Driving in left lane (fast lane) too long?

[MagnusA]

I read somewhere here (forgot where) that you can be fined for driving in left lane for too long since left lane considered the fast lane for overtaking. Trucks are usually slower than cars. But what is considered "too long"?

If I know that I'm going to turn left a few blocks ahead, can I stay in left lane or do I have to change lanes back and forth?

In-game there's no problem - no fines there - but I'm curious about the real world for the game role-playing part and for some realism.

[Wille Wilse]

In Sweden we do have that law, but I dont know what is considering "too long".

[tdjpack]

not so much too long but as trucks are governed now pretty much same speed its more how much traffic you are holding up trying to overtake. lane hogs are just plain ignorant.

[MirkoC407]

Never had this in any of the both games while driving on a multi lane road inside or outside of cities. Only when overtaking on roads with one lane and coming into a zone where overtaking is forbidden or in ETS2 when having difficulties to adapt between mainland traffic and UK. Even when overtaking where trucks must stay in the right (left in UK) on motorways / interstates I did not get fined. So if this happens it must be very new.

[The Pitts]

Real world-wise, rules are one thing, enforcement is quite another

[ap70621]

The left lane is the "passing lane" not the fast lane. It is supposed to be just as the name implies, for passing. Some people "camp" out in that lane forcing others to pass them on the right. Enforcement varies by state.

[room217au]

In my country the law is "keep left unless overtaking" .. or if we was ina USA, "Keep right unless overtaking". I'm assuming it's the same principle covering "too long".

[jmmsmokey]

Originally posted by MagnusA:

I read somewhere here (forgot where) that you can be fined for driving in left lane for too long since left lane considered the fast lane for overtaking. Trucks are usually slower than cars. But what is considered "too long"?

If I know that I'm going to turn left a few blocks ahead, can I stay in left lane or do I have to change lanes back and forth?

In-game there's no problem - no fines there - but I'm curious about the real world for the game role-playing part and for some realism.

I've seen news articles about people getting a ticket for impeding traffic in the left lane, but I don't know what states they were in. Here in Oregon, I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket for blocking the left lane.

[luZk]

I am guessing that anything that takes longer than safely passing and pulling in with adequate distance could be considered too long.

Other factors should be taken into account, like the car I was overtaking started accelerating with me forcing me to unreasonably fast to overtake, right lane was flooded with water and I feared aquaplaning ect.

[mystickneon]

Highway transportation system design in the US is rooted in overall volume of traffic, not "sorting", so with the exception of some areas, there aren't generally lane restrictions. Where there are lane restrictions such as going up hills or some "business" sections, tunnels, and bridges, trucks are still permitted to pass slower trucks on the left so long as they aren't maintaining that passing lane after executing the pass. Fortunately, this usually has minimal effect on faster traffic since an additional lane is designed into these areas on the right for trucks to use.

As others here have stated, the law is one thing, but enforcement is entirely different. Law enforcement officers don't necessarily take the time to learn some of the more arcane points of motor vehicle law(here they are issued little books with each point of law for reference), and they more than likely have something else to do that is more important than a procedural moving violation(opposed to one having a direct impact on safety). Also, many that I have spoken to recognize the maneuvering limitations of a commercial truck and give those drivers some leeway in "doing what they have to do" so long as it is not blatantly unsafe or results in an avoidable impact on other traffic that may lead to a collision.

This is in stark contrast to the European highway systems, especially ones like the Autobahn, which are highly restrictive on lane use. There are merits to both doctrines, as well as flaws.

[TW]

Some people stay in the left lane because the right lane may be so rough and bumpy it would beat you to death on a long road trip.

[Reese]

As far as real world laws go, particularly in the North-East US, Ohio to New York for example, the law on the interstates is keep right except to pass. But that law does not apply to inner-city roadways at a state level. Local jurisdictions may have added such a law, but state-wide it does not exist on local roads.

Going into Kentucky from Ohio on Interstate I-75, there's a long steep grade. The left two lanes specifically prohibit trucks. But I've never seen a truck get pulled over for being in those lanes. If they're going fast enough, troopers don't really mind.

I tend to stay in the left lane regardless in my service truck as I go 70-80mph, which is typically faster than most traffic in the right 2-3 lanes. I'll move right to let a faster vehicle pass assuming they're not riding my bumper. If they are, I'll take my time and pass a few more vehicles first. I'm already doing 15 over assuming we aren't on a 55mph stretch. I'm not obligated to go faster than 70 in a 65.

It is a limit after all, not a minimum.

[room217au]

Originally posted by Reese:

It is a limit after all, not a minimum.

oh yeah? Says you.
Race you to the next exit :)

[jeremyj621]

Originally posted by MagnusA:

I read somewhere here (forgot where) that you can be fined for driving in left lane for too long since left lane considered the fast lane for overtaking. Trucks are usually slower than cars. But what is considered "too long"?

If I know that I'm going to turn left a few blocks ahead, can I stay in left lane or do I have to change lanes back and forth?

In-game there's no problem - no fines there - but I'm curious about the real world for the game role-playing part and for some realism.

In most states it's perfectly legal to drive in the left lane on a multi-lane road, even an Interstate. I personally haven't driven in any state where it's illegal to do so, but as others have pointed out here, it may be illegal in some eastern states unless you are overtaking slower traffic. Of course, this is RL, in the game, you can legally drive in the left lane without being fined.

Now, on a two-lane highway, the game will fine you for driving too long in the left lane (the opposing lane) even if you're overtaking a long line of slower moving traffic. The funny thing is you will be fined even of there are no patrol cars around to catch you in the act.

[Ritsuka]

Originally posted by MagnusA:

I read somewhere here (forgot where) that you can be fined for driving in left lane for too long since left lane considered the fast lane for overtaking. Trucks are usually slower than cars. But what is considered "too long"?

If I know that I'm going to turn left a few blocks ahead, can I stay in left lane or do I have to change lanes back and forth?

In-game there's no problem - no fines there - but I'm curious about the real world for the game role-playing part and for some realism.

its an unenforceable law in certain states, not once have i ever seen a cop pull anyone over for being in the "fast lane" to long and its a regular everyday occurrence. https://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html

[rhuffp]

CT, MA, NJ, and probably several other states have left lane prohibition for trucks on three lane highways. In CT, trucks, buses, and cars with trailers are left lane restricted