers say things like "I'm an excellent driver!"

But when I ask about their training history they admit having none, not one bit. Yet they're "excellent".

Originally Posted by Nickshu

I agree. Many drivers have no clue. They just motor along in a "trance" with the cruise set and listening to an audiobook.

I use cruise all the time, it's an excellent way to allow focus on the many other tasks of driving.

Also, ever notice cars will aggressively pass that "left laner", only to immediately dive directly back into the left lane themselves?

Let me guess..."I'm going faster, I'm allowed to be in the left lane!"

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Norm K

Color me the occasional hogger: if the speed limit is 65 and I'm in the left lane doing 72-75, consistently passing slower traffic in the right lane, you can forget about me moving over and squeezing between two slower cars just so you can exceed the speed limit by even more.

_

I have to ask - do you eventually move over once you have cleared the slower traffic and have plenty of room to do so?

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

Also, ever notice cars will aggressively pass that "left laner", only to immediately dive directly back into the left lane themselves?

Let me guess..."I'm going faster, I'm allowed to be in the left lane!"

Because they aren’t holding anyone up and are continuing to pass cars to the right of them.

[ted]

Worse is towing (under 8,000lbs with 800ftlb of TQ) and required to stay in the right 2 lanes.
Too often freeway chess checkmate.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

100%. We should all have to retest w/ the DMV every 5 years to keep our licenses. At least the written test as most people don't seem to know basic driving rules laws like left turning into the closest lane, not changing lanes in an intersection, etc.

^^^ This.
Drivers training is terrible. If a person can breathe...they get a drivers license.
This is true for MI...other states may be different.

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by Norm K

Color me the occasional hogger: if the speed limit is 65 and I'm in the left lane doing 72-75, consistently passing slower traffic in the right lane, you can forget about me moving over and squeezing between two slower cars just so you can exceed the speed limit by even more.

_

My thoughts exactly.

[Rikao4]

in another time folks at Hertz and the like..
would get calls from Americans parked along the Autobahn / Piste..
near Airports..
Help..
they are going so fast...
Takes skill to drive / enjoy them..


Rika

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I have to ask - do you eventually move over once you have cleared the slower traffic and have plenty of room to do so?

I have no problem with left laners as long as they are passing slower traffic. That is what the left lane is for and I’ll wait my turn. Once they get clear they do need to move to the right and allow faster traffic through. Left lane hogs who camp out on the left with traffic passing on the right are the problem. They are either clueless, entitled, or think they are the self-appointed speed monitor.

[island911]

Even worse is the left lane camper carpool not getting into the carpool lane.

I guess they have a good conversation going and enjoy being clueless about those around them.