fargingbastige's blog

There are no answers for the questions you ask! cause I have been asking the same one's for years.If you do happen to get an answer holler at me!!!!!!!

And if you're not aware-Alabama has a right lane law-it states to use the left lane for passing and move back into the right lane for travel-but like most laws, it's not enforced- same with trucks in all 3 lanes-some areas are posted for the trucks to use the right or right 2 lanes only, but they use all 3-and I especially like the law enforcement vehicle cruising 60 0r 65 in a 70 zone and he's in the left lane.

I AGREE man nothing makes me more angry than someone slamming on the brakes going 70 to 60 when I'm trying to merge onto an on ramp!!! and I drive about 75 and I have to pass more and more cars riding the left lane 55 65 mphs every day. Cops will pull me over for going 73 to 75 before they would pull someone over in the left lane blocking traffic by going 60mph

To AzJim:

I frequently travel up and down I-65 north of town, and I've never seen a sign that says "Keep right except to pass." I have, on the other hand, seen signs saying "Slower traffic keep right."

If I may, what do you guys consider slower traffic? 60? 70? 80?

The speed limit is the same in ALL lanes. Being in the left lane doesn't give you permission to drive 80, 90 mph. People talk about laws to keep slower (but definately not slow) drivers out of the left lane. There already is a law, and it's called a speed limit. IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO DRIVE FASTER THAN THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT! What about that law?

Now I will agree, unless your driving at least the speed limit, you don't belong in the left lane. Nothing tees me off more than grandma out on her Sunday drive, driving 50, 60 mph in a 70 mph zone. That's outright dangerous!

But, if you're driving the speed limit, or a little above (70 to 75 in a 70 zone), you have as much right to drive in the left lane as anyone. Again, it's not a FAST LANE, IT'S NOT A PASSING LANE, IT'S A "DO AT LEAST THE SPEED LIMIT" LANE.

In a 70 zone, I drive 75, 76 mph. And yep, you guessed it, I choose to use the left lane. Two reasons:

1. It's a known fact that, because of heavy trucks mostly using the right (and center) lanes, that area of pavement has more potholes and bumps than the left lane. I don't feel like getting my front-end realigned every week, so I choose the left lane.

2. The right (and center) lane is often more congested, with slower (below the speed limit) traffic and driver's exiting

I consider 70 mph an adequate speed in the left-hand lane if one is passing a slower moving vehicle, but when you've passed, please move to the right-hand lane so as to not impede those who may be driving 72-73 mph.

Another HUGE gripe of mine is trucks (the large 18-wheeler type) that insist on trying to pass each other going up a hill - I-65 northbound near Exit 254 is a prime example. I routinely see them three abreast doing every bit of 35 mph while traffic backs up.

I consider slower traffic that which is not maintaining the posted speed limit.

My mom is bad about that,she will drive slow in the left lane and get's pissed if you say anything to her.I myself having a CDL license hold myself to a higher standard,I do the posted speed limit on any road,HWY or Interstate and try my best to be courteous and safe.And you will usually see me tootling along in the right hand lane.But FB is right ya'll if your doing the speed limit or under stay in the right 2 lanes of the freeway,If an idiot wants to pass you doing 95 or even 105 he'll be the one that gets the ticket,not us that are obeying the law.

TO:MountainMan08
All the laws are not posted on signs along the roadway-if you look in the Codes of Alabama under "Rules of the Road" you will find several hundred that aren't posted on signs, but still are laws.One I like states that when you turn a corner at an intersection you will finish the turn in the same lane you started, not move over to cut off someone turning from across the intersection.That's not posted either, but it's still the law.Here's the official wording for the right lane law-
"(b) Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, 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." Source- Code of Alabama