Get out? Driving in the fast lane… the passing lane? GTFO

Driving in the left lane is more legal and appropriate than you think. In fact, it is a safety issue where you SHOULD be driving in the left lane

***EARLY DRAFT Feel free to send thoughts.***
***Photo examples and legal quotes missing.***
***OTHER EXAMPLES?***

In urban areas, a lot of the “only when passing” is a little looser.

• EXCEPTIONS TO RESERVING LEFT LANE FOR “FAST”, “PASSING”
• Left Exits… How far early counts? General assumption is 1 mile = 1 minute…
  • 1 mile?
  • 2 miles?
  • I-29/35 North out of North Kansas City starts the short dotted exit line about .75 miles before the split. Does that mean another .75 for your buffer to be ready for that exit lane? i.e. 1.5 miles or 90 second {{{SEE PIC}}}
• Left On ramps?
  • How long after the end of the ramp should people get into the right lane? Does heavy traffic matter? i.e. congestion as noted below
  • Knowing there is an on-ramp coming in soon, should fast traffic and passing vehicles even be in the left lane as the oncoming traffic will naturally be going slower just like right lane traffic is normally going slower in most cases.
• Splits: left / right:
  • 3 lane splitting into two two lane highways:
    • looking at the above I-29/35 split example {{{See other pic of I-29}}},
      • The middle lane IS the fast lane for I-35. For the left split (I-29), that Makes the right, non-exit only lane the fast lane.
      • As noted above, the left lane is the exit lane as noted with the short dotted line.
      • Also, looking at the I-29 portion, it is encouraged for most traffic to be in the far left lane as I-35 southbound and Davidson Rd quickly merges into northbound I-29, and that traffic is often quite heavy.
  • 4 lane splits: 4 lanes into two 2 lane highways. This one is a tough one.
    • My main example (I-29N/635S Split) includes 2 immediate on ramps, and a 55 MPH speed limit, and the middle two lanes being super fast as the 3rd lane acts as the left/fast lane for the right split, and the second lane being super fast (Often 65 MPH) as people try and match the speed of the 3rd lane so they can Zipper merge. This is extra tough as the left on ramp is mostly going north, and the right on ramp is 50/50 north and south so there is a lot of traffic trying to cross 2 or 3 lanes of traffic. This crisscross also means that to make room for all the lane changes, everyone NOT actively changing lanes should get to the FAR LEFT or FAR RIGHT lanes. {{{SEE SATALITE VIEW}}}
    • Other examples exist
  • Congested areas:
    • Urban areas are often congested, and with a ton of cars, they should distribute across all lanes.
    • When there is a heavy on ramp, even 3 lanes really mean 2 lanes and a multi use pho limited access ramp lane {{{???what are these called???}}}. This means 3 lanes of traffic need to for the most part distribute between the left two lanes to make room for all the merging traffic. For example 435 E/W on the south side of Kansas City. You have the Roe & Nall exits that enter and exit from an extra lane separated from the through lanes. {{{SHOW PIC}}}. An example of a multi-use version, look at I-70 east bound where I-470 North Merges in. The traffic is so heavy that essentially all the traffic is enough to fill a lane of its own. Traffic is often so crowded east bound that all three lanes can be bumper to bumper. In essence, to allow for the merging traffic, people knowing about the merge distribute between the left two lanes. Especially leaving room in the middle lane for those not in the know to make a sudden lane change as there is no room in the 3rd/Right lane for all the merging traffic. {{{SHOW PIC}}} — East of this point is horrible as too many through vehicles are staying in the right lane despite the right lane being exit only in 3 miles.
    • We are passing! More Congestion…. Often, if I am behind another car, and we are passing the right cars, we continue in the left lane. Especially if there is little room to A: Change into the right lane, and B: little room to get back into the left lane
    • YES, I am going slow in the left lane even though there is essentially no traffic here. This once again falls under congestion. If we have two through lanes and an exit lane, you will have people in the far left lane going slower. AT NO POINT should people go more than 20 mph faster than the adjacent lane. You must be cautious and ready for someone to suddenly pull into the next lane. This goes anytime, but
      • Example one is an exit ramp with two open lanes: The ramp is at a complete stop for a quarter mile. People will often try to get out to either go to another exit, or cut in later. You do not want to rear end someone, so lane 2 is going 20 MPH, then, to accommodate the potential for those in that lane needing to make sudden reactions if a car pulls out, the left lane should NOT go more than 40 MPH, that is 20 MPH faster than lane 2.
      • The same happens on any two lane road where the other lane is slow or stopped. the other lane should not go more than 20 MPH faster than the slowest lane.
      • the 20 MPH rule? Yes, its in effect several places where its easier to quantify.
        • First, in general, going 20 MPH over the speed limit will often get you a dangerous driving arrest.
          {{{ ??? CAN WE FIND AT LEAST ONE LAW TO QUOTE ??? }}}
        • Second, many jurisdictions prohibit emergency vehicles from going more than 20 MPH over the speed limit. Several cases have been heard that have ruled jurisdictions liable for deaths where the employees were going that fast.
          {{{ ??? CAN WE FIND CASE HISTORY TO QUOTE ??? }}}
  • Road conditions: if the right lane is in poor condition, vehicles may travel in the left lane (NOTED IN Michigan law. MCL 257.634)
  • Specifically Not allowed: Impeding the flow of traffic
    • (NOTED IN Michigan law. MCL 257.634) If not overtaking traffic. i.e. No “Alabama Road Block / Rolling Road block. As long as you’re passing to some point.
    • You have traffic backed up behind you with none in front of you.