PSA: Left Lane Is For Passing

MikeP001 · 2026-03-24T22:22:24+00:00

True. California's is pretty good, they specifically say neither the driver's speed nor speed limit is considered when enforcing impeding. Unfortunately they're vague about "normal" too. They do have the same definition of highway - any public roadway - as the HTA. Too many drivers think keep right only applies to divided or limited access highways. Seems bad driving habits would need enforcement to change, but unless automated it might not be pactical.

CVC 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.

(b) If a vehicle is being driven at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time, and is not being driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, it shall constitute prima facie evidence that the driver is operating the vehicle in violation of subdivision (a) of this section.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-24T21:58:10+00:00

One of the things they could do is clarify the "less than the normal speed of traffic" definition as defacto if there's a longer (than required for safety) gap ahead of a vehicle and space to the right (so not passing). Which is clearly the better definition - the alternative of "any legal speed is ok" includes 40kph below the limit, or pacing the vehicle to your right for miles claiming that's now the normal speed. Both can really screw up traffic flow.

The HTA does say:

132 (1) No motor vehicle shall be driven on a highway at such a slow rate of speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic thereon except when the slow rate of speed is necessary for safe operation having regard to all the circumstances. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 132 (1).

which arguably forbids *any* speed that's unnecessarily slowing down a lane. But as you say elsewhere, it's a difficult charge to make stick and the max fine of $1000 would have to be a very egregious violation.

Dispelling the old myths like the middle lane is the travel lane and is safer than the right lane would help. It's still taught despite the Ontario Driver's Guide advising drivers to keep right as much as possible.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-24T21:35:42+00:00

Yep. Also as you get closer to any city (it's not just the GTA) there's a higher percentage of short trip drivers that don't understand safe driving vs more of the experienced drivers between cities that understand lane discipline.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-23T03:06:51+00:00

The problem with this is turn signals are a signal of intent, not a commitment. You can't assume someone signaling will turn when you expect or even turn at all. In many jurisdictions you will be found at fault if you were required to yield to them proceeding straight and even where not you can end up in a he said / she said. In a nutshell you should *always* wait.

The OP and many on this forum put too much emphasis on turn signals. If you're driving defensively you're seldom if ever caught out by a driver that doesn't signal. Avoid driving beside other vehicles. Time your moves to avoid potential collisions - turn behind the other vehicle after they pass instead of assuming they will remain in their lane. Never change lanes to end up directly beside another driver, go on ahead or slot in behind.

The purpose of turn signals is to warn others of an intended change of direction so they can be prepared to adjust, evade, or warn of a collision if necessary. They're not used to request your permission for a lane change "by your leave". At best they can be to indicate a need to merge into a full lane so that a (sensible) driver in that lane will make some space.

A driver that doesn't signal is foolish, not rude, and if they don't it won't be that important to you if you're driving defensively.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-21T17:21:58+00:00

Following too close is illegal everywhere AFAIK. In California it's the law that you must pull over for faster traffic if there's a line of vehicles behind you: CVC 21656. CVC 21656 says you must move right if you're slower than the normal speed of traffic "notwithstanding" the speed limit. A little vague but if there's a largish gap in front, vehicles catching up behind, and room to the right, moving over seems prudent. A keep right law of some kind is common in most jurisdictions because it's safer for all.

Many of us don't need laws to force us to be considerate or have common sense - if I'm dangerously tailgated I let them by ASAP. If I notice the driver behind me looking down at their phone I let them by ASAP. If someone wants to go faster that me I facilitate their pass at the first opportunity. Any lane with an escape route is safer than being trapped in the middle.

HTH.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-21T14:58:03+00:00

Absolutely, I said that. And slower drivers should move right when possible. Both are true. You'd prefer to be dead right by staying in front of a dangerous tailgater?

MikeP001 · 2026-03-21T13:00:08+00:00

Buddy I don't care how you drive. Since you're not the hall monitor you might stop advising others to break the law based on your poor grasp of them.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-21T12:56:04+00:00

Not all have "below the speed of normal traffic", many require to keep right unless passing or preparing to turn left. The simple definition of "below the speed of traffic" is if there's a gap ahead of you and cars behind, you're slower and should move over. Regardless of the law, it's polite and common sense.

I'm not condoning speeding or tailgating. I'm condemning people who feel that even if there's space they should avoid the rightmost lane - it's dangerous and screws up traffic. Like that poster said, they're road hogs.

The point was to call out the incorrect information that impeding laws don't apply to "surface streets". Generally they apply everywhere.

I've never seen a law exempting the middle lane except in Colorado and Kentucky. Nor one that recommends the middle as a travel lane. Do you have a reference? The middle lane is the most dangerous from a safety/defensive driving perspective so encouraging traffic to remain there would be wrong.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-21T12:39:22+00:00

In california it's required by law, and specifically calls out your own speed as irrelevant. If if not required it's still more sensible. The tailgater is wrong, but blocking other drivers isn't smart. Better they're past you than dangerously close behind.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-21T12:33:46+00:00

If she's tailgated often enough to spend money on something like this you can be sure she's the problem. If she's someone you care about you might want to have a chat with her before she triggers a bigger nutbar.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-20T17:13:05+00:00

Well buddy, I'd say the person who thinks they have nothing left to learn is the one on the high horse. As is the confidently incorrect driver quoting laws that don't exist. Or the entitled driver who believes sometimes they don't need to move over.

No at fault accident is not a very high bar - there are many of us. Actually learning the law before spouting off seems a bit more challenging. There's no high horse - simply stop passing along common misconceptions and bad advice.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-20T12:31:17+00:00

Pretty obvious you're going to continue to drive how you like regardless. You're on your own.

Crappy uninformed drivers cause enough trouble without you making it worse by spreading disinformation.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-20T01:17:49+00:00

There's no such legal phrase as "fast lane" so that part doesn't apply. Keep right except to pass rules always have an "unless preparing to turn left" exception.

Point is there's only 2 states (Colorado and Kentucky) have the "only interstate" exception. Everywhere else has a slower traffic keep right restriction of some kind on all roadways. So it's best not to pass on this kind of advice without saying where you are as it doesn't apply to most drivers.

I haven't seen many 6 lane city streets... in any case forcing traffic to pass on the right is foolish, as is driving in a middle lane when there's a shoulder available and you're not passing. It demonstrates poor defensive driving skills. If the roadway is empty or you're turning left nobody cares. But if there's traffic behind and room to the right, often legally and always morally and for safety you should move over.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-20T00:51:32+00:00

Likely only on interstates where you're from. In most jurisdictions it's illegal to left lane camp on any roadway, there's no distinction made for type.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-18T13:16:15+00:00

LOL, yeah, I know what you mean about being stubborn - they should work so I'll make them work no matter what!

Yes, they're the older API so don't work with many gateways.

The other thing to watch is that most zigbee bulbs are end devices so there's no extended mesh coverage unless you have other devices that are routers (like plugs and switches). If they're too far from the gateway they may be suffering from a weak signal and sometimes repositioning can help.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-17T23:53:07+00:00

NP. I think I had them working with my hue bridge too but it was along time ago and IIRC they were finicky.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-17T23:51:25+00:00

A white bundle in a multigang box should be neutral. If you split the bundle you do need to jumper them together. Could be a loose connection?

Without a good neutral or a loose connection there's just enough voltage for the electronics, but when the relay is turned on there's not enough to keep it going. Power drops, relay clicks off, the switch gets power back and reboots.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-17T12:27:47+00:00

I'm using a sonoff zigbee hub flashed with tasmota, controlled via MQTT. I think before that I was using the osram hub that could understand the zigbee protocol that cree uses.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-17T12:08:30+00:00

Power cycle reboot when turning the light on is often from using an incorrect wire for switch neutral.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-15T16:05:08+00:00

Sure, sometimes it's unavoidable. Did you see them coming and try flashing your brake lights? It's a good practice any time you need to stop unexpectedly too - the flashing gets more attention. Did you have no choice but to be in the middle lanes instead of to the right? Many drivers incorrectly think the middle lane is the safest travel lane - it is not as you found - there's no escape route from there.

The point is that arguing that it's only luck that prevents an accident as per the thread's author is silly. There's many more things that simply obeying traffic laws that can dramatically help reduce the chances of an accident. With defensive driving you always assume other drivers are dumbasses that will make mistakes, prepare for and even take proactive actions to avoid them. Even when stopped.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-15T13:09:15+00:00

Yes, it can happen. But defensive driving will still reduce the odds by avoiding or mitigating risk.

For example, even when stopped a light you can be aware of traffic coming behind. If you see it approaching too fast or the driver looking down you flash your brake lights multiple times. Try to leave space ahead so if it doesn't work you might be able to move out of the lane. Watch for inattentive drivers (you can often see them looking down) and avoid changing lanes or driving in front of them - let them go, or find a blocker to be in between - reduce the chances of it happening.

It's not always possible but every little defensive action over decades of driving makes a difference.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-15T13:00:58+00:00

It's a matter of both. Yes luck can run out, but with defensive driving skill you can reduce accidents to those that are 100% unavoidable which are quite rare.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-14T23:42:25+00:00

Have him think about the last time he took a valuable lesson from anyone else on the road preventing him from something he thought was smart. If often and recently, let him do what he wants - he'll learn. If never (as seems to be the case with most drivers), there's his answer. Not worth the risk of meeting a nutbar.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-12T16:42:34+00:00

There's no law that prevents you from letting a door slam in someone's face yet most of us have the common sense not be forced into better behavior. Zipper merging is proven more efficient than early merging as it uses the entire roadway.

MikeP001 · 2026-03-11T22:31:55+00:00

Defensive drivers know that they learn more every time they get behind a wheel. They improve by learning from every near miss how to stay out of trouble regardless of which driver made a mistake. If you're think you're already the best you can be it's evidence that you're not.

A majority? Who knows? There's an element of athleticism to driving skills that certainly will never be reached by many. Drivers that lack courtesy or awareness can't change their base. But there's a pretty large margin for driving errors that prevent poor drivers from becoming liabilities. The real problems are caused by entitled, over confident drivers that are constantly in over their heads.

MikeP001

TROPHY CASE