Poll: Do you support a new Kansas law restricting a motorist's use of the left-hand lane? / LJWorld.com

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Response		Percent	Votes
Yes		72%	919
No		27%	347
Total	1266

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hujiko (anonymous) says…

keep right
July 2, 2009 at 2:09 a.m.
gsxr600 (anonymous) says…

Keep right! If you don't , nothing will happen....
July 2, 2009 at 8:58 a.m.
pmsharp (anonymous) says…

I agree, stay left nothing happens.
July 2, 2009 at 9:46 a.m.
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…

This is bull$H!?. The road should be available to everyone. Drivers need to learn to keep within the speed limit and that goes both way over and under. You have the idiots who fear driving and are too slow and then you have the idiots that think the road is a race track. If a law restricts the left lane then we're going to have nothing but speed jerks constantly passing cars in the right lane. I think its an accident waiting to happen.
What idiot thought of this????
July 2, 2009 at 9:47 a.m.
hipper_than_hip (anonymous) says…

A most excellent law.
July 2, 2009 at 9:58 a.m.
BorderRat (anonymous) says…

You silly American drivers...You would not last a day on the autobahn. Now hang up your phones, put the paper down, do your hair and makeup before you leave the house, and drive.
July 2, 2009 at 9:59 a.m.
logicsound09 (anonymous) says…

I am absolutely in favor of this law.

Anyone who is up in arms over it (ahem...sunshine_noise) is just looking for something to get upset about or don't understand the law.

People already drive too fast or too slow on the highway--this law isn't going to increase the number of people who do so. All this law does is provide some official (since it's already a commonly understood courtesy by people who are intelligent drivers) direction to keep the faster/slower cars separated, reducing traffic congestion.

Also, I can't help but notice, sunshine, that you have completely misunderstood this law. The left lane is restriced *unless passing*. The "speed jerks" will be passing in the left lane, as it will no longer be congested by the slow drivers.
July 2, 2009 at 10 a.m.
BABBOY (anonymous) says…

"If a law restricts the left lane then we're going to have nothing but speed jerks constantly passing cars in the right lane."

Let me guess which lane you are in.

This law is geared for morons that sit in the passing lane and cause 6 cars to end of following them because they cannot pass. I always picture some putz grinning his butt off because he is making people drive the speed limit. I usually want to lite that guy on fire and see him drive his car on fire into the ditch. I cannot express in words how much I hate the slow guy in the fast lane. I mean I really do not like that guy and him staying in the non-passing lane is just better for everyone including him.

For example, there are even morons that sit in the fast lane on the three lanes on turnpike between Topeka and Lawrence. Why would you drive 70 miles an hour in the second passing lane of a three lane highway? I mean do you intentionally walk slow in front of joggers? What is wrong with those people?. Are these people really thinking that is what the lane is for? Those jerk are doing that on purpose. I know it and they know it. Frankly, I want to beat the crap out of them and it is the one percent of reason in my brain that stops me from ramming them, making them stop, and then pulling them from their care to beat the crap out of them. Thank goodness for that one percent of control which I possess in my brain.

Anyway, this may be the greatest law passed since they legalized booze.

I hope the troopers ticket the crap out these guys.
July 2, 2009 at 10:05 a.m.
gl0ck0wn3r (anonymous) says…

One can't legislate against stupid.
July 2, 2009 at 10:11 a.m.
mdfraz (anonymous) says…

sunshine, it is quite obvious you don't understand the concept of lane discipline. This should actually make our highways safer if properly enforced. As BorderRat states, on the autobahn, where speeds are MUCH higher than here in the States, you can get a hefty fine for blocking traffic by slow speed. I believe the autobahn is safer than our interstate system, in part due to the discipline that is exercised/enforced on their roads.

There is actually a law on the books already that makes it illegal to impeded the flow of traffic by slow speed, but it's not usually enforced. This new law makes it crystal clear that if you want to drive the speed limit or slower, fine, but do it in the right lane to stay out of the way of peole that want to go faster. Speed in and of itself (absent alcohol or other distractors, which are way too common) is not that dangerous on the roads. It's often disparities in speed that lead to backups, road rage, and accidents. The free flow of traffic is crucial to make our roads safer and more efficient. And if you want to be someone who tries to enforce speed limits, join the highway patrol. Otherwise, mind your own business. If you want the roads to be free for people who want to drive slow (which they are, as much as it drives me crazy), then they should also be free to people who want to drive faster. If the speeders get a ticket, they took that chance. It shouldn't be up to someone with the head up their a** to decide for them how fast they go. The roads ARE free for anyone to drive as slow or fast as they want, within reason, and this law just makes it more efficient.

It's sad that it takes this legislation to enforce lane discipline and common courtesy on the highways, but I'm all for this law. Now if we could just get people to stop driving 50 mph on the west leg of the SLT.......
July 2, 2009 at 11:08 a.m.
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…

I can't believe there are people who voted no on this poll. Of course, I also can't believe how many people drive slow in the left lane so I guess this should all make sense.
July 2, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.
mdfraz (anonymous) says…

Donald, if someone is doing 90 and driving unsafely, if an officer sees them, they will get a ticket for that. However, you do NOT have a right to block traffic just because you want to. Again, there is already a law for impeding traffic by slow speed, and now this law makes it even clearer that if you are not passing, you do not belong in the left lane. It's your sense of entitlement that you can do whatever you want regardless of how it affects others that causes problems on the roads. Again, take a look at the laws enforced on the autobahn, and look at the safety records on those roads, where the speeds are well over 100 mph on regular basis. Why don't they have as many accidents? Because people are disciplined and responsible and consider how their actions will affect the other cars on the road.

If you want to play traffic cop, join the troopers. Parking in the left lane and trying to stop people from choosing how they want to drive shows an extreme arrogance that you can make better decisions than everyone else on the road. Not your job to do that. You want freedom on the highway to drive however you want, but you want to deny that exact freedom to others. Hypocrisy much?
July 2, 2009 at 11:34 a.m.
1029 (anonymous) says…

The ticket should be at least $500, though--and they could have some sort of payment plan option, or reduce the amount if you enroll in driving lessons.

And I love pilgrim2's comment: "There should have been a third poll option: Hell YES!"

That would have been my vote.
July 2, 2009 at 12:15 p.m.
sarahsmilehawk (anonymous) says…

Why can't I just drive however I want when the left lane's empty? I can see how it would be problematic to have slow people in the left lane, keeping folks from passing. But my exit is on the left and I'm scared I'll miss it. Admittedly, I'm not a great highway driver.
July 2, 2009 at 12:21 p.m.
lawrencelifer (anonymous) says…

I like the INTENT of the law. However, I sometimes use the left lane to give myself some space from a car that is in front of me, but is not going so slow that I need to pass him or her. If everyone is at least going the speed limit, sometimes the left lane is still needed for spacing. If others come along, wanting to go faster, I move to the right as soon as I can and let traffic move on. I hope law enforcement uses some descretion when enforcing this one.
July 2, 2009 at 1:10 p.m.
BrianR (anonymous) says…

Good law.

Just because there are some who are not familiar with the rules of the road doesn't change the fact that keeping right has always been an unwritten rule of the road.

Left lane drivers always make me wish I'd gotten the photon torpedo option on my car.
July 2, 2009 at 1:22 p.m.
mdfraz (anonymous) says…

sarah-If you are passing OR exiting on the left (or moving over for merging traffic or for emergency vehicles on the shoulder), you can be in the left lane. However, if you are three miles from your exit on the left, no, you don't need to be in the left lane. The problem with allowing people to drive in the left lane when it's "empty" is that you allow their judgment as to what is "empty". Additionally, as I state below, a lot of the problems on highways come from people either trying to slow down other traffic or pi*s other people off, or people in the left lane just oblivious to the world around them for whatever reason(s). Those people are the targets of this law.

lifer-The fact that you watch your rear view mirror and move over if/when someone is coming up behind you makes you better than about 80% of the people who sit in the left lane. The purpose of the law is indeed to prevent people from backing up traffic by sitting in the left lane and not passing and moving over.

It's a simple mantra; if you have no specific reason to be in the left lane, don't be in the left lane. The left lane is not off limits to anyone, but it is not to be used simply as a cruising lane. Really not that complicated.
July 2, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.
gogoplata (anonymous) says…

We have enough laws. I don't support new ones.
July 2, 2009 at 2 p.m.
kmat (anonymous) says…

lawrencelifer (Anonymous) says…

I like the INTENT of the law. However, I sometimes use the left lane to give myself some space from a car that is in front of me, but is not going so slow that I need to pass him or her. If everyone is at least going the speed limit, sometimes the left lane is still needed for spacing. If others come along, wanting to go faster, I move to the right as soon as I can and let traffic move on. I hope law enforcement uses some descretion when enforcing this one.
__________________________________________

But you have no need to get into the passing lane for spacing. If you don't feel there's enough room between you and the car in front of you and you don't want to speed up and pass them, then slow down a tiny bit so you have enough space. Pretty simple.
July 2, 2009 at 2:06 p.m.
ralphralph (anonymous) says…

The rise in left-lane drivers coincided with the disappearance of Yield signs from the on-ramps. When you are in the city, or an area with exits and on-ramps, you nearly have to stay to the left to keep from being hit by cars flying on from the ramp. BUT, once you get out of town, move back over to the right lane. That's always been the rule, and now it's the law.
July 2, 2009 at 2:09 p.m.
gogoplata (anonymous) says…

I like rules better than laws. We just gave more power to the barneys who already have too much authoritah.
July 2, 2009 at 2:15 p.m.
lawrencelifer (anonymous) says…

Oh ok, kmat. That is pretty simple. But so is the idea that two cars may be going the speed limit, but may be too close to one another. I don't want to slow down. And I don't want to be forced to speed. Pretty simple, I move over to create space. Again, I KNOW the intent of this law is to stop the person who is going slower than the speed limit from poking along in the fast lane. However, I don't think the INTENT of the law is to ticket people going the speed limit because they are impeding those that want to break the law by speeding. Simple, yes.
July 2, 2009 at 2:23 p.m.
GardenMomma (anonymous) says…

I thought there already was something on the books about driving in the left-hand lane.

Isn't in the driver's ed manual (and part of the written exam) that it is illegal to pass on the right? That the left-hand lane is for passing only?

Maybe a course in remedial driver's ed instead of a $60 ticket would be a better deterrent?
July 2, 2009 at 2:38 p.m.
mdfraz (anonymous) says…

gogo, I like less laws as well, and most that are passed are not necessary, but can you REALLY argue that the "rules of the road" were effective at keeping people from blocking the left lane with their slow speed? They were not. Not even close.

Driving, in town or on the highway, is a privilege not a RIGHT, and if people aren't aware of or choose not to follow the rules of the road, they don't deserve to be on the road.
July 2, 2009 at 2:38 p.m.
RonBurgandy (anonymous) says…

Of course, it should have already been a law. It would be fine as an unspoken rule if people followed it. But when people just sit in the left lane, it causes a backup, and just adds to the unsafetiness of frustrated drivers.
July 2, 2009 at 2:44 p.m.
Lynn731 (anonymous) says…

They need to change the law that says you cannot exceed the speed limit to pass someone. Thank you, Lynn
July 2, 2009 at 3:13 p.m.
BrianR (anonymous) says…

There are few things more annoying than a driver with their cruise control on 70 mph, passing a car that is doing 69 mph. The pass takes forever and creates mass blockage so, no, there shouldn't be a law that says you cannot exceed the speed limit to pass someone. Even though I don't go flying down the highway, and it doesn't affect me to a great extent, it is still annoying to run into these drivers. Do what you're going to do in the left lane and gtf out of the way.
July 2, 2009 at 3:50 p.m.
gogoplata (anonymous) says…

Can you really argue that this law is going to stop people from driving slow in the passing lane?

Speed limits? Drug laws? Come on.

I think I may just start driving slow in the left lane when there are no cops around just to protest this stupid law.
July 2, 2009 at 4:20 p.m.
soldier1 (anonymous) says…

BorderRat (Anonymous) says…

You silly American drivers…You would not last a day on the autobahn. Now hang up your phones, put the paper down, do your hair and makeup before you leave the house, and drive.

-----
The autoban is not as bad as you make it out to be, Rat. And by the way, heck yeah I would support it.
July 2, 2009 at 4:28 p.m.
jumpin_catfish (anonymous) says…

I see wore out right lanes and no money to fix them so there you are.
July 2, 2009 at 5:06 p.m.
notajayhawk (anonymous) says…

ralphralph (Anonymous) says…

"The rise in left-lane drivers coincided with the disappearance of Yield signs from the on-ramps. When you are in the city, or an area with exits and on-ramps, you nearly have to stay to the left to keep from being hit by cars flying on from the ramp. BUT, once you get out of town, move back over to the right lane. That's always been the rule, and now it's the law."

First off, as they pull into the lane from the entrance ramp, you would be passing them and therefore entitled to the left lane. Second, if I'm not mistaken, the other story on this said the law does not apply within a city's limits?

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/jul...
July 2, 2009 at 5:21 p.m.
BMI (anonymous) says…

jumpin_catfish (Anonymous) says…

I see wore out right lanes and no money to fix them so there you are.
--
Already more wear on right lanes. Most people already drive there, more deer kill stains there too. Look at the color difference from wear, and notice when they resurface only the right side of some sections. That's been going on since I took Dr. Ed.
July 2, 2009 at 9:53 p.m.
jackbinkelman (anonymous) says…

Left lane loafers, they are the same type that stand, with the car idling, in fire zones in front of grocery stores. For some reason they feel a sense of entitlement.. Basically they are just jerks.
July 4, 2009 at 12:37 a.m.
gogoplata (anonymous) says…

Then get ready for some uninvited company in your trunk. Possibly in protest of your protest.

I'll be sure and get your insurance policy number and company name.
July 6, 2009 at 12:26 a.m.
kansasmutt (anonymous) says…

The law allows you to drive in the left hand lane whithin a city or incorperated area.It,s just out on the open road like K-10 to lenexa and I-70 those areas, you need to stay to the right lane, unless passing. Great law and i hope the morons who break it get nailed over and over and over.
July 9, 2009 at 3:51 a.m.
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…

Not I didn't Logic I for one prefer to drive in the left lane and I don't drive slow (don't over speed either). I dont' like the right lane because it restricts my view of cars behind me on my left and if there are so many cars in the right lane that would mean constantly passing them by to get an open road clear of trucks, vans, and SUVs which are difficult to see around.
July 10, 2009 at 2:21 p.m.
spiff (anonymous) says…

Suggested sub-heading:

Lawrence Journal-World comments section continues in its epic quest to prove that yes, opinions can indeed be wrong.
July 10, 2009 at 2:38 p.m.