Street Smarts: Highway’s left lane is for passing, not parking

Let’s get the big one out of the way first.

Let’s get the elephant out of the living room — or the giant tortoise out of the fast lane.

By now you ought to know what I’m talking about.

In my one whole week of writing this column, I’ve heard no complaints more than the one about slow drivers clogging up the left lane.

It happens everywhere, but anyone who’s traveled outside the region knows it’s a Puget Sound-area specialty — and often comes with a blinker left on.

Let’s engage the regular speculations: These drivers do it out of stubbornness, trying to teach speeders a lesson. They do out of plain ignorance of the law. They do it because they simply stay unaware of how they’re impeding the flow of traffic.

Whatever happened to the occasional road sign that states: “Keep right except to pass”?

Washington State Patrol trooper Keith Leary says these slow drivers are breaking the law as much as someone who speeds.

Here’s his written explanation, in part:

“We do stop vehicles on a regular basis for this law. The intent of this law is for drivers to use the left lane as a passing lane only. It is a $124 infraction that is considered a moving violation and will go on your driving record.

“Not only does this impede the smooth flow of traffic when they are ‘camped out’ in the left lane, it can also lead to a road rage situation. I have personally observed slow drivers being ‘flipped off’ or cut off and brakes applied to get back at slow drivers who choose to drive in the left lane. Ultimately a collision could be caused due to a driver retaliating against another driver.

“We have to use our common sense with this type of law. We are not going to stop every car for traveling in the left lane if they are not passing. We understand traffic is heavy during rush hour and high traffic periods. Troopers are trained and have the discretion when it comes to stopping a car for this violation. We are simply seeking the driver who is backing up traffic on the freeway when the right lanes are open and free of traffic.”

Complaints about slow drivers in the left lane are among the most common the State Patrol receives, Leary said. It’s right up there with aggressive drivers, speeders, DUIs, tailgaters and people not using their turn signals, he said.

Another aspect to this issue is how to pass those slow drivers. Trooper Leary writes: “A common question we also get is if it is OK to pass slower vehicles on the right. It is OK as long as drivers are paying attention and doing so in a manner that is safe.

“The carpool lane is not considered a primary traffic lane. Drivers will not be cited for keeping right except to pass if they are going slower in this lane, although, the impeding law could come into effect if a driver is backing up five vehicles or more. A driver also will not be cited if they change lanes from the carpool lane to the left lane then back to the carpool lane to pass traffic as long as it is done safely.”

Street Smarts received another related question this week.

Rick Belcher of Marysville asks: Why can an empty transit bus drive in the carpool lane with only one driver? Not only is the bus slowing existing traffic, but keeping carpools from reaching the speed limit.

Trooper Leary responds: Transit buses have an exemption to the rule. They may be en route from dropping off a load of passengers and heading to pick up another load. They are on a time schedule just like an airline.

E-mail Street Smarts at stsmarts@heraldnet.com.