Driving in the middle lane of a 3 lane hwy.

One more consideration for the middle lane. One has the option of changing lanes either to the right or left in case of an accident ahead of you. Still, one has to be aware of the "rolling roadblock" mentioned above and depends on the traffic situation at that period of time. Also, rush hours have the right lane backed up due to traffic trying to exit or enter. Again this all depends on current traffic conditions, all things being equal, I stay in the right lane.

 

It depends on the situation.

This is one of my pet peeves, especially in Chicagoland. JB, Scneider, Swift, Crete, and all the mega carriers (not trying to single out the big guys here, there's just more of them) along with most steering wheel holders hogging that middle lane and obstructing traffic on I-294. Once you get far enough south or north of O'hare, there aren't a lot of exits so merging isn't an issue.

I 39/90/94 Between Portage and Madison, WI is another place where this really gets on my nerves.

On i-294, Trucks are restricted to the right two lanes most of the time, therefore its illegal to pass you on the left, and I hate to do it on the right as well. Therefore if you are in the middle lane, and traffic is backed up behind you (and not in front of you), you are obstructing traffic.

I think we all can admit almost no one does the speed limit on that road. If you're not going with the flow, your place of duty is the right lane.

 

I will say barring city traffic and slow vehicles, I will always drive as far right as possible. Who out here on the road every day has not figured out, you attract less attention in the right lanes than the left lanes? I've seen officers in time to slow down and watched them write tickets to drivers in the left lane. On at least two occasions over the years in a car, judging by my speed and closing rate on them, I would guess the car in the left lane got my ticket. My rule: keep right except to attract attention.

 

For all you middle lane hogs out here atleast do the speed limit or stay right. 2 days ago comeing out of Ma 2 trucks in the middle doing 58 to 60 mph from Springfield all the way to hartford and they never moved once and they were realy messing up the traffic flow. I see guys come on from an exit ramp and shoot across the right lane just to get to the middle lane and theres no traffic around them. Drivers can say all they want but theres no reason to sit in the middle lane. Are you that lazy to check your mirrors and change lanes once in a while. No common courtesy no more, just the i'am going to do what i want and the hell with the rest new bread of drivers out here these days. You will find me in the slow lane cruiseing along because thats the lane with the least traffic now a days.

 

Every single state has some sort of "keep right" law. Some simply state "Slower traffic keep right". Others mandate that you "Keep right except to pass". Some states allow you to drive in the middle/left lane IF you are able to maintain the posted speed limit....but even then, you are required to move to the right if faster traffic approaches from your rear so that you do not obstruct traffic.

In other words, if you are driving along in that middle lane and cannot maintain the posted speed limit due to a governor on your company truck, YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW AND CAN BE TICKETED!!!!!

If you are being passed on the right, YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW AND CAN BE TICKETED!!!!!

 

I run the right lane as much as possible. Of course there are exceptions. When lots of ramps and traffic are around, ill stay in the middle. If i see another truck who wants to get around me in my mirrors (yes, i use my mirrors), and i can get over without having to slow down a good degree, i will but im not dropping 10-15mph so you can go by me a mph of two faster. My truck is governed at 62 and i realize that. I know im the slowpoke and make an effort to let faster trucks by me. However running jerz and nyc everyday, middle lane or sometimes left lane has to be used. Also i fully agree with using common courtisy. Let the guys who haul *** get by ya. Its a shame when ive had to pass people in the LEFT lane at a whopping 62.