Move over! / LJWorld.com

Archive for Sunday, July 5, 2009

A new law restricting traffic in the left lane of multilane highways is a welcome change for Kansas drivers.

J-W Editorials

July 5, 2009

Chalk one up for the battle against road rage. Is there anything more annoying for a driver than to be trapped behind a vehicle that refuses to get out of the left lane of a multilane highway? You’re not supposed to pass them on the right, but what choice do you have?

You try flashing your lights at the driver. You might even beep your horn to get his or her attention. Yet the driver, who may be talking on the phone, listening to loud music or just being clueless is, literally, unmoved.

You can follow the slower-moving vehicle and create a traffic backup or fudge the law and scoot around to the right, keeping your thumb on the horn just in case the other driver suddenly wakes up and decides to move over.

Using the left lane of a multilane highway only to pass another vehicle is a standard rule of the road, but now it’s an enforceable part of the Kansas traffic laws. A new law that went into effect this week requires drivers on multi-lane highways to stay out of the far-left lane unless they are passing another vehicle, preparing to make a left turn or moving away from an emergency or maintenance vehicle beside the road. The law applies only to highways not within any city’s limits.

For the first year, offenders will be given a warning but not a ticket. After that, the offense will be punishable with a $60 fine with court costs of $86.

Many Kansas drivers will be grateful to have this law on the books, but it will only have an impact if it is adequately enforced, which would seem to be a challenge. Additional signs to alert out-of-state drivers to the law may be needed. (Dare we note the frequency with which such cars seem to have Missouri tags?) It’s only fair to inform drivers who might be unfamiliar with the law, although, keeping the left lane free should be standard practice on any U.S. highway.

In the big scheme of things, the new left-lane law is a relatively minor matter, but it nonetheless will draw applause from many Kansas drivers. Anytime the state can help eliminate a nagging driving annoyance, it’s a step in the right direction.

Discussion

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5 July 2009
at 6:53 a.m.

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LogicMan (Anonymous) says…

This law codifies one of the old rules of the road.

But one problem with it is in some places (like many miles of MO's highways), is that the right lane is so badly worn, wavy, and potholed that it is safer, more fuel efficient, and less-damaging to cruise in the left when traffic is light (and to move over when being overtaken). Fix those roads!
5 July 2009
at 7:11 a.m.

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xbusguy (Anonymous) says…

You might even beep your horn to get his or her attention
____________________________
Darn, need to get that horn fixed.
5 July 2009
at 8:55 a.m.

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jaywalker (Anonymous) says…

Yeah, c'mon! Love it love it love it!
Left lane is the fast lane.
5 July 2009
at 9:24 a.m.

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SouthWestKs (Anonymous) says…

Love it when a plan comes together!! This will make it easier for the Troopers to catch the speeders hogging the left lane!!
5 July 2009
at 12:17 p.m.

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camper (Anonymous) says…

They left out one important part…..You are supposed to move over into the left lane when traffic is merging onto the highway (ie from an entrance ramp). Doing so is safe and courteous for traffic entering onto the highway. These points of entry can be very dangerous and many accidents occur there.

Good luck enforcing the law though. Tailgaters and speeders rule the roads now any-ways. And they will never get ticketed during rush hour because pulling people over during these times is hazardous. You might see a couple of em getting ticketed on a Saturday or Sunday.

Also, I wonder about folks who allow themselves to be annoyed by such trivial inconveniences as a slow driver. Oh well. I guess we all sometimes “sweat the small stuff”. So maybe this law is good and might improve the overall health (and blood pressure) of impatient drivers.
5 July 2009
at 4:37 p.m.

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Confrontation (Anonymous) says…

Camper is obviously one of the slow drivers hanging out in the left lane because he is too scared to change lanes. Maybe you need to take driver's ed?
5 July 2009
at 8:28 p.m.

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shepdog (Anonymous) says…

its okay to eat, drink, smoke, shave, put on make-up, and of course talk on the phone but if i'm driving 75-80 in the left lane
(which by the way is breaking the law) and a cop sees me and i don't pull in the right lane, he's going to give me a ticket????

5 July 2009
at 8:38 p.m.

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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…

“(which by the way is breaking the law) and a cop sees me and i don't pull in the right lane, he's going to give me a ticket????”

Nah, not unless you are drunk. I'm a big fan of this law, but I have no doubt that it is in place to pull over folks that are suspected of being drunk. Nobody will be pulled over during daytime hours.
7 July 2009
at 6:51 p.m.

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SouthWestKs (Anonymous) says…

Camper,

You are not supposed to move over when traffic is merging unless there is no other traffic, they are on the yield sign!! Why should you inconvience two other drivers just so a car can inter the highway?? Maybe the mergers should have to go to drivers school again..
7 July 2009
at 9:06 p.m.

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hear_me (Anonymous) says…

Right on, SouthWestKs. The editor thinks he has the left lane to himself, now. News flash. Normal driving is supposed to be in the right lane, and even folks who drive the speed limit have the right to pass using the left lane.