I just had to share this great story...FINALLY someone is getting it in Law Enforcement! It was in the CNN.com video area so I can't give a link,but the gist of it is;

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is going to start ticketing(with a $206 fine) people driving TOO SLOW in the left lane of limited access, divided highways!

CNN had a short video about it, and the people that were interviewed that were giving warnings(ticketing will start soon) were all clueless buffoons.

Are you listening, Massachusetts State Police?!?

How many of us have been stuck behind a "left lane bandit" chattering away blissfully of their cell?

 

That is fabulous news. However, isn't it already the law that you have to keep right unless you're passing? I think people are just stupid and don't know the rules of the road. They should have been doing this all along. Maybe the cops are finally understanding that these slow pokes cause accidents and road rage because of their stupidity and stubbornness.

 

Just out of curiosity, what is the definition of "too slow in the left lane"? The speed limit? 5 mph over the speed limit? 10 mph over? Or what?!

 

Simple solution. The left hand lane is for PASSING!!! If you're in the left hand lane and someone is behind you, MOVE OVER!

 

I thought the left lane was the 'I don't have to pay attention lane'?

I mean, I clearly remember the rules of the road dictating that you MUST immediately migrate to the left lane when multitasking, chatting on the cell phone, reading maps, putting in contact lenses, baking a a 3 tier cake with marzipan decorations, circumcising baby boys or while getting a kidney transplant AND a colonoscopy. And don't forget to leave your left turn signal on as you drive down the left lane 15mph below the speed limit so other drivers know you are busy and should not disturb your one being world. And if anyone does flash-to-pass, be sure you flip them off so they know what rude, inconsiderate, self absorbed drivers they are.

OK...where are my meds?

 

^^ LOL

So true though. People are freaking oblivious.

 

Yeah, we've had signs for years in Texas saying "Left Lane for Passing Only", but it doesn't make any difference. Supposedly, the cops will ticket you if you're just cruising in that lane, but I think they figure they have better things to do than watch for that.

It's called "selective enforcement", and whether it's smoking bans or jaywalking or going too slow in the left lane, they'll look the other way because there are more serious crimes to worry about.

I still like my friend's (buddy's?) solution: Issue everyone those popguns that shoot arrows with rubber suction cups on them. Then, when someone does something stupid, shoot an arrow on their car. Then, when they get 3 arrows, the cops pull them over and give them a ticket.

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I grew up in Oklahoma and if I remember right, it was 45 in a 65-70 was too slow. Obviously that's in good weather. I think they even had "Min Speed 45mph" signs up along with the speed limit signs.

 

When I took my written driver test many, many years ago in NY, the only question I got wrong was (paraphrasing):

Is it O.K. to pass on the right?

I chose "No, because pass on the left is a strict law"

Correct answer was "Yes, if no signs prohibit it."

Don't know why I remember this, but I do.

Things may have changed in NY, haven't lived there in about 17 years but back then, it was O.K. to drive in and pass from any lane without signs prohibiting it. Granted, most highways had "Drive right, pass left" signs though.

LL

 

Belongs in Car Talk, restart there as we can't move threads there.

I'll remember this the next time I'm visiting the wife's relatives in Oklahoma. Should be common sense.