Left Lane is for Passing, Not Cruising

- -

- Greetings fellow drivers of Hampton Roads. You may have noticed a new - sign on I264 today that befuddled or confused you. It went something - along the lines of -

- -

LEFT LANE IS FOR PASSING NOT CRUISING

- -

- Believe it or not this has been the law throughout Virginia for years - (read about it here - and - here). The law states you keep right except while passing. In most other - states things work this way but in Virginia, especially around here, the - left lane is treated as a moving, cruising lane. If you're in the left - lane and you've completed a pass please be mindful of the cars behind - you and move back over into the right-hand lane(s) so that other drivers - can do the same. -

- -

- It's really nice when this is practiced (like I said, I've experienced - it in other states) because you can easily move over when there are slow - vehicles ahead and then continue on your merry way. It reduces - congestion and prevents people from having to pass in the right lane, - which is both annoying and dangerous. Especially since this is typically - the lane cars from entrance and exit ramps are merging with. -

- -

- Don't forget too that it isn't rude or road-rage-y for someone behind - you to honk their horn or flash their lights if you're moving too slowly - in the passing lane. This is a perfectly polite request to pass you. You - don't set or enforce the speed limit. The correct (and legal) thing to - do, believe it or not, is to move over and slow down to let them pass - you. It's all about safe and sane driving etiquette. If you aren't - actively passing other cars, move on over to the right. It goes a long - way. -