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From: hijab@cad.UUCP (Raif Hijab)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Obstructing left lane
Message-ID: <64@cad.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 24-Feb-86 13:13:05 EST
Article-I.D.: cad.64
Posted: Mon Feb 24 13:13:05 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Feb-86 20:13:26 EST
References: <3570@harpo.UUCP> <448@tekig5.UUCP> <275@twitch.UUCP> <152@minnie.UUCP>
Organization: U. C. Berkeley CAD Group
Lines: 15
Summary: What law is actually in effect?

A Florida patrolman failed me on my first driving test in the U.S.,
for remaining in the left lane of a four-lane highway. As I drive 
on I-80 between San Francisco and Sacramento, I wonder at the horde
of cars "parked" in the left lane at 50-55 mph. While the two left-most
lanes carry 70% or more of the traffic, the two rightmost lanes are
often empty. As a matter of fact, the rightmost lanes are the ones
you see speeding cars zooming through, having apparently given up on
using the "fast lanes". The CHP frequently pass by, and I have yet
to see them ticket someone for hogging the right lane.

Do you wonder how I observed this? You guessed it. I do not always
drive 55 mph. I think one of the least safe conditions to be in on
the freeway is in the middle of a cluster of cars driving 55 mph with
an average spacing of less than two car lengths, which seems to be
what these "safe, 55 mph" drivers insist on doing.