Driving in the middle lane of a 3 lane hwy.

I know after twelve yrs of driving you just dont ride the middle lane for the heck of it. If you arn't passing someone and the right lane is clear I'm sure you would do the right thing.

 

That's why I do it. If I am in city traffic I run the middle lane (my truck runs 75 topped out) but if I am in the middle of nowhere I just hang out in the slow lane and cruise.

I have had several people start to merge, see a big truck, freak out and slam on the brake halfway in the lane causing me to have to yank and pray to keep from creaming them. That's why I just don't even bother with the slow lane anymore unless I am out in the middle of nowhere.

 

Oh hurray, a pet peeve of mine

Short answer - RIGHT LANE, unless you're PASSING.

Long answer - It depends. There are a ton of variables to consider. It's one thing in traffic and you'd like to stay out of the merge. It's entirely another if there's volume but it's moving fast, and you're governed down at or below posted limits.
It is not your responsibility to regulate others travel speeds even if they are exceeding the limit. It -is- your responsibility to follow sensible traffic protocol, such as "keep right except to pass". It is also your responsibility to minimise danger to yourself and others, by not punting idiot merging 4-wheelers into a bridge abutment.

I drive a governed truck that won't exceed 65 without a hefty tailwind or steep grade, so I stay right unless one of the following conditions applies:
1. I am passing someone significantly slower (more than 3-4 mph slower)
2. I am making room for merging traffic
3. I am heading for a left exit

 

My Truck is Gov. at 72, So Sometimes It is just the Middle lane because of the ones Gov. at 65. Right lane for the most part though

 

It's all about fuel economy , isn't it ? If I'm in the center lane doing the speed limit and see a Schnider , J.B. , or Swift within sight in the right lane ahead I'm staying in the center rather than move to the right and be blocked by traffic in the center lane when I catch up to Swift and have to turn my cruise off then accelerate around them when the center lane is clear .
Yes , I get better mileage doing 68 m.p.h. than Schneider does doing 62 . When my truck is at its sweet spot of 1400 -1500 rpm's my speed is 66 -70 m.p.h. . When the mega carriers spec'd their trucks to be governed 65 -68 m.p.h. a couple of years ago their sweet spot had to be at that speed . I'm not convinced they get better mileage when turned back to 60 -62 m.p.h. .

 

I didn't know that Schneider published their average mpg.

 

I drove an 85' super tanker loaded with gasoline in the city of Las Vegas NV for many years. I always stayed in the middle lane and stayed to the speed limit. In the city there's just too many changing situations. I have my comfort zone and will adjust my speed accordingly. If I start to become a blockage then I will move over to the right lane. But that rarely happens since everyone is lane changing and the blockage goes away. Now once I'm out of the city or where there's no more on ramps every 1/2 mile or so I will move over to the right lane.

The trucks I drove were all governed and I think they should be for the line of work I was in. People say let it be up to the driver if he wants to speed or not but they are not considering the liability the company has. We had what the public calls "Deep Pockets" and if there was an accident due to speeding the company gets sued too. And believe it or not people will look at the accident and say I will never buy their gasoline anymore. So it hurts the company more than the driver and the way I look at it it's their truck and they are paying me good money to drive it the way they want me to.

 

I run the 2nd lane for the most part; but do use the shiny things on the side of my truck called mirrors to see if I'm holding anyone back and move over if so needed. With that said here is a quick self check 4 point list to tell if you're in the wrong lane.
1) Am I doing speed limit or less?
2) Am I being passed on the right by other trucks?
3) Is there a line of trucks behind me with nobody in front of me?
4) Is the right lane clear?
If you answer yes to any or all of these then YOU ARE IN THE WRONG LANE!!! Move over or speed up, I'm not asking you to break any laws just get over so I can if I wish to do so.

P.S. I have driven tankers as well and know the issues with them and respect those that drive them; but please let others pass.

 

Yes but only in major cities where there is going to be a decent amount of traffic merging onto and off of the interstate. You're cruising down the road doing between 60-65 (in most cases), you want the lane that is going to make your job easier, not harder. How easy is it going to be having to constantly watch and adjust your speed for people while running in the right lane, trying to allow for people merging onto the interstate, having to figure out your best option when this line of cars come up onto the interstate. 4-wheelers in that city are used to having to weave around slower moving vehicles.

Make your job easier, not harder! Run the center lane in major cities. People can still get around you in 2 other lanes. Once you're out of the metro area and traffic seems to be dwindling, then move back to the right lane.

 

sequoia is right---go with the flow--dont fight it--the middle lane is the path of least resistance