Topic: Left Lane Lunacy

[Weexy]

So, I am driving back from Toronto airport late this afternoon, poking along in the left lane.  I think half a dozen times, I came to a complete stop in that lane, while traffic sales on past in the right and middle lanes.

It boggles my mind how that can happen....how can the right & middle lane which handles merging traffic be moving and the left lane come to a standstill??  I figured, maybe there's something blocking the left lane - someone in the left shoulder...  nope!  Nada, nothing...

This happens pretty regularly of course, but more than usual today.... so I thought i'd pi$$ & moan about it   

Anyone have any theories why this happens, other than pure idiot drivers??

[dr_spock]

Keep right except to pass. 

[initial_D]

Tourist Lane! Lawn Chair on wheels only allowed.

[rrocket]

So, I am driving back from Toronto airport late this afternoon, poking along in the left lane.  I think half a dozen times, I came to a complete stop in that lane, while traffic sales on past in the right and middle lanes.

It boggles my mind how that can happen....how can the right & middle lane which handles merging traffic be moving and the left lane come to a standstill??  I figured, maybe there's something blocking the left lane - someone in the left shoulder...  nope!  Nada, nothing...

This happens pretty regularly of course, but more than usual today.... so I thought i'd pi$$ & moan about it   

Anyone have any theories why this happens, other than pure idiot drivers??

Yea...seven words in..TORONTO.  Enough said...

[Careener]

That's why I drive in the "Careener" only lane most of the time.

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

You shouldn't be "poking along in the left lane", you are only supposed to use that lane to pass cars. It's not a cruising lane, doesn't matter if you are doing 100 or 140, other people will want to pass. Just pass the car(s) and signal your intention to move over so you don't anger the driver behind you. At least the driver behind you knows you are attempting to move over. People who cruise in the left on the highways tick me off and are a danger to other drivers.

"left lane come to a standstill" - This happens because everybody is jumping into the left lane, people follow too close and the second someone touches the brake, everyone does it, it goes for miles, a traffic "wave" that starts from the front and works it's way back. See http://amasci.com/amateur/traffic/trafexp.html and scroll down to see the animation demonstrating this.

[tpl]

Another one I have seen often in many, many years on the DVP is that someone is driving in the left lane, perhaps on the phone or drinking a coffee and suddenly realizes that they are almost past their exit. They signal( usually) and slam on the brakes while looking for a gap to their right to change lanes.

In my experience this often causes a fender bender in the left lane and sometimes causes a bigger crash in the centre and right lanes as a vehicle tries to cross those lanes at an oblique angle traveling much slower than the traffic in those lanes... even to the extent of causing a rollover which is guaranteed to cause a couple of hours delay for everyone.

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

TPL - I saw that on Monday going home from work. I was on St. Clair Ave. E. making a left turn to go north on Danforth Rd. I was in the intersection and this Mazda Protege was facing west and was in the intersection going to make a left turn to go south on Danforth Rd. A Dodge Caravan, who I guess was going to miss his left turn to go south on Danforth Rd. suddenly swerved from the left lane directly into the rear right of the Mazda. My windows were up and music playing, and I heard the man in the Mazda screaming "WTF?!? Pull the *uck over!". I completed my turn, stopped at the Esso on the corner and stayed as a witness for police. The guy in the Dodge was charged with careless driving and was at-fault.

Lesson: If you miss your turn, turn elsewhere. Miss your exit? Get off at the next one. Don't know where to go if you miss the exit? Have a GPS so you don't get lost. I'm glad I bought one, saves me the headache if I'm not familiar with the area.

[Weexy]

You shouldn't be "poking along in the left lane", you are only supposed to use that lane to pass cars. It's not a cruising lane, doesn't matter if you are doing 100 or 140, other people will want to pass. Just pass the car(s) and signal your intention to move over so you don't anger the driver behind you. At least the driver behind you knows you are attempting to move over. People who cruise in the left on the highways tick me off and are a danger to other drivers.

"left lane come to a standstill" - This happens because everybody is jumping into the left lane, people follow too close and the second someone touches the brake, everyone does it, it goes for miles, a traffic "wave" that starts from the front and works it's way back. See http://amasci.com/amateur/traffic/trafexp.html and scroll down to see the animation demonstrating this.

Yes, that wasn't the best choice of words... I meant I was in a long line of traffic with many cars in front and behind me.  I'm not in the left lane unless I am passing someone... which is "Driving 101" that many people don't get...

Interesting link - i've tried the same thing, leave more space and try to avoid braking, but every single time someone will pull into the space to get "ahead"...

[Shnak]

Keep right except to pass. 

Yep, nobody should be 'poking along in the left lane'...

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

WxyOne18  - You should read the book "Traffic: Why we drive the way we drive". Very interesting read.

[Winklovic]

WxyOne18  - You should read the book "Traffic: Why we drive the way we drive". Very interesting read.

I'll second that.  Great book.

[Weexy]

Will check it out...

[safristi]

..But don't stay on the LEFT PAGES................

[DrJay]

So i'm cruising along the 401 westbound last night doing about a buck twentyfive, trailing about 4-5 cars with moderate traffic in the center lane. Suddenly brake lights come on left lane slows to a crawl, center lane cruises by, my grouping are franticly looking for openings to get around some young clown and his girlfriend busy (and obviously) jamming to some tune wilst waving and laughing at the line of cars trying to get around, waits for the last car in line (me) to go by ......then gets over into the center lane.   

[Weexy]

So i'm cruising along the 401 westbound last night doing about a buck twentyfive, trailing about 4-5 cars with moderate traffic in the center lane. Suddenly brake lights come on left lane slows to a crawl, center lane cruises by, my grouping are franticly looking for openings to get around some young clown and his girlfriend busy (and obviously) jamming to some tune wilst waving and laughing at the line of cars trying to get around, waits for the last car in line (me) to go by ......then gets over into the center lane.   

I'm pretty sure that you are legally allowed to pull out a laser vaporizing weapon of your choice on people like that.   

[DrJay]

So i'm cruising along the 401 westbound last night doing about a buck twentyfive, trailing about 4-5 cars with moderate traffic in the center lane. Suddenly brake lights come on left lane slows to a crawl, center lane cruises by, my grouping are franticly looking for openings to get around some young clown and his girlfriend busy (and obviously) jamming to some tune wilst waving and laughing at the line of cars trying to get around, waits for the last car in line (me) to go by ......then gets over into the center lane.   

I'm pretty sure that you are legally allowed to pull out a laser vaporizing weapon of your choice on people like that.   

Don't I wish....

[drumix]

I have to say the original post is a quite vague and someone need instructions on how to post a question in a blog...

There are so many variables that can cause this kind of bottle-necking in traffic. Traffic light timing, Construction, Road planning, junctions, intersections, time of day, time of week or weekend, weather conditions etc...

Keeping right it not the always answer as many roadways require drivers to stay in the left in preparation for exiting at a junction..but of course these details are not mentioned in the original post so how can you expect any real help here...and please explain how 'idiot drivers' contribute to this?  'idiot drivers' are in ALL lanes..

So the the real question is why are you (WxyOne18) in the left lane? This would really help your query...perhaps you and everyone else in that lane are going for a Big M@C and that kind of food makes people poke along...

Good luck
drumix

[Weexy]

I have to say the original post is a quite vague and someone need instructions on how to post a question in a blog...

There are so many variables that can cause this kind of bottle-necking in traffic. Traffic light timing, Construction, Road planning, junctions, intersections, time of day, time of week or weekend, weather conditions etc...

Keeping right it not the always answer as many roadways require drivers to stay in the left in preparation for exiting at a junction..but of course these details are not mentioned in the original post so how can you expect any real help here...and please explain how 'idiot drivers' contribute to this?  'idiot drivers' are in ALL lanes..

So the the real question is why are you (WxyOne18) in the left lane? This would really help your query...perhaps you and everyone else in that lane are going for a Big M@C and that kind of food makes people poke along...

Good luck
drumix

Whats the question?  It's right there in my post:  "how can the right & middle lane which handles merging traffic be moving and the left lane come to a standstill??"
I'm referring specifically to Hwy 401.   This is in the Moan & Whine section, which is a place to come and about something.

I'd have to guess that you have never driven the 401 through Toronto.  There are no left lane exits (anywhere, much less "for a Big Mac..."    ) or traffic lights....

Why am I in the left lane?  Because i'm passing slower traffic.  Problem is, with Toronto traffic, that doesn't last long.  When i'm not passing slower traffic, I move over.  Left lane floaters certainly burn my a$$, so I make a point not to do it.  You will come across 'idiots' like DrJay described above on the 401 all the time.

[safristi]

  ..."Left lane floaters burn my ass"......chose the center cubicle............