I got my first traffic ticket yesterday.....WTF!!!

I am sorry.

I live in an area that has multi-lane freeways, and anyone and everyone drives in the left lane. I would be in trouble in an area with only two lanes in one direction because I wouldn't even think about not driving in the left lane (unless there was a car behind me).

So the left lane in your state is for passing only? What a waste of a lane! In our state, that's the fast lane and slower moving traffic needs to move to the right, but you can still drive in the lane.

Wish we had the law. DH drives in the left lane because he is going five over limit. Ticks me off, because I get the glares from people passing on the right. Not that I am perfect, but I stay in the right unless I am passing. Only time I stay in left is the two miles before I turn on my road. It is a 65 limit, and I need to turn left. Sometimes if I don't get over right away, I don't get the chance.

So Sorry, bummer on your driving record but That is pretty impressive.  I sadly lost that status years and years ago.  

My state has had that law for a long time and there is signage posted periodically on the interstate and on the on ramps about it.  usually left is the passing lane, although we do have  some places that it is used for through traffic. However I will say that I have never known anyone that has gotten a ticket for it.  I think it is to deter people from creating a bottleneck.  

I have yet to live in a state where the law isn't that slow traffic stays to the right and the left lane is for passing.  It can get very frustrating when some drivers don't get over and let faster traffic through. Although it doesn't sound like the case here, I assure you that the law serves a vital purpose, especially when traffic flow is high.  


DH has lived in states where it's illegal to pass on the right which strikes me as strange because then you have no way to get around the person who isn't getting over.

How well was the new law publicized? That seems like the kind the news should be blasting when it changed because it effects so many people. Perhaps they dropped the ball.

 As for the cop, he sounds like a jerk. But he could've been the nicest guy around and I'd still think he was a jerk if my excellent record took a hit. 

I hope your fine isn't too bad.  

And now you're gonna be paranoid every time you drive down the left lane, which sucks.

To answer the bolded question, a quick search brings up multiple news stories about this law and the campaign to educate drivers. They are blasting the news with stories like this.

It is a stupid ticket to ruin your perfect record with OP, but I can understand a LEO's frustration if they are blasting the news and someone drives by blatantly ignoring the law. Just like we all get away with speeding everyday, but if you do it in front of a state patrol you will get pulled over and ticketed no matter how clean your record is. 

Other people ignoring laws and not getting caught doesn't make what you did right and there really isn't anything for you to fight the ticket. Hopefully it isn't a really expensive lesson.

It's the law here (WA) and I wish it was enforced more. Sorry you got a ticket.

Seriously? I live in Michigan and this is the first I've heard of this law. I would think there would be more important things for Michigan police to do than pulling over left-lane drivers who aren't actually blocking traffic.

I'm sorry you were busted but I am so very pleased that the law is being enforced!! I think you are a poor driver if you drive in the left lane. My father was an over the road trucker who burned it in my head the left lane was for passing. There is greater danger passing a truck on the right due to blind spots. Remember when some cars weren't made with mirrors on the right? How can you be sure you are clear to the right. The left lane is for faster moving traffic. Pass on the left. Get out of the fast lane. I also lived in Germany for 8 years where this is a strictly enforced and in the most German sense of the way strictly obeyed. They have no problem ticketing you or flashing you until you get over.

My commute recently tripled so I'm a bit sensitive to people disobeying this law. It impedes the flow of traffic and honestly, my favorite it the person going 10 MPH below the limit just parked in the left lane. I'm so very happy you have your shit together and don't need to get to work on time or you gave yourself enough time to drive 10MPH slower. You have no idea really when you will block traffic so why do it?

Staying right except to pass has been a law here for years but people have ignored it.  Sorry you got a ticket but glad to hear they are finally going to enforce it.  I hate having to pass on the right because some fool in the left lane is going 5 under the speed limit and refuses to move to the right lane.  BTW, your insurance company will get notification of the ticket even if there are no points involved.  Seems that that is the latest move of the insurance companies here in MI to soak us for even more money.  Seems the sky high rates of being a no-fault state are just not enough anymore.

We've had this law for a long time and my dh was ticketed for it probably 10 years ago. He was riding with 3 other guys so he was convinced that the cop used that to pull him over to get a look inside the car.

I love this law...just wish more people followed it.

There's nothing more frustrating than being stuck behind a left lane driver who is pacing the right lane, not allowing left lane travelers past because they think they're going fast enough.

I travel at about 80mph and I utilize the right lane immediately after I make my passes... I think it's rude to perpetually travel in the passing lane. No matter how fast you think you're going, there's always someone in more of a hurry than you.

But by making that lane a passing lane only, doesn't that make the traffic situation worse?  Here, you are required to yield right to faster traffic.  Our traffic congestion is so bad that if that lane was closed off as a driving lane, we'd be screwed.