What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

When I drive my usual daily work commute, I find that people just drive more fast everyday....I usual like to drive in the left lane(fast lane) and I usually average 70mph and that is really fast to me....I mean thats what 15-20 over the speed limit...BUT people fly past me going over 80 mph, and I find myself driving 80 mph just to keep up with traffic. Even at 80mph I still get passed and cut off.... What do you think going SLOW in the "fast lane" is???

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

slow in the fast lane, depends on the road but if you're not going 70...you're going to slow.. and it's got to be a "good" 70..not dropping down in the 60's every few seconds...

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

Posted by Linda1003

slow in the fast lane, depends on the road but if you're not going 70...you're going to slow.. and it's got to be a "good" 70..not dropping down in the 60's every few seconds...

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

As long as I am passing someone on the right lane and I am doing at least the speed limit, I don't consider myself driving slowly in the left lane. The left lane is a passing lane. I am passing someone who is slower. I can't be responsible if someone wants to drive 70, 80, 100 on the left lane. As long as I don't merge in front of them of course.

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

I use the 'fast' lane only to pass people.
If someone in the left lane is going slower than the folks in the right lane or middle lane, than they should move over.

I don't quantify it by speed - but by my ability to pass.

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

For me, the left lane is the passing lane... I agree with many PP.

If I am in the left lane because I am passing people and there is nobody behind me, I am going fast enough.

I am definitely annoyed by people who drive in the left lane and don't move over when cars come up behind them... especially when there is nobody in the lane next to them.

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

I do about 70 in the fast lane, but I don't try to go near 80.

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

If someone is not passing a car-just cruising, then I consider that too slow for the left lane.

I only use the left lane if I am passing someone that is going to slow for the right lane (or just driving like an idiot).

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

At any speed, if I'm getting passed in the middle or right lane, the I'm going too slow and need to move over.

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

As someone who uses the left lane to pass not go fast, I say anything less than 65-70 is too slow for the left lane. Once I pass the vehicle I wanted to get around I leave the left lane and drop my speed so its within 10mph over the posted limit.

I'm a cautious driver - I drive within the posted speed limits. To me anything more than 10 mph OVER the limit is too fast.

I just think once you're over that limit you're going to fast to be able to stop suddenly or avoid a collision. Plus I feel there are too many idiots on the roads around here...JMO

Message edited 10/22/2009 3:50:17 PM.

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

I usually drive in the middle lane and do 65-70. I just commented on this yesterday to DH because some crazyazz driver was behind me flashing his lights and tailgating me in the middle lane. I do not feel the need to move over acting in that way just makes me continue driving the same speed or even slow down. So many people really do drive too fast IMO.

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

If you are passing people in the other lanes- then you aren't driving slow.. But the "fast" lane isn't a "fast" lane- it is a passing lane- so if you are passing everyone, and there is room for you to get over into a right lane, you should do so

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

In LI, 70ish, but NJ, if you are not pushing 100 in the left lane, people are up ur butt, honking, high beaming, and then giving you the finger while they pass you

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

Left lane is really supposed to be the passing lane. When you drive outside of the NYC metro area that's usually the case. For some reason here people travel in the left lane. Honestly I think 70 is slow for the left lane...especially from what I've experienced. I rarely drive the highway (a little initimidated by it ) when I do I stay on the right lane and go 60mph I'll pass someone if they're going slower than that.

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

When i'm driving on LI on the SSP, i usually travel in the middle lane, and usually only use the left lane for passing. The road is just too curvy (on the areas i travel) to go much faster than 65-70 in the left lane i think.
However, when i'm on a highway that is wider and more straight (like rt 84 going up to Boston) i travel mostly in the left lane and go a consistent 80. If someone comes up behind me and is going faster, i move over. If there's no one behind me, i stay where i am.

IMO the speed is usually determined by the amount of traffic. You can't go fast if there is a lot of it.

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

I tend to stay out of the left lane because of the reckless driving that permeates LI.

With that said, with a speed limit of 55, I consider anything less than that to be slow in the "fast" lane. I know the "norm" is 70, but, if caught speeding at more than 15MPH over the speed limit, it is no longer a just a speeding ticket, it is now a misdemeanor offense for reckless driving.

Re: What do you consider driving slow in the fast lane?

I recently learned to use the left lane as the passing lane. I don't see that to be the norm where I am (ie the BQE, Belt SIE) but when out of the area you need to pass and get over cause someone is always going faster. It's kinda scary to think that I'm going about 80 and am being passed.