You’ve been here. The driver in front of you is in the left lane. He (or she) is going the same speed as the car to his right. Or even slower. You and drivers behind you are either stewing or maneuvering to the right to overcome this left lane hog.
You wonder. What is this driver thinking? Is he on the phone? A self-appointed speed vigilante? Unaware of traffic etiquette? Or simply oblivious?
Recently, I had the “opportunity” to ride shotgun with a colleague who occupied the left lane. As we cruised along, we enjoyed the animus of tailgaters, lights flashers and those of the obscene gesture persuasion who took umbrage at our occupation of the left lane. For my part, I wanted to either strangle the driver or crawl onto the floor of the backseat. Instead I asked the question to which we ALL want know the answer:
Why are you driving in the left lane?
The answer was as revealing as it was simple. There were 3 points:
- This driver liked the open road. She liked the feel that no one was in front of her. And, to be sure, when you’re driving slower than traffic, most of it that can get past you leaves you in the dust. But for you, the road ahead is clear.
- For this driver the left lane was the least threatening. Of three lanes, we all know that entering and exiting traffic in the right most lane presents a constant challenge to the through traffic driver. But what I learned from my left lane lover was her aversion to the center lane. Seems like, with traffic on both sides, there’s just too much going on to be comfortable there. Okay then. Maybe see someone about that.
- I-thought-so: “I’m going fast enough.” Or “traffic is moving fast enough.” Love the spirit of vigilantism. My speed is the right speed.
I still think most slow left lane drivers are oblivious. More commonly they’re on their phone with a brain a 1000 miles away from their corporeal presence. It was gratifying to have the opportunity to understand what is in the mind of at least one slow left lane driver. It doesn’t mean I like them any better.
