Misuse and common practice in the United States Passing lane

1 misuse , common practice in united states

1.1 signage
1.2 proper use
1.3 hammer lane

misuse , common practice in united states

an suv prepares pass slower moving car, using passing lane in rural utah

common practice , law on united states highways left lane reserved passing , faster moving traffic, , traffic using left lane must yield traffic wishing overtake. evidence exists demonstrating efficiency of practice.

the united states uniform vehicle code states:

upon roadways vehicle proceeding @ less normal speed of traffic @ time , place , under conditions existing shall driven in right-hand lane available traffic ...

it illegal in many states in use far left or passing lane on major highway traveling lane (as opposed passing), or fail yield faster moving traffic attempting overtake in lane. example, colorado s left lane law states:

a person shall not drive motor vehicle in passing lane of highway if speed-limit sixty-five miles per hour

or more unless such person passing other motor-vehicles in non-passing lane...

in other states, such massachusetts, new jersey, maine, illinois, pennsylvania, , others, illegal fail yield traffic seeks overtake in left lane, or create other obstruction in passing lane hinders flow of traffic. result, heavy trucks prohibited using passing lane.

the left lane commonly referred fast lane , not accurate description of lane s purpose. left lane designated passing lane, however, vehicles in left lane must obey posted speed limits. common problem arising misuse of left lane speeding , tailgating. these actions create road rage , increase overall danger.

a driver hoping pass slow motorist in fast lane can stuck in awkward situation. 1 strategy signal lane change toward center median. flash headlights. third, dangerous , illegal, drive close fast lane driver s bumper (this known tailgating).

most commonly, motorists attempt overtake outer car on inner lane either continue @ fast pace or pass car going in passing lane. on high-capacity multilane freeways (three or more lanes per direction), many motorists pass on inner lane, largely in response misuse of passing lane slower traffic.

in areas, such states of colorado , kentucky, vehicles in left lane required yield faster traffic if speed limit above 65 miles per hour. in other areas, alaska, there no law requiring slower traffic move on faster traffic.

signage

the use of passing lanes faster traffic acknowledged signs using phrases such slower traffic keep right (in canada, passing lane left). in study aashto subcommittee on traffic engineering, 24 states involved used form of passing lane courtesy signage, 9 of use signs steep graded roads.

proper use

many areas make illegal fail yield faster traffic have exceptions rules. of these exceptions include preparing make left turn, taking exit located on left side of roadway, avoiding traffic merging onto roadway, or overtaking , passing vehicle.

in quebec, illegal travel in left lane when not passing when speed limit on 80 km/h (50 mph).

truckers use passing lane in moderate traffic legal reduce travel times, in many areas, tractor trailers banned using passing lane safety reasons; these restrictions found along urban, congested highways multiple lanes (e.g. interstate 40 west of raleigh, north carolina), or on rural freeways 6 or more lanes (3 in each direction).

hammer lane

the hammer lane term passing lane. etymology originated truckers in north america in reference slamming accelerator foot hammer.)

hov lanes not considered hammer lanes, used express travel commuters.