"Usual Suspect" > wrote in message
...
> There seems to be a lot of talk in this newsgroup about how it's immoral
to
> stay in the left lane. Well, guess what, I do just that. I'll explain my
> reasons for doing it in what follows.
>
> If I don't have to exit for another 5-10 miles and the freeway is divided,
I
> tend to get into the left lane and stay there, driving at 75-80 mph, which
> usually puts me in the 70-90th percentile, or so, in terms of speed. If I
> see a cop I would usually slow down to about 70 and I might change lanes
to
> let them go and chase the real speeders. (There is a 65 mph speed limit in
> San Diego). If someone else is blocking me I follow them at a safe
distance
> and don't pass them on the right unless they are really slow, like 60 mph,
> which is rare.
>
Personally, I'd choose a center lane--either lane 2 or lane 3--depending on
whether there are slow big rigs in the number 3 lane. If there are, stick
with lane 2. Either way, unless I am exiting the freeway soon, I get out of
lane 4 as soon as possible after merging onto the freeway.

But with the number of bunched up tailgaters in the leftmost lane--due to a
single supposed LLB and the other drivers' inability to follow at a safe
following distance--it makes that leftmost lane the worst choice of lanes to
travel in, since a multi-car pileup is inevitable. At best, the number 1
lane is useful for passing signficantly slower traffic in the number 2 lane,
but I wouldn't recommend remaining in the number 1 lane unless it's a long
drive where all the upcoming freeway junctions are in the left
lanes--someone is bound to want to go faster than you, with all the
unskilled/leadfooted street racer types out there.

> Now, every once in a while someone would come up from behind and follow me
> very closely, trying to "make me go faster", which, needless to say, never
> works. They would typically keep at it for a while and then, realizing
they
> are being preposterous go lane-swirving (good luck).
>
Lane swervers are funny--especially if I'm doing 75mph in the number 2 lane,
the number 1 lane is completely empty, and they pass on the right using the
number 3 lane just to make their statement. I just laugh and keep my speed.

> MY RATIONALE:
>
> 1. I like the left lane. Whereas in other lanes you have to worry about
> traffic on your left and right, the left lane feels more tranquil.
>
The number 2 lane is probably an even better choice.

> 2. There is often a shoulder on the left, which I can use if required.

True, but most cars give some sort of symptom before breaking down, they
just don't spontanously stall. Get the vehicle serviced at the first sign or
mechanical or engine trouble.
>
> 3. The left lane is typically faster than other lanes
>
And it also has the most frequent tailgaters.

> 4. I don't especially like changing lanes (to pass or whatever)
>
Pick a middle lane and stay in it unless an exit is near or a freeway
junction forces a lane change. I don't find that a significant number of
drivers are making frequent merges into the number 2 lane, they either merge
there and stay there, or move one more lane left into the number 1 lane.

> 5. I'm already going at 10 mph over the limit. You want to go faster?
Well,
> that's your problem. I could imagine feeling a bit guilty if I was doing
10
> mph below.
>
> 6. By staying away from the on-ramps I reduce the related risks for
merging
> traffic and myself.
>
Which is just as valid in the middle lanes.

> 7. I've never heard of anyone being ticketed for blocking the left lane
> while doing the speed limit or more.
>
That's because despite conventional wisdom on this newsgroup, the speed laws
(in the states that do have them) are still the law governing the roads,
even though the majority of drivers speed due to "popular demand". But the
speeding ticket doesn't ask the driver if they agree with the speed limit as
being safe, or whether they think it's underposted! So until such time as
the speed limits are increased by the legislatures, the speed limits are
still signed as the legal limits on the roads. And actually the speed limits
really should be DECREASED so that the perpetual speeders are slowed down
too--bringing the limit back down to 55 should theoretically slow the
speeders down to 80mph instead of 90 to 100 mph as they do now. Fast drives
may be fun and thrilling for many, but slower drivers are more controlled
and there is more time to gradually react to a road hazard without
overcorrecting and rolling/spinning the vehicle.

> Now, I don't claim this to be the best strategy for everyone, or even the
> optimal one for yours truly, but this is the best one I've come up with
> with my own interests in mind.

I won't go any faster than 75mph, since my fuel economy drops above that
speed, and I usually stick to the middle lane(s) on any freeway with three
or more lanes going the same direction.

These are my opinions, of course, but I don't believe there's any benefit to
"owning the road" any more than if someone takes the right of way when they
aren't legally entitled to it.