(COLO) – It’s a pet peeve for many drivers, but Colorado State Troopers want to explain why hanging out in the left lane is not just annoying to other drivers, but also potentially dangerous. Troopers also want to remind you that when you are traveling on multi-lane highways with a speed limit of 65 miles per hour or greater, it is also illegal.
“Many people who regularly drive in the left lane don't even realize they're breaking the law,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “More importantly, ‘left lane campers’ aren’t aware of their impact on traffic flow and how it can trigger aggressive driving.”
In an effort to unclog the highways, Colorado law (Colorado Revised Statutes Title 42. Vehicles and Traffic § 42-4-1013(1) designates the farthest left lane if there are two or more adjacent lanes of traffic moving in the same direction on highways with a speed limit of 65 or more as the “passing lane.” This means that any lane that is to the right of the passing lane moving in the same direction on one roadway is deemed a “nonpassing lane.”
With the left lane designated for overtaking and passing slower traffic, driving slower in this lane often creates one or two problematic scenarios. First, it can create a bottleneck, making the entire road system less efficient. When this occurs, the second scenario often arises, where drivers become frustrated and initiate aggressive behaviors, such as tailgating or unsafe passing.
When a driver in a designated passing lane is impeding traffic, other motorists may try to pass on the right, placing them in the left lane driver’s blind spot. This increases the chance of a crash if the driver in the left lane attempts to merge right to exit or change lanes.
“Two wrongs don’t make a right when you encounter a driver who is refusing to move out of the passing lane,” explained Col. Packard. “Pack a little patience and don’t risk your life over this situation. Oddly enough, frustrated drivers frequently create a domino effect for congestion in the nonpassing lanes when they make these unsafe lane changes.”
The right lanes also typically contain slower traffic, exit ramps and merging traffic, which all add to the risks of passing on that side.
Reduce Risk and Increase Traffic Flow – Leave the Furthest Left Lane Open for Passing
- After passing or allowing merging traffic to enter the highway, maintain the speed limit and return to a nonpassing lane.
- Unless you are passing, turning left, or giving space to vehicles stopped in an emergency in a lane or shoulder, you should stay in the right lanes to allow for efficient traffic flow.
- Drive predictably. Maintain a consistent speed with the flow of traffic and roadway conditions to avoid abrupt changes in speed or space between vehicles.
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