Left Lane Hogs

[Coaster]

I've come to the sad conclusion that it's a waste of time, effort, rage, etc. in hoping that drivers would keep to the right except to pass or make a left turn. Some prime examples below:

Example 1: I was on Trafalgar Road heading north on the bridge going over the 401. A car turns off the off ramp and goes directly to the left lane & I have to brake so I don't hit them. The road in front of us is empty so I figure they must be turning left. I passed them & proceeded to the next light a good 2 km further on to make a left turn. As I'm waiting at the red low & behold the idiot shows up still in the left lane.

Example 2: Heading north on Hwy 25 north of Dundas. A group of cars including myself pass a couple of cars going slowly in the left lane. As we come up to 407 the road narrows to 2 lanes & I notice an ambulance coming up from behind with emergency lights on. I pull over & the other cars in front of me also pull over. Low & behold the slow moving idiots come along still in the middle of the road oblivious to the ambulance and block it. The ambulance had to go into the left turn lane to get by the jerks while they proceeded on & BTW passed all of us on the side of the road, so that we were stuck behind them again.

Example 3: Heading north on Erin Mills Parkway just before 403. I saw an ambulance & police car come off the 403 east ramp with emergency lights on heading for the hospital. The cars in front of me & I pull to the right except for one car which slows down in the left lane & forces the ambulance to stop behind it. They then moved right so the ambulance could get by. The cop did pull up next to them & made a signal to them but should have given them a ticket.

Example 4: A friend was at traffic court to try to get a speeding fine decreased since she's a student. Also there were 3 women trying to get their ticket for blocking an emergency vehicle reduced, their excuse was they didn't know they had to move to the right. The judge said no because it was a serious offence. He should have sent them to traffic school too.

Summary: If these drivers are too stupid, moronic, ignorant of the law, "insert favorite insult" what hope do we have that the left lane would actually be kept clear except to pass. It seems to happen so infrequently now that I revel in the feeling when it does happen. If there are drivers out there that don't know they're supposed to move to the right for an emergency vehicle what hope is there that they would "keep right except to pass" or even know what the HTA is. At least if some guy is speeding & passes everyone they're down the road & gone. Not these idiots, you're stuck with them to increase your stress level. So I am going to try to make my life easier & not get pissed off at these morons & maybe my stress level & blood pressure will come down.

Also don't get me started on these bicycle dudes taking up a full lane by riding 2 or 3 abreast.

[DrunknFoo]

WOW, after reading your rant I started to get frustrated and royally pissed. I agree with you 110%.
Unfortunately, the problem lies within the lack of police enforcement. I have yet to witness or hear of anyone getting pulled over for obstructing traffic.

[boyracer]

Those cyclists that ride 3 abreast, I want to F$%King run them over :flaming.. People in this country have on idea about our driving laws, it's so frustrating. All your examples are great, and I've been & seen each and every situation. These people should get tickets no and's, if's or but's. AND WHY DON"T PEOPLE KNOW WHAT A YIELD SIGN IS and WHAT IT MEANS!!

[Hoodzy]

Also I would bet that the people that drive in the left lane are the ones who get angry and love seeing people get speeding tickets. They are so oblivious. I blame the system, police and licensing.

[prime]

I've witnessed a police car rushing through traffic with the cherries on and whilst most of us moved over to the right most lane one individual on the left lane didn't know what to do. The cop had plenty of room to go around through the middle lane but persisted on the car to yield, but instead the car slows down to a complete stop and the cop went beside and gave the person a good 10second lecture and resumed traveling to the emergency.

I've got plenty of stories to share but it'll just get my blood boiling after being reminded lol

IMO it's not just lack of police enforcement but also inadequate driving exams. I don't understand how some people get their licenses sometimes-either they cheat or paid someone to provide them with one because I find certain people are not fit/meant to drive...

[prime]

Also I would bet that the people that drive in the left lane are the ones who get angry and love seeing people get speeding tickets. They are so oblivious. I blame the system, police and licensing.

Yes!!! They think they're on the right side of the law which gets under my skin. Some people find it to be "safe driving" but they don't understand their ignorance cause aggravation by their lane hogging that it evolves to road rage, arbitrary lane changes and unpredictable driving which sometimes ripples to accidents...

I think I should avoid this thread because as a person that spends a lot of time driving I find this is one of my biggest pet peeves lol

[boyracer]

Yes!!! They think they're on the right side of the law which gets under my skin. Some people find it to be "safe driving" but they don't understand their ignorance cause aggravation by their lane hogging that it evolves to road rage, arbitrary lane changes and unpredictable driving which sometimes ripples to accidents...

I think I should avoid this thread because as a person that spends a lot of time driving I find this is one of my biggest pet peeves lol

+1,000,000 couldn't agree more. I drive for a living, That's why I didn't get into much detail.... I could feel my blood starting to boil just thinking about it

[peterm15]

ive actually been debating putting a camera on my dash so when i do smoke a bike i can at least prove that it was their fault.
To many of them running reds or passing a turning car on the inside, to top it all off they have no insurence so whos gonna pay for my car.

As for laft lane hogs, i see it all to often,last week i actually laid on my horn and ran a red ( green in the other direction, all traffic was stopped for the ambulance)to get out of the way of an ambulance that was stuck behind somone who was in the left lane and to flustered to know what to do. I ran it, pulled over and both the ambulance and a cop waved as they passed me.

[Hoodzy]

Funny story. I was at a BMW dealership and there was this old lady getting into her vehicle. As she was getting in a car pulled up behind her as the lot attendant was moving inventory. She backs into the car. Puts 100% of the blame on the lot attendant.
A. Even if someone pulls in behind you in a parking lot you do not have the right of way regardless.
B. USE YOUR DAMN MIRRORS
C. She was driving a BMW with parking sensors. They were going off!!!

It`s bad enough as it is that you blatantly back into someone without looking where you are going while your parking sensors are going off. But to sit there and not take any responsibility. God I am sure she`s probably run over people and hasn`t even noticed. Dumb ass broad. It`s a real shame I was working at the time otherwise I would have screamed at her until I went blue.

[vinnierap]

I understand the city strets people not moving out of the left lane. But it irratates me the most on the hwy. Thats the biggest piss of for me. I wish we had the same laws as the autobahn. I would but a push bar on the front of my car and hit everyone who doesnt move outta my way :huge smile

[Hoodzy]

City streets are ok to a point. If it's not busy don't sit and drive beside someone unless it's necessary.
70km and up. The left lane is then strictly for passing.. so stay the eff out. :)

[Booter22]

yet you can drive in the states and they know exactly what they are doing for the most part. you get in a two lane road or hwy and everyone stays on the right lane except to pass, only in canada do we seem to have more drivers sticking in the left passing lane doing less then the speed limit.

[PCLoadLetter]

I agree that the left lane should be for passing only, but this isn't Europe and it will never be that way.

Sadly, the majority of people on our roads in Canada are terrible drivers and there is nothing any of us can do to change that.

Especially with the congestion these days, the only thing you can do is accept it, give yourself extra time for where you have to go, expect delays, drive stress free :)

[Pillbox2010]

I normally sit in the left lane on the highway and the city streets, but I don't drive like an idiot and pull over for emergency vehicles 100% of the time.

I drive in the left lane on streets because in Hamilton there are a ton of sunken sewers in the right lane that if you hit you may do some serious damage to your car.

On the highway I drive in the left lane because I find its the safest place to drive. The middle and right lane has too many slow moving vehicles that I pass anyways, and with the constant lane changes of people entering/exiting the highway I've seen a ton of potential accidents. I drive a constant 110-120kph in the left and will always let people by if they wanna do 140kph, its their insurance not mine that will hurt when they get caught.

Driving home from Toronto one night I was driving in the left lane as usual and flying up behind me with his lights flashing, was an OPP SUV. I quickly changed lanes as I figured he wanted to get by me. I've seen the cops use the left lane to travel quickly so I doubted that he was coming for me. However the woman driving in front of me sat there in front of him for a good 20 seconds until she finally swerved and let him by. I could see her gesturing to her passenger that she saw the cop in her rear view mirror point to the right lane as if to move over NOW. I thought WOW what an idiot. It didn't seem like she even noticed he was there for a good 20 seconds and I could tell he was getting pissed off, as he got right up to her bumper pretty much. The worst part was the swerve, as I doubt she even checked her mirror or blind spot before she made that drastic action.

This is just one example of Many bonehead moves I've seen people make on the roads. I agree that we need stiffer road tests, however in Ontario we are lucky to even have the graduated license system as other provinces and states don't and its much easier to get a full license.

[Mitchell3]

Near daily occurrence for me.. blows my mind as to why they are there.. And they dont get the hint when everyones passing you on the right.. The more lanes, the bigger the wtf moment I have when they are still all the way left.

[STeeLy]

I hate left lane hogs

The worst I've seen was when I was on the 401 heading westbound near Scarborough.

I was in the left lane doing about 115 - 120 and passing people. I am coming up behind a car with a driving school sign on top of it.

I'm getting closer and closer and the car had plenty of room and plenty of time to move over, nope... stays in the left lane. I was within about 1 - 2 car lengths behind that car and they never moved out of the left lane. Finally, I said screw it, and pass them on the right, looked back at the car and there were 2 people in it. I have to guess that one of them had to be the instructor.

If an instructor doesn't teach a student to move out of the left lane or if the instructor him/herself doesn't move out of the left lane, our future drivers are going to assume that it's ok from that particular instructor, then it's just going to get worse.

[boyracer]

There was a time (only a few years ago) that a few people did eventually get out of your way in the left lane if you stayed on their ass long enough. But now since the introduction of the HOV lanes I find that almost every one never moves out of the passing lane for a faster car. The HOV lane has completely messed them up, they now think the HOV lane is the passing lane. Frustrating!

[alho]

I also think it has to do with immigrants (not trying to sound ignorant or anything)... but I think in Asia and places, their left lane is the slow lane, so if they got their licenses back home, they might think the same thing for Canada.

I usually go around them if I can or just give them high beams to move...

[Slade]

There was a time (only a few years ago) that a few people did eventually get out of your way in the left lane if you stayed on their ass long enough. But now since the introduction of the HOV lanes I find that almost every one never moves out of the passing lane for a faster car. The HOV lane has completely messed them up, they now think the HOV lane is the passing lane. Frustrating!

And everyone in the HOV lane seems to think its for doing 140 in, I've noticed that people in the lane almost have to to faster the the lane to the right of them.

If I take it I do 115-120, and if someones on my ass I let of the gas, its not a racing lane, we are already moving quicker then the other traffic in general...my dad use to accidentally slip his foot of the gas, and it takes a while to start going through 13gears in a truck again :)

[xxSlidewaysxx]

I love this one, just for the reasons being discussed:

http://www.drivers.com/article/149/

Carry on disscusion

[Hoodzy]

I've been ticketed for going 8km over the limit.. I was furious. However I shouldn't go out on public roads and start obstructing traffic and endangering lives just because I am pissed.. You should instead attack the gov in whatever way you feel fit.
The left lane is a passing lane.. if you are not passing gtfo.. it has nothing to do with what speed you are traveling.

[KenYork]

And everyone in the HOV lane seems to think its for doing 140 in, I've noticed that people in the lane almost have to to faster the the lane to the right of them.

If I take it I do 115-120, and if someones on my ass I let of the gas, its not a racing lane, we are already moving quicker then the other traffic in general...my dad use to accidentally slip his foot of the gas, and it takes a while to start going through 13gears in a truck again :)

+1

The HOV should be moving faster than the lane to the right. Slower traffic should always move right. Even if you're doing 115-120, if more than 2 cars pass you on the right, you should be moving over. Nobody should have to pass on the right. If they get caught speeding that is their problem. You just need to follow the rule of slower traffic keeping right.

[vinnierap]

^^^. I never use the highways that have hov lanes (only 400 and 401) daily... But the hov lane is for carpooling vehicles High Occupancy Vehicle. That is not a passing lane.

[The Wolf]

I don't consider myself a left lane hogger, but if I'm passing a group of cars in the left lane on the 401 or equivalent going like 120, I don't feel the need to speed up or force myself in to get out of the way of someone wanting to go 150, especially if I see them weaving in and out while coming up behind me.

[KenYork]

^^^. I never use the highways that have hov lanes (only 400 and 401) daily... But the hov lane is for carpooling vehicles High Occupancy Vehicle. That is not a passing lane.

Correct, it is for high occupancy vehicles. But it still must form to the rule of slower traffic keep right. Otherwise it would not make sense for them to have the HOV lanes.

Why drive 95 in the HOV when the rest of traffic is moving 100? Does it make sense?



The 403 through Mississauga also has a HOV lane.


I don't consider myself a left lane hogger, but if I'm passing a group of cars in the left lane on the 401 or equivalent going like 120, I don't feel the need to speed up or force myself in to get out of the way of someone wanting to go 150, especially if I see them weaving in and out while coming up behind me.

I feel the same way. But if there is a stretch where I can move over I will as long as I don't have to speed up or slow down from my 120. It's all relative to the flow of traffic.

[PCLoadLetter]

Correct, it is for high occupancy vehicles. But it still must form to the rule of slower traffic keep right. Otherwise it would not make sense for them to have the HOV lanes.

Why drive 95 in the HOV when the rest of traffic is moving 100? Does it make sense?

It makes perfect sense. The HOV lane is designed for bypassing traffic during the worst hours of congestion, not to go quicker in.

Besides, the slow person in the HOV lane is off to the side and out of your way. :)

[05Mazda3GT]

I think someone posted this video a while ago but it's perfect for this thread.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKOJJzMDHjI&feature=channel_video_title

[xxSlidewaysxx]

I think someone posted this video a while ago but it's perfect for this thread.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKOJJzMDHjI&feature=channel_video_title

Seen that before and LUV it!:like

[vinnierap]

^^WTF.... Should have given him a ticket so he knows what he did wrong and why he is a moron! Now he thinks hes just supposed to move over for a cop. None the less. awesome video, made me laugh.

[m_bisson]

JUST NOW on my way to school I moved to the right lane to pass a slow mover and they turned right into me. I hit the grass (no curb) and gunned it to pass them. Complete idiocy.