Driving Laws from State to State

I moved to Wisconsin from Washington a few years ago, and have learned there are different rules of the road out here.

I spent the first few months highly ticked off that people would pass me on the right. I'm not even talking about a two lane highway here - people go around cars that are turning left from a one lane road, or at an intersection. If the road is one of those that are wide enough for two cars, but only has one lane, people will pass you on the right. So on and so forth.

I was informed by someone that it is legal to do this in Wisconsin. I followed up about it with a cop, and he confirmed, adding that so long as there's pavement, you're free to pass. You could even use the #### shoulder if you wanted, so long as your tires stay on the paved road. (I'm still having issues believing this though)

So okay, whatevs. I think passing on the right can be highly dangerous, but I must admit, I really like not being stuck behind someone trying to take a left.

My question is this. How different are driving laws from state to state? Can you think of a few? Have you ever gotten pulled over for doing something you thought was legal, but isn't in the state you're driving in? Example - I could see Wisconsinites passing on the right in Washington, and getting pulled over.

I would have thought the laws on how to drive would all be consistant in the US, but I guess I was wrong.

 

I never thought about it like that. I don't want to be that person either. But I also don't want to be the person trying to take the left, and having people pass me on the right. If it's on a highway, and someone glides on over to the right to pass you, it leaves the person behind the one passing to go "oh poo, there's a car!", and slam on the brakes. Although I know one should be more aware in the first, but ya'll know many people do not. I dont' know, I'll have to think about my feelings on that some more (because, you know, I'm going to lobby for a change of laws or something *snort*).

*edited to add that my reading comprehension failed, and I know realize you mentioned that the driver turning left take the risk