Funny thing is, we wouldn't be having this conversation in Europe. :rolleyes:

C'mon, Mull - just give us the skinny, man!

Yeah, people passed me by just last Wednesday when I went up to SF. I stay out of the left lane and the right lane. I leave room on the left. If that irritates someone behind me, I don't give a rat's ass.

I think the cop would have a severe problem making a case for going over 65 in car pool lane.

Got any law to support your idea.

That jackass, Schwarzekennedy, appeased the enviro-wackos by allowing hybrids to strut their elitist-mobiles in the carpool lane...Stroke of brilliance...Give the holier-than-thou snobs the right to clog up the FAST lane with one of the slowest cars on the road...All because of the global warming myth.

No, Jeff. It's the law. If you want to break it, be my guest. I won't be intimidated to do the same.

Sing, go call the CHP. My local CHP said there is no basis for pulling someone over for doing 65 in the car pool lane, as you described.


Nul, the car pool lane is not the fast lane. It is the one to the far left exclusive of the car pool lane.

My dad was a police officer for 25 years. In his opinion, many severe wrecks are caused by folks driving at or above the speed limit in the left lane. When you force a fast-moving car to pass on the right, accidents occur. If you are in the left lane going 80 and someone is coming up at a faster speed, the law requires you to yield the left lane.

Ready for the real kicker? Obstructing the flow of traffic is generally a more severe and costly infraction than speeding because it is more dangerous.

Moses, apples and oranges.
The car pool lane is not the fast lane. I yield to faster cars if I go in the fast lane.

But those that don't need to be aware of that.

Here is the California law;

21654. (a) Notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits, any
vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal
speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall be
driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable
to the right-hand edge or curb, except when overtaking and passing
another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing
for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or
driveway.
(b) If a vehicle is being driven at a speed less than the normal
speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time, and is
not being driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as
practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, it shall constitute prima
facie evidence that the driver is operating the vehicle in violation
of subdivision (a) of this section.
(c) The Department of Transportation, with respect to state
highways, and local authorities, with respect to highways under their
jurisdiction, may place and maintain upon highways official signs
directing slow-moving traffic to use the right-hand traffic lane
except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or preparing for a
left turn.

No, because slow fast-lane driving like what you're defending has already caused an accident, so there's no one to pull over.

So what do you do, Steve, if you're in the fast lane and a car comes up behind you at around 80? Do you move to the right and let the overtaking car pass, or do you continual inside the lane you're in?

That is applicable to two lane highways as local CHP will tell you.

Oh, okay: disregard my question.

But here's another: if a faster car is bearing down on you in the car pool lane, do you move out of the way at the first chance you get, and let that car proceed?

dd74, I guess I'll say it again.

The car pool lane is not the fast lane.

When I am not in the car pool lane I stay out of the fast lane most of the time. And if I see someone speeding up behind me when I am in the fast lane, I move to the right.

If you have 5 cars behind you in your diamond lane, the law requires you to get out of the diamond lane, regardless of your speed.

21656. On a two-lane highway where passing is unsafe because of
traffic in the opposite direction or other conditions, a slow-moving
vehicle, including a passenger vehicle, behind which five or more
vehicles are formed in line, shall turn off the roadway at the
nearest place designated as a turnout by signs erected by the
authority having jurisdiction over the highway, or wherever
sufficient area for a safe turnout exists, in order to permit the
vehicles following it to proceed. As used in this section a
slow-moving vehicle is one which is proceeding at a rate of speed
less than the normal flow of traffic at the particular time and
place.

dd74.
In the car pool lane, I stay unless it is an emergency vehicle. Usually, the really fast guy behind me goes around me and jumps back into the car pool lane.

Moses, that only applies to two lane highways. That is not applicable to car pool lane on multi lane freeways.

What you have to realize is that the guy that caused the accident by not following the yield law is always unaware that he did.

He was not at the scene of the accident, and is convinced that he is the only person driving legally by sticking to his rigid stance and position in the lane (in violation of the law).

I think Steve has illustrated the point perfectly.

Steve, you're number 1. I have no doubt that the people passing you on the right are telling you that too.

Creating another wrinkle in the composite that makes up congestion. This type of behavior is not only dangerous but consumes more of the demon fossil fuel as those around you are forced to slow down or speed up in the process of moving traffic around you.

So the car pool lane is exempt from normal traffic laws? NOT!

I just called my dad for clarification. The carpool lane is treated as a single lane highway. If it is safe to pull to the right to allow faster traffic to pass, it is your requirement to do so.

Are you REALLY saying that if you are in the car pool lane, driving at speedlimit and a faster car flashes their lights you will refuse to yield the lane and force them to pass on the right? If so, you are not only breaking the law but you might be a butt-head as well. ;)

Again, you guys need to read what I write. I follow the yield law where it is applicable. It is not applicable to the car pool lane unless one is demonstrably going less than speed limit, and it is possible to safely move to another lane. The car pool lane is not the fast lane.

Ironically, the car pool lane is on the right on many expressways in San Jose area. Your reasoning would dictate someone to move illegally into the car pool lane if the cars behind him were coming up on him.

Moses, call the CHP. No problem being a butt head. I do have a problem with lawbreakers.

Sing, yeah I tell them they are number two. Peace sign.