"driving" in the left lane. YES it's illegal.

Ralph Cramden wrote:

Seems fairly clear.
“on California roadways with multiple lanes traveling in the same direction a vehicle shall be driven in the lane closest to the right side of the roadway. This lane is typically referred to as the slow lane or #2 lane. Vehicles driving in the left lane (#1 lane or commonly referred to as the fast lane) should be either be overtaking, passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or be preparing to complete a left turn.”

Let the spinning commence.

No "spin" required, just facts. Your quote (which came directly from the Sacramento Bee artice) is wrong; That is NOT what the California Vehicle Code Section 21654 says (the red flags are "typically referred to", "commonly referred to", and "should be"... California Vehicle code is nothing if not specific, and never uses terms like that). HERE is what it actually says:

21654. (a) Notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits, any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

I have underlined the pertinent part that specifically refers to impeding traffic. In other words, if I am NOT traveling at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic, I can drive in the left lane all day long. It is NOT illegal (in California). Which is exactly what my initial post was about:

bikendan wrote:

4x4van wrote:

hornet28 wrote:

I wonder how many of you who advocate staying in the left lane learned to drive without being instructed that the left lane was for passing not for driving miles on end when the right lane was open. It's nothing new that it's illegal. It was that way when I started driving back in 1960. Do you just disregard the few signs stating "left lane passing only"

Or maybe they grew up and learned to drive in a state that it is NOT illegal. Amazing how many of you think that the laws in your state apply nationwide.:S

It's the law in California, where you're from

hornet28’s claim is what I was responding to. No, it is NOT the law in California, nor has it ever been. Driving in the left lane is perfectly legal; impeding traffic is not.

IMHO, the states that have passed the “no left lane unless passing” laws are simply taking an easy way out. It SHOULD be illegal to impede traffic (and likely already IS in those states), and if that's what you are doing, I agree that you ARE an a-hole. And yes, there are plenty of them on the roads. But I don’t understand why so many of you are perfectly OK with being forced into a rougher, more heavily congested lane if it is not necessary and if you are not impeding traffic.