I support this officer's behavior and encourage it

[Decibel JJ]

I HATE slow drivers in the left lane and agree with your story totally. I've driven in other states and countries including high speed on the Autobahn. And it "might be" possible that I've gotten a few speeding tickets.

But...

In that video, the officer was abusing his authority. He lit up the car just to move him out of his way. LEGALLY, the other driver was doing nothing wrong. The officer is there to enforce the law, not his personal opinion on driving etiquette.

Of course the car was going to go slow, if YOU see a cop tailgating you, do YOU go faster??

No you don't.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by Decibel JJ

I HATE slow drivers in the left lane and agree with your story totally. I've driven in other states and countries including high speed on the Autobahn. And it "might be" possible that I've gotten a few speeding tickets.

But...

In that video, the officer was abusing his authority. He lit up the car just to move him out of his way. LEGALLY, the other driver was doing nothing wrong. The officer is there to enforce the law, not his personal opinion on driving etiquette.

Of course the car was going to go slow, if YOU see a cop tailgating you, do YOU go faster??

No you don't.

I know plenty of states where YES it was illegal of that car to be traveling in that lane under the speed limit.

And if I'm doing under the speed limit (rare) YES I would speed up.

The driver of that car might be lucky they didn't get a ticket.

There are traveling lanes and a passing lane. It's universal. If you are not passing someone or will be almost immediately, you should be in the traveling lane.

And yes it's illegal in plenty of states.

[Rangore]

That is just awesome!!! It should be done more often!!!

[mlee]

Originally Posted by PQ

Hurrah for that officer. Bonnie doesn't even like driving with me because of that right there. I HATE that. And you know what,,,,, ?....... The fact that they know they are doing it is actually easier for me to handle than the ones who DON'T know it. It pisses me off that there are poeple out there who are so FU**ing clueless and not paying attention that they DON't know.

My son knew all of this before he got his license and I can honestly say he 'gets' it.

Another one is people who slow down to get off the interstate. When the exit ramp is HALF A FU**ING MILE LONG why are you slowing down. I caught my son doing that when I was teaching him to drive. Switching lanes does NOT mean slow down.

I TOTALLY agree with your 1st paragraph... the ones that don't know are the worst and need to be banned from driving.

Also, we have 8 lane highways around here and some think they always need to be in the right lane BLOCKING everyone who is trying to get ON OR OFF the interstate. They just cruise along creating havoc at every on/off ramp them come to. Then when it finally becomes an exit only lane..LOOKOUT.

[mikel441]

So, you read LZ Granderson's opinion piece on left lane campers too. I agree 100% I can't stand slow drivers and left lane campers.

[VenomInside]

[Decibel JJ]

Originally Posted by PQ

I know plenty of states where YES it was illegal of that car to be traveling in that lane under the speed limit.

And if I'm doing under the speed limit (rare) YES I would speed up.

The driver of that car might be lucky they didn't get a ticket.

There are traveling lanes and a passing lane. It's universal. If you are not passing someone or will be almost immediately, you should be in the traveling lane.

And yes it's illegal in plenty of states.

No, it's a speed MINIMUM that they must be above. The speed LIMIT is the supposed maximum speed.

Anyway, I agree that slow drivers should stay to the right and that driver should have moved over. My problem is the abuse of authority in the video.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by Decibel JJ

No, it's a speed MINIMUM that they must be above. The speed LIMIT is the supposed maximum speed.

Anyway, I agree that slow drivers should stay to the right. My problem is the abuse of authority in the video.

Actually no. Look up the Arkansas law. And other states too. Speed limit or not, you are to flow with the traffic at the speed limit or be passing or be in the right lane. Speed limit, might be fine, but under the speed limit, wether you're over the minimum or not, you are supposed get in the traveling lane. If people are passing you on hte right, and they are not speeding, you can get a ticket.

[Mr. Wyndham]

No abuse. He's "keeping the peace", as per his obligation to other citizens on the road.

As has been mentioned, there are plenty of states where it's indicated to be illegal to travel in the passing lane on a multi-lane highway and not be PASSING. If this video was shot in a state with such a law, little civic just got a lucky break.

Let's just enjoy the hilarity of a clueless driver getting his/her just deserts and save the abuse of authority conversation for later.

[PQ]

Here is just the first one I came to. Colorado also has laws against traveling in a passing (right) lane.

Colorado Statutes 42-4-1013. Passing lane - definitions - penalty

(1) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle in the passing lane of a highway if the speed limit is sixty-five miles per hour or more unless such person is passing other motor vehicles that are in a nonpassing lane or turning left, or unless the volume of traffic does not permit the motor vehicle to safely merge into a nonpassing lane.

What that guy was doing is illegal. The officer could have given a ticket. He was cool in my opinoin.

[PQ]

Oklahoma is pretty clear.

§47-11-309.

Whenever any roadway has been divided into two or more clearlymarked lanes for traffic, the following rules in addition to allothers consistent herewith shall apply.

2. Upon a roadway which is divided into three lanes, a vehicleshall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking andpassing another vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and suchcenter lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or inpreparation for a left turn or where such center lane is at the timeallocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction the vehicleis proceeding and is signposted to give notice of such allocation.

3. Upon a roadway which is divided into four or more lanes, avehicle proceeding at less than the maximum posted speed, except whenreduced speed is necessary for safe operation, shall not impede thenormal flow of traffic by driving in the left lane. Such vehicleshall be driven in the right-hand lane except when overtaking andpassing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or whenpreparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private roador driveway.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Here PQ...(always taking the long route...)

I normally dislike Jalopnik....but this turned out to be handy!

It would seem that 29 of the 50 states have very clear 'must be passing' laws...and other others adhere to a "normal speed of traffic" law forcing slower-than-everyone-else cars to the right lane.

http://jalopnik.com/5501615/left+lan...e+by+state-map

[PQ]

Ya......... that there.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by PQ

Ya......... that there.

I do enjoy how they listed DC as a state...but dropped New York completely off their lists....go figure...