So is the passing lane not applicable to surface streets?
Posted by Diligent-Version8283@reddit | driving | View on Reddit | 44 comments
My whole life I've heard to always stay right unless passing, but now I'm being told that it only applies when you're not on a surface street.
stve688@reddit
I typically do not follow the pass on the left on city roads. I am really worried about how to efficiently get through the roads. Four lane roads are typically more likely to have a left dedicated turn lane, and then use right for right hand turns. So have to slow down and/or stop frequently in the right lane, knowing that I need to travel For distance to me doesn't make sense. Is this sitting yourself over? Even just one blaine makes it so I can see at the intersection farther back, and they can see me my father back. Depending on the volume of traffic, if there's nobody in the right lane, it also opens up the opportunity for people to turn out into that lane.
Moist_Rule9623@reddit
Just imagine if we could all drive 35 in a 35mph zone, and 55 in a 55 mph zone, and we didn’t have to FUCKING TORTURE OURSELVES with this level of analysis 🙄🙄🙄
TT-w-TT@reddit
That's what I'm thinking as I read the comments. I have a lot of 4 lane roads with lights frequently close together in my city. I'm gonna sit in the left lane for miles because of how bad traffic is on these main roads because eventually I'm going to need to turn left. Unfortunately, I'm stuck behind someone who wants to go 25 in a 35, and that's what causes the traffic.
Moist_Rule9623@reddit
The problem as I see it is that we don’t all realize that the speed limit is like the target. So we have some people driving on, idk a 45mph road like I expect is what you’re describing, at 30mph; and some people trying to drive at 55-60mph; and then a few sane people who JUST WANNA DRIVE THE NUMBER IT SAYS ON THE FREAKING SIGN.
Oh and then of course the ones who are live-tweeting their life behind the wheel; who have no idea where they are, how fast they’re going, what the speed limit is, what color the traffic light in front of them is, or quite possibly where they’re even going 😂😂😂
TT-w-TT@reddit
It makes me so happy on the rare occurrence I get to go the speed limit 🥹
JonJackjon@reddit
It applies but has a lot more going on . For instance left hand turns required you to be the left lane.
badger_on_fire@reddit
Like everything else with driving, it depends.
The way I think about it, it has less to do with the type of road you're on, and more to do with traffic conditions. If you're in a traffic jam, be it on the highway or in a downtown rush hour, there isn't such a thing as a passing lane anymore. We're all going the same speed.
But if there's reasonable room to maneuver safely and there are cars that clearly wish to move slower than traffic, then you should do your best to pass them on the left, and then get back to the right as soon as it's safe. But again, it only applies to no/low/moderate traffic situations. With heavy traffic, you just kinda have to go with the flow.
Equivalent_Dig_5059@reddit
This is the correct answer
I mean some "surface streets" can basically be highways in their own right. If the road seems appropriate to keep right unless you are passing, and someone behind you clearly wants to pass, sure go ahead and let them over.
But you know if it's like 100 yards between stop lights probably not because it would be difficult to access left turning lanes (unless in new jersey where turning lanes don't exist)
moistdragons@reddit
Yeah I just hate when I’m keeping right and there’s moderate traffic so I don’t get in the left lane super early for my turn and then suddenly I look over and traffic is bumper to bumper in the left lane and now it’s super hard and annoying to get over. It’s happened too many times that sometimes I’ll get over really early no matter what. I know it’s bad but no one ever lets me in when I need to make a left turn.
MrPogoUK@reddit
Yep. My city has plenty of places where you need to be in the correct lane for turning waaaay in advance because at some highly variable point as much as 1.5 miles away there’ll suddenly be a bumper to bumper queue and anyone not already in the lane is considered and asshole trying to skip the line by the people already on it.
Icy_Huckleberry_8049@reddit
that's really more for the highway than city streets but if you're going slower than the rest of the traffic, then you should be in the right-hand lane wherever you are.
pm-me-racecars@reddit
In my area: if the speed limit is 80km/h or higher and traffic is moving 50km/h or faster, then you need to move out of the left lane if someone is behind you, unless you are passing someone, about to turn, letting people merge, or passing a vehicle on the side of the road with emergency lights.
beardedbast3rd@reddit
Sounds like BC,
And is generally how it should be that satisfies the rule, while also satisfying the whole point of roads. To move traffic. Left lane laws are antithetical to the whole point of a road, but at least on rural roads traffic is limited enough that it doesn’t usually matter if everyone is in the right lane because those roads are more about safety than total volume being able to travel.
In my area, left lane rule is practically nonexistent, and even where road signage directs slower traffic to the right, it doesn’t explicitly prohibit anything, because there’s no legal basis for speeding. But none of this stops people from making up “the law” when discussing these things. Especially since they don’t apply on any highway not indicated by the signs, which includes any municipality, as it’s exclusively a provincial law. Municipalities don’t utilize these, as once you’re in the city, it’s about moving traffic. Which infuriates all the people who are definitely more important than you or I.
YouWillHaveThat@reddit
No. The passing lane is not applicable on surface streets.
Granted, there are some edge cases where the street/road/freeway lines blur. But in general, no.
blakeh95@reddit
[Citation needed]. Streets are highways for legal purposes. The terms are synonymous and interchangeable. Name a State and I'll cite the definition of "highway."
BugRevolution@reddit
Oddly, Alaska defines highways as any public right of way accessible and open to vehicular traffic.
But the DMV manual simultaneously highway in the above definition and in the commonly understood definition (expressly distinguishing between "alley" "street" and "highway" sometimes)
dlthewave@reddit
I'm not sure about other states but here in Montana the "drive right, pass left" law specifically excludes roads/highways within city limits (except for Interstates).
No_Pension_5065@reddit
You are wrong. Surface streets ARE generally highways in all 50.
gusterfell@reddit
So many people in this sub seem to think only limited-access highways are "highways," which means the vast majority of US and state highways... aren't.
No_Pension_5065@reddit
its a common misconception due to the connotations of the word "highway." But even a dirt road can be a highway.
PhoenixBait@reddit
A what?
I always respect that unless I will have to make a left turn soon, like maybe a half mile out I'll enter the left lane for my turn.
Tenzipper@reddit
If there is a left turn lane, or if left turns are legal from the road, keep right unless passing does not apply.
If it's a freeway, or limited access roadway, then you keep right unless passing.
Vizeroth1@reddit
In most areas the law will likely follow this. I generally get in the lane I need to be in for my destination when it comes to surface streets unless it’s a relatively high speed limit for a decent distance. I’m not going to freak out about someone driving 5 under in the left lane approaching an intersection… if it’s 3 lanes in my direction I’ll usually stay in the middle lane until I’m getting close to my turn. If it’s 2 lanes I just try to stay away from traffic leaving/entering the road
chilledfruitss@reddit
Yes, because you need to be in the left lane to make a left turn. Depends. But if you aren't turning and there isn't traffic, you should let traffic pass you on the left.
knockatize@reddit
And nobody needs to be in the left lane for mile upon mile before their left turn. But their mobile device says the next thing they’re doing is turning left, so that’s what they do and there they plant themselves, making it both slower and more dangerous for everybody else - including everyone else who needs to make left turns.
Substantial-Prune704@reddit
It still applies. But most people don’t seem to give a shit.
ThirdSunRising@reddit
It still kind of applies, but there are plenty of places to turn left so you can expect a zillion exceptions to the rule. Sure, hang right if you're cruising straight for miles, but don't get bent out of shape if slow drivers move left to make left turns.
moistdragons@reddit
Exactly! I don’t get people who het so pissed off at drivers being in the left lane on regular roads. The other day someone was matching my speed in the left lane, I was in the right and we were both going 50 in a 45 and this pickup came barreling down the road behind the car in the left lane and kept flashing his lights at him while tailgating him hard.
At the next light less than Half a mile later the car turned left. I’ll never understand why people get so mad.
zacmobile@reddit
Not sure where you are but in Canada passing lanes only exist on roads 80 km/hr or greater unless specifically indicated with signage.
RoidsNhemorrhoids@reddit
Correct.
Scienceheaded-1215@reddit
All state laws - summarized:
https://www.mwl-law.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/SLOWER-TRAFFIC-KEEP-RIGHT.pdf
playnmt@reddit
This pdf doesn’t list each states “exemptions” though. For example in my state, if the roadway is designed in such a way as to require a left exit or turn lanes, then the law doesn’t apply. Section B5 https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-8/part-2/section-55-8-204/
TangoXraySierra@reddit
Could you be motherfucking clearer about your gripe?
Stay out of the center lane in most cases. What the fuck else?
Alex_Masterson13@reddit
Highways, Interstates, Bypasses, and Expressways are limited-access roads and that is where the "pass on the left" rule generally applies. On any road where there are both left and right turns/exits, staying to the right is not required. Though people who sit in the left lane because their left turn/exit is coming up in 5 miles are still jerks.
ImpossibleLutefisk@reddit
On another note, I move to the left when I'm going straight through a light. I always find it irritating when I'm trying to turn right and someone camps in the right lane to just go straight.
Necro_the_Pyro@reddit
I find that the middle/left lane is the best cruising lane in city streets (not the big through streets, I'm talking about the slower ones with at most 35 mph speed limit) if possible. The right lane is often a shared right turn lane at every intersection, so people are constantly slowing down and turning onto and off of the right lane. Whereas the controlled intersections often have dedicated left turn lanes which cuts down on the congestion and stop and go in the left lane. If it is a bigger city with three lanes in each direction, the middle lane is the obvious choice until you get close to where you want to turn. It's not like people in the left lane are doing 20 mph faster than the people in the right lane like is often the case on the freeway.
rrhunt28@reddit
Any lane goes on surfc streets. People turn on and off surface streets constantly, it would be less safe trying to make the left lane for passing only.
do_you_like_waffles@reddit
Technically you should always stay right except to pass even on surface streets. However follow local traffic. In some places it's more normal to be in the lane you'll turn from, be that right or left. Besides on a surface street you shouldn't be trying to pass someone anyway. Too many pedestrians for that shit.
DraigMcGuinness@reddit
I was always told not to pass on side streets. I'm the only one in existence that doesn't. That's all I know.
blakeh95@reddit
No, everyone in that other thread is ignorant of the law. Every State defines "highway" as some version of "every way that is publicly maintained and open to vehicular travel." Unless you live in an HOA or private roadway, the street outside your house is a "highway" for legal purposes, even if you wouldn't call it that.
For one thing, most States also have some version of a "traffic law applies on highways" statute. If the other interpretation were correct, then the vast majority of traffic laws would not apply on surface streets.
Diligent-Version8283@reddit (OP)
Thank you for this. Your comment clears it up and taitht me something new. Thanks.
WakeupDingbat@reddit
The "passing lane" is not for cities, high traffic areas, areas with left turns, or 40 of the 50 states.
Contrary to Reddits massive "OMFG PASSING LANE" the rule nearly everywhere is actually:
Pick a goddamned lane, stay out of the way if merging traffic, leave following distance, and DON'T FUCKING REPEATEDLY PASS PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO FAST
I've driven cost to coast.
You wanna know how many city areas have multiple signs saying "get the fuck out of the right lane unless it's your exit." Or, "Through-Non Local traffic STAY IN THE LEFT LANE" Because it's a lot. Seriously.
Disco_Duck__@reddit
I've been driving a few decades and "surface streets" is a new term to me.
lets_just_n0t@reddit
So you saw that other guy post his video of the dude passing in the turning lane and now we’re here