New Law Would Make Highway Left-Lane Illegal to Non-Passing Vehicles

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New Law Would Make Highway Left-Lane Illegal to Non-Passing Vehicles

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Started 3 months ago by News
Latest reply from misskitty

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News
Columbus Underground
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Not passing? Get out of left lane, bill says
By Deanna Pan
The Columbus Dispatch
Tuesday January 31, 2012 6:57 AM

Look out, left-lane lollygaggers: Life in the fast lane might get a little less comfortable. A new bill in the Ohio House proposing to increase the speed limit on interstate highways to 70 also would make staying in the left lane generally illegal unless drivers are exiting or passing slower vehicles.

READ MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/01/30/not-passing-get-out-of-left-lane-bill-says.html

Posted 3 months ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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So yeah. I *hate* slow people in the left lane, and feel that they actually take away some of the safety of the roads, as people either tailgate them, or try to race around them to get in front of them.... but is this really a *thing*? Are cops really going to pull people over for this?

Sometimes when I'm travelling, I hang out in the left lane because A) I'm generally going faster than the other traffic, and B) it's usually the smoothest lane. So if I'm in the left lane, and there are no cars to my right, am I breaking that law?

Also - aren't there more important things to focus on? Somewhere?

Posted 3 months ago #
James
Upper Arlington
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Twixlen said:

Also - aren't there more important things to focus on? Somewhere?

Better this than a heartbeat bill.

Posted 3 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Twixlen said:
Also - aren't there more important things to focus on? Somewhere?

That statement can be made about everything. ;)

Anyway, I doubt that the passing of this law means that it will automatically become a high priority for law enforcement. But it does sound like a small change that is easy and practical to put on the books.

Posted 3 months ago #
GCrites80s
5xNW
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Many other states think we are silly for not having a law regarding this already.

Posted 3 months ago #
Porky
C-Bus' East Side
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Twixlen said:
Sometimes when I'm travelling, I hang out in the left lane because A) I'm generally going faster than the other traffic, and B) it's usually the smoothest lane. So if I'm in the left lane, and there are no cars to my right, am I breaking that law?

Yes,under the new law, I think so. If there are no cars to your right you s/b in the right lane.

Posted 3 months ago #
columbusmike

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So, that means everyone on 270 will be hugging the right lanes while people are attempting to merge onto the highway? Why are we concerned with insignificant traffic laws when the state unemployment rate is around 8-10%, budgets are in the tank, our population is stagnant, our environment is bleak, etc? This just sounds like politicians trying to please their voters to win a few brownie points.

Posted 3 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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columbusmike said:
Why are we concerned with insignificant traffic laws when the state unemployment rate is around 8-10%, budgets are in the tank, our population is stagnant, our environment is bleak, etc?

Multitasking.

Posted 3 months ago #
tourist19
Merion Village
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Twixlen said:
Are cops really going to pull people over for this?

Based on how few people I see pulled over for not having their lights on in the rain I'm going to say doubtful.

Posted 3 months ago #
gramarye
In Exile
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Does Ohio still have the law on the books that says that you're supposed to give an audible signal (i.e., honk your horn) before passing anyone? That one wasn't often enforced, IIRC ...

Posted 3 months ago #
cheap
Westgate
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this will help suburban cops in their never ending search for Hannibal Lecter

Posted 3 months ago #
JeepGirl

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columbusmike said:
So, that means everyone on 270 will be hugging the right lanes while people are attempting to merge onto the highway? Why are we concerned with insignificant traffic laws when the state unemployment rate is around 8-10%, budgets are in the tank, our population is stagnant, our environment is bleak, etc? This just sounds like politicians trying to please their voters to win a few brownie points.

It seems that your answer is in the article:

"Accordingly, motorists would not be permitted to travel in the left-hand lane except when exiting, passing or allowing other vehicles to enter the right lane, or when existing road conditions would make driving a vehicle in the right lane unsafe."

IMO this is a pretty reasonable law that would most likely only be enforced in the most extreme circumstances.

Posted 3 months ago #
JeepGirl

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gramarye said:
Does Ohio still have the law on the books that says that you're supposed to give an audible signal (i.e., honk your horn) before passing anyone? That one wasn't often enforced, IIRC ...

Isn't that law specific only on a two-lane road where the passing driver is traveling in the opposing traffic lane?

Posted 3 months ago #
HogRoaster
Grandview
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Given that I was recently pulled over and ticketed because a cop "thought" he saw me texting, I wouldn't put it past an angry pig to pull somebody over without unshakable evidence. I even showed the cop my phone to prove my innocence, but his response was basically "tell it to the judge." Problem is, this was in Buffalo, NY and it doesn't make sense for me to "tell it to the judge." I hear cops in West Virginia pull over Ohio drivers for this very reason -- because they won't fight the ticket. The law makes sense, but I have a problem with how the law could be enforced. As honerable as most of our police force is, it's the small percentage of them that has earned them the nickname "State D!cks"

I like the I-270 reference above, but since it is mostly a 3-lane highway, I think the law would only apply to the far left lane. Also, if the far right lane is congested and your lane is not, or if you are "passing" approaching traffic that is on the entrance ramp, then you are passing and not breaking the law.

Posted 3 months ago #
M.O.
Columbus
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Posted 3 months ago #
mrpoppinzs
Arena District
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HogRoaster said:
Given that I was recently pulled over and ticketed because a cop "thought" he saw me texting, I wouldn't put it past an angry pig to pull somebody over without unshakable evidence.

A grandview cop busted me for having a burned out rear brake light. I told him I didn't know about it. He said he only gives tickets, not warnings.

I think this new legislation is a just a ticket to ride for the fuzz.

Posted 3 months ago #
rus

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cheap said:
this will help suburban cops in their never ending search for Hannibal Lecter

I'm sure the good doctor wouldn't hog the left lane. That would be rude.

Posted 3 months ago #
gramarye
In Exile
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JeepGirl said:
Isn't that law specific only on a two-lane road where the passing driver is traveling in the opposing traffic lane?

That was sticking somewhere in the back of my mind, too--I almost put it in that post. Meh. Either way. I don't think it's enforced particularly often. But if a cop were having a really bad day ...

Posted 3 months ago #
alexs
Limestone bluffs of the Scioto
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Look on the bright side, with an open left lane there will be undisturbed speeders who will draw LEO attention away from you.

Posted 3 months ago #
groundrules

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this is going to really disappoint a lot of old people.

Posted 3 months ago #