{"id":5042,"date":"2015-09-15T16:18:46","date_gmt":"2015-09-15T16:18:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adamchandler.me\/blog\/\/?p=5042"},"modified":"2015-09-15T16:18:46","modified_gmt":"2015-09-15T16:18:46","slug":"rants-overtaking-lanes-on-interstates-youre-doing-it-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adamchandler.me\/blog\/2015\/09\/15\/rants-overtaking-lanes-on-interstates-youre-doing-it-wrong\/","title":{"rendered":"Rants: Overtaking lanes on Interstates. You’re doing it wrong."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Driving<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

My commute to work includes 2.5 miles on Interstate 89 in New Hampshire. I enter the interstate doing the speed limit (65), signal and on most days, the person doesn\u2019t get over for me and I have to hit my brakes and merge behind them. Generally, I approach a car in the travel lane doing the speed limit or just below it and I pass them. At least once per day, there is someone in the passing \/ overtake lane also doing the speed limit. They remain there for some time or they are doing 1-2 MPH more than the person in the travel lane and so for 2 miles, I sit behind them waiting for them to make a pass only to realize that they stay in the passing lane for another 5 miles without getting over.<\/span><\/p>\n

On long road trips, it\u2019s normal to go through this ordeal every 10 miles or so. New Hampshire and Vermont are very rural areas. Sometimes, there\u2019s no one else on the road with you as far as you can see and other times, you\u2019re stuck behind the two cars for miles where both are traveling at the exact same speed and I\u2019m unable to pass.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This happens all too often. I just thought I was crazy but I checked New Hampshire<\/a> and Vermont<\/a> statutes on the law.<\/span><\/p>\n

New Hampshire:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0265:16 Drive on Right Side of Roadway; Exceptions. \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I. Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:\u00a0
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (a) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;\u00a0
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (b) When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the way; provided, any person so doing shall yield the right of way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the way within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;\u00a0
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (c) Upon a roadway divided into 3 marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon;\u00a0
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (d) Upon a city street designated and signposted for one-way traffic.<\/em><\/span>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Vermont:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\u00a7 1031. Driving to right<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

(<\/span>a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

(1) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

(2) when an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway; provided, any person so doing shall yield the right of way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

(3) upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; or<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

(4) upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.<\/em><\/span>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Both are\u00a0basically identical and both dictate that traveling is on the right side or middle and passing (overtaking) occurs on the far-left lane (inside lane) and travelers should then get back over into the travel lane.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, popular culture has convinced Americans that the inner lane is the \u201cfast lane\u201d. I\u2019ve heard this from almost everyone \u201cI was in the fast lane and this guy was riding my butt\u201d. No, you were in the passing lane. Were you passing someone or overtaking at a reasonable speed?\u00a0<\/p>\n

There are many issues to traveling in the passing lane that some people do not consider:<\/p>\n