Do you love the left lane?
When you head out on the open road, do you automatically steer toward the left lane because that’s traditionally where “faster” drivers are known to go? And while there’s nothing wrong with using the left lane as it’s intended, people who drive slowly in that lane could find themselves in trouble with the law.
Much of the current misunderstanding over the left lane stems from the 55 mph national speed limit that was enacted in 1974, according to the National Motorists Association (NMA), a grassroots drivers’ alliance that lobbies for traffic regulations and safety issues. Before this, passing on the left was an unwritten rule of the road, but after the speed limit was enacted, drivers believed that if they were maintaining the posted speed limit then they could chill anywhere. “Because the speed limit was too low, drivers trying to pass weren’t allowed to and it caused a lot of problems, and it still does,” says Shelia Dunn, Communications Director of the NMA.
Reserving the left lane only for passing other cars—known as “lane courtesy”—reaps surprising benefits, however. Here’s why you should reserve your left-lane use for passing only.
You’ll Avoid Tickets And Fines
People have different interpretations of how to drive in the left lane, but staying there when you’re not passing isn’t allowed in most states, despite what some drivers might think. Blame the confusion on the lack of a nationwide law. In 29 states, there are laws that any car moving slower than the surrounding traffic should be in the right lane, while other states are stricter and designate the left lane only for turning or passing. In Georgia, it’s actually a misdemeanor to move slower in the left lane than surrounding traffic. This year, Tennessee cracked down and now has established a $50 fine for slow left-lane drivers.
It’s Safer
Beyond avoiding fines (always a plus!), abiding by lane courtesy makes the roads safer for everyone, as faster drivers have a quick and easy way to get around slower drivers. “You’re less likely to get into an accident because traffic is always flowing and more consistent,” says Dunn.
You’ll Save On Gas
Following the letter of the law can save you a few bucks, too. Maintaining your speed and sticking to the right can get you better gas mileage. You’re also doing planet Earth a solid. Less weaving in and out of lanes is more fuel-efficient and better for the environment, so even if you forgot to recycle last week, you can still be a tad proud of yourself if you stick to the right.
You’ll Stress Less
Trying to zip around cars doesn’t significantly improve your commute time, either. “If you remain at a consistent speed limit and only drive to the left if you need to, you’re going to ultimately get to your destination faster,” says Dunn. Plus, lane courtesy might just be the quickest cure for road rage. “If you’re weaving in and out and cutting people off, you may cause road rage in others, and that’s what we really need to stop,” says Dunn.
Of course lane courtesy is easier said than done, especially in states with heavily trafficked motorways. But you don’t have to give up entirely. “Don’t just park yourself in one of the middle lanes,” recommends Dunn. “You should really be cognizant of trucks and what everyone around you is doing, and try to drive right as much as possible.” But staying in the right lane doesn’t mean you can zone out, either: Remember to be aware of and make room for merging vehicles.
In the end, lane courtesy actually helps all drivers treat one another as equals on the road—and makes the highways and freeways a safer space for everyone.
Before you take off to your next destination, get a fast, free auto insurance quote from GEICO to see how much you could save.
Next: The rules of the road aren’t always cut and dry, so take our “Are You a Good Driver?” quiz to find out how you compare with your fellow motorists.
By Kara Cutruzzula
Sonny Edwards says,
I drove from CT. to Nashville and back and the most frustrating thing is truckers in the passing lane trying to pass another truck at 1 mph faster than the truck he’s trying to pass and taking 1 mile to it. And lets not forget about the truck that pulls out into the passing lane at the start of a hill. Let’s not stop with the trucker, passenger cars that are in the left lane other than to pass need to be ticketed because they are to stupid to be educated.
Barry Gorsuch says,
I am so thrilled to see this!!!! My company requires me to take a Safety Driving Course annually – This year it was taught on line by “Smith System, Drive Different, Saves Lives” out of Arlington Texas – They did have many “Good” driving suggestions, but one of the ones that upset me was them suggesting moving your car all the way to the left lane -They called it “THE SAFE LANE” – This “Should you only use the left lane to pass” information needs to be explained to Smith System – GEICO, can you please do that?
Michael Thurston says,
I could not have said it any better. As a former trucker how would you feel if a trucker, on a two lane Interstate highway (95 South comes to mine) decided he was going to put his rig in the left lane and drive down the road at 55 miles per hour. I also believe it is time to get rid of the 55 miles per hour speed, as was said in this article. The slower speed limit is part of the problem. I saw a documentary on what President Eisenhowser envisioned when he returned from the war in Germany. I say it is time to open the highways up, we are the biggest cause for all of the congestion.
Cynthia Schuman says,
Your right slow drivers in left lane are very dangerous.They also get nervous when there are five cars behind them waiting to pass. They seem to be afraid to pull back into the right lane.Which causes everyone in the right lane to slam on their brakes. NOT SAFE. Also watch for cars entering highways.So what if someone gets in front of you.At least you will make it to where you are going safely.I also flash my lights when a truck is trying to get back in the right lane to lt them know there is enough room.It seems like everyone is trying to get nowhere fast.
Brian Schmitt says,
All these comments are great but the bottom line is most of the multi-car accidents are caused by people not observing the three second rule and TAILGATING and not using turn signals ALWAYS. Rude should not be the norm people.
daniel says,
Fast lane on highway (I-95 for me) needs to be 70+ mph. Slow drivers in the fast lane are what causes most traffic and dangerous weaving! To many unintelligent drivers on the road…
Gloria Steiner says,
Car safety
Thadius T. Guido says,
In the Birminham Alabama area. folks pass mainly on the right. Slower traffic is in all lanes. Typicul of this backwards state.
Eric says,
I try to find the lane moving at the speed I’m most comfortable at, and try to stay there. If the lane to the left is moving slower, I’m certainly not going to hold my lane up. I’m going to move right with it, maintaining safe distances and making sure I’m seen. I guess what’s really important to me is finding a lane that feels safe and moving with it.
If I’m alone, I prefer to pass on the left, but if the left lane is crowded or moving too fast for me, and a right lane is clear, I’ll use that one.
Left lane “speed limit enforcers” are a hazard. I know you don’t like speeders, but those people are going to speed regardless of what you think or do. All you do is cause traffic to bunch up behind you and next to you. Then drivers get impatient, pass on the right, and endanger the people in the right lane who are trying to be safe and within the speed limit. Cut it out. If you aren’t passing or turning left, find a lane that matches your speed and be a good citizen. Similarly, if you are passing on the left but finding cars bunching up behind you, pull over when you find an opening and let a few of them pass.
And for those who consider the left lane their unlimited speedway, it is not. If you come across a slower vehicle that is nevertheless making a pass, leave him some space. Then, if he doesn’t pull over after he’s finished, let him know you’re there, in a safe manner.
Ace says,
So, are they encouraging speeding? What if the speed limit is 65mph and someone is driving 65mph in the left lane? Are they breaking the law if some guy in the next lane is driving 80mph? Isn’t the guy driving 80mph supposed to get a speeding ticket?
beetle says,
If they don’t mind risking a ticket, why do you care? Move over and let them go. It is safer.
Edith Roberts says,
My experience with driving on Interstate 5 in Oregon is that although I only drive in the left lane to pass, this can involve a significant amount of time because of all the trucks one needs to pass if one wants to get somewhere on time and ducking back into the right lane between each one would require a lot of lane changing. Therefore, I am one who may stay in the left lane longer than absolutely necessary sometimes unless there is someone driving too close behind me, in which case I will move over to let him pass (and it almost always is a “him”), then move back into the left lane to pass the next truck. If there are no vehicles to pass in the right lane, I always choose to drive in it. I do not drive in the left lane to prevent other people from driving too fast.
Ronald Morell says,
Left lanes controversy is caused typically by those not obeying the law. in most states, 29 by the article, it is illegal to stay in the left lane when not passing. Note that it is also illegal to hang in the middle lanes unless passing.
Other safer uses of the left lanes are in big city areas. Those cities that have wised up and restricted semis to the left lane only if not exiting are seeing a vast decrease in accidents in those areas. Your safety over your imagined superiority in action.
Keep it simple, if you’re being passed on the right you need to move right. If you are holding up traffic you need to move right. A simple flash of the lights, common all over Europe, means please move over and let me pass, and should not be considered aggressive driving. Staying in the left lane purposefully to slow others should be considered aggressive driving.
Ferdinand says,
I agree 100 % . Love the Autobahns of Germany, illegal to pass a vehicle on the right side and you must leave the left lane clear for faster vehicles where you can drive 155 miles per hour legally. No speed limit on left lane. watch your mirror before trying to pass a car or truck on the left lane. In Germany in 2012, there were 44 traffic related deaths per one million inhabitants and in the USA we had 104 deaths per million. So clearly they are doing something right. They claims that this is due to more rigorous driver training (18 years old to obtain licence), scheduled vehicle checks ever two years, and the autobahn, where you can drive as fast as you want, but will be punished for not giving other vehicles space. He claims that the space and the fact that nobody is ballsy enough to try to text and eat a hamburger at 120 mph.
Andy says,
Wish the hole world could get this email nice
Andy says,
It is infuriating enough to get behind a slow poke in the left lane. But what really causes my blood pressure to rise is when that same driver speeds up 20 mph when you attempt to pass them on the right, in order to prevent you from doing so. Then you fall back behind them and they slow up again. Like what right does someone have to deliberately play games with otherdrivers?
I believe that we should have more realistic speed limits, enforce those limits but also ticket anyone in the left lane who is going below the speed limit.
James R McGhee says,
Yes if it’s a two lane highway