tduby1
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Post by tduby1 on Apr 25, 2016 13:02:41 GMT
It's a moronic law. The lane is there. USE IT. There is no reason to waste a perfectly good lane on "passing only". I'd be pissed and I would drive the two hours to fight the damn thing just on principle that the law is stupid and slows traffic. I'm surprised that there are people who actually think the law is a good idea. I've never heard of anyone actually using the left lane for passing only. Why bother having the lane if that's all it's for? Gridlock is bad enough, let's not make it worse by taking a lane out for stupid things like passing only. The law isn't there for places and times where there is gridlock and heavy traffic. It's there for open freeway driving where traffic is moving at or above posted speeds. I am probably sounding like a broken record... isn't traffic moving *above* posted speeds breaking the law as well? I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around a law designed to penalize people driving the speed limit-- and thus causing them to be labeled as the ones "breaking the law" for the convenience of the people breaking the law to begin with. I am not trying to be oppositional, but I have never gotten this. |
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tduby1
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Post by tduby1 on Apr 25, 2016 13:09:41 GMT
She noticed the motorcycle. She didn't know it was a police officer, is what she said. They are not common in our part of the state, if they even exist. I have never seen one and don't know if I would recognize one.
I have definitely seen police officers on motorcycles on SW Michigan highways. I don't think it's unusual. Either way, if she saw the motorcycle tailing her (cop or not) and choose not to move right, she was deliberately impeding traffic. If she didn't see it, she was being inattentive. Both situations are problematic. I never said it was unusual on the SW side of the state. Read the bolded part of my comment. I have no idea if it is common in SW Michigan or not or not since I don't live there. I never even implied it was unusual there. I said it was unusual where we (Cindy and I) live.
I don't remember if you were the OP I was responding to but I was responding to an assertion she should have recognized it was a cop, I was explaining why she may not have. I made no other comments as to her driving at the time.
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Post by anxiousmom on Apr 25, 2016 13:12:41 GMT
This thread had me googling what the deal is in Florida. I briefly noticed an article in the paper that had something to do with the rule about using the left lane for passing only but didn't read it because I kind of remember that was what the deal was and beyond briefly wondering why that warranted an article in the paper I moved on. Apparently a new law was passed here about two years ago that tightened up on using the left lane for passing only. The article in the paper was an attempt to remind people of the new rule and a new push in enforcement. From what I could see, in February and March there were articles in most of the big papers in the state to make sure everyone was aware of what is going on. I guess that means I am going to be more aware of what lane I am driving in from now on.  |
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Post by mari on Apr 25, 2016 13:21:18 GMT
I have definitely seen police officers on motorcycles on SW Michigan highways. I don't think it's unusual. Either way, if she saw the motorcycle tailing her (cop or not) and choose not to move right, she was deliberately impeding traffic. If she didn't see it, she was being inattentive. Both situations are problematic. I never said it was unusual on the SW side of the state. Read the bolded part of my comment. I have no idea if it is common in SW Michigan or not or not since I don't live there. I never even implied it was unusual there. I said it was unusual where we (Cindy and I) live.
I don't remember if you were the OP I was responding to but I was responding to an assertion she should have recognized it was a cop, I was explaining why she may not have. I made no other comments as to her driving at the time.
She was ticketed in Grand Rapids. Which is in South West Michigan. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 13:21:55 GMT
I live in SW MI, not near Grand Rapids though. I know there are at least two police motorcycles for my city. I have never seen one of them on the highway. However, I do not use the highway much. That doesn't mean they're not out there.
New signs have been going up along I-94 that says "keep right except to pass." Unless you truly pay attention to everything, those signs can be missed. DH got yelled at by me when he entered a school zone with the light flashing going the regular speed limit. He didn't even notice the flashing light and he was not on his phone or anything. The man develops tunnel vision when driving. Thank goodness he never uses the left lane except to pass. I've been on him to look at the signs more often.
I've said before, I know of the law. I don't really care for it but I do my best to obey it. There are stretches of I-94 where you don't have a choice but to drive in the left lane because of the amount of traffic and the left lane is consistently going faster. There are stretches where there's not a lot of traffic so you have no reason why to stay in the left lane.
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Post by Merge on Apr 25, 2016 13:25:34 GMT
The law isn't there for places and times where there is gridlock and heavy traffic. It's there for open freeway driving where traffic is moving at or above posted speeds. I am probably sounding like a broken record... isn't traffic moving *above* posted speeds breaking the law as well? I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around a law designed to penalize people driving the speed limit-- and thus causing them to be labeled as the ones "breaking the law" for the convenience of the people breaking the law to begin with. I am not trying to be oppositional, but I have never gotten this. I look at it this way: it is my job to obey the law. It is not my job to police others by not letting them pass me because they're going too fast. There are plenty of times when someone in the right lane is going below the speed limit and you don't have to speed to pass them; that's why the law is in place. If I am passing someone in the left lane and going at or above the posted speed, and someone behind me is going faster, I move back over to the right when it is safe to do so (when I've passed the slower moving traffic, usually). If there is a cop over the next hill, I'm quite happy to let the faster person speed ahead and get the ticket instead of me.  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 13:31:34 GMT
Be glad you don't live in NC, where they were giving out tickets for being ONE mile over the speed limit a couple of weeks back. Sorry you got a ticket OP. I too have a perfect driving record and hope to keep mine. It's tough when you're going through a new place and aren't familiar with the laws in that area.
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MorningPerson
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Post by MorningPerson on Apr 25, 2016 13:37:13 GMT
If I blatantly broke the law, that's one thing. I didn't know it was a law. 40 years of driving without a ticket?? He should have given me a warning. I've gone 55 years without robbing a bank, so I expect just a friendly warning that it is indeed against the law when I do. Are you sure you didn't mean to say that you've gone 55 years without being caught robbing a bank?  |
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Post by esperanza on Apr 25, 2016 13:46:15 GMT
Stop saying this ruined your perfect driving record. It's not perfect. You've just never been caught. You've been breaking the law for years.
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tduby1
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Post by tduby1 on Apr 25, 2016 13:46:40 GMT
I never said it was unusual on the SW side of the state. Read the bolded part of my comment. I have no idea if it is common in SW Michigan or not or not since I don't live there. I never even implied it was unusual there. I said it was unusual where we (Cindy and I) live.
I don't remember if you were the OP I was responding to but I was responding to an assertion she should have recognized it was a cop, I was explaining why she may not have. I made no other comments as to her driving at the time.
She was ticketed in Grand Rapids. Which is in South West Michigan. She is not FROM Grand Rapids, though. The area she is from DOES NOT have motorcycle patrols, hence why she may not have recognized it. I was commenting on the the assumption she should have recognized the cycle as belonging to a police officer. |
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Post by Merge on Apr 25, 2016 13:47:26 GMT
Gridlock is when traffic is not flowing through intersecting streets with stoplights, for example in a downtown area. The term doesn't apply to freeways. The pass on the left law applies to highways and freeways with four or more lanes, not urban traffic. It also doesn't apply in situations where passing is not possible; for example, in heavy traffic congestion during rush hour on an urban highway. Sigh. Fine. You win. My experiences with gridlock on area highways is wrong. Happy now? What is your problem? The definition of gridlock is that it exists on streets that are laid out in a grid, and is usually caused when the traffic lights are poorly timed. Traffic congestion on a freeway is not the same thing as gridlock. As has been pointed out to you, pass on the left laws for freeways don't apply when traffic is heavy and congested. No one is going to be ticketed for sitting in the left lane when traffic is moving very slowly or is at a standstill. You are getting your panties in a wad over something that doesn't happen. |
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Post by peano on Apr 25, 2016 13:54:08 GMT
Well that went south fast. Perhaps I use the wrong choice of words. I didn't mean to sound entitled. I simply meant that based on my 40 years of a perfect driving record he could've let me off with a warning. I'm pissed that that type of a ticket ruined my driving record. I truly did not know that that law existed and I know that ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law however, it would've been nice to just have a warning. That's all. Cindy As someone without a perfect driving record--far from it--I probably get stopped once a year for speeding or not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign--here's some advice. You want a warning? Have your license, registration, insurance out, your music turned down, be your most pleasant version of yourself, when the cop asks you if you knew you were speeding, not coming to a complete stop, etc. admit you were wrong. Nine times out of 10, the cop will give you a warning. And whether you get a warning or a ticket--tell them "have a great day" when they're done. Because that is one effing stressful job and if anyone could use a little kindness, it's a cop. |
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basketdiva
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Post by basketdiva on Apr 25, 2016 13:55:25 GMT
Scrubologist.....wow. Bitchy much??? Read my post. If I blatantly broke the law, that's one thing. I didn't know it was a law. The speed limit was 70. I was going 76. I wasn't going slower than the right lane. I was going faster than the right lane. I didn't have any attitude with the officer. I was very polite as I had my 18 year old son with me. I didn't deserve it. Get a new outlook on life. Cindy As my Dad would say- ignorance of the law is no excuse. It's your responsibility to know the rules of the road. Not only were you in the wrong lane, you were speeding. You were lucky you didn't get a ticket for that also. |
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grinningcat
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Post by grinningcat on Apr 25, 2016 13:58:41 GMT
Sigh. Fine. You win. My experiences with gridlock on area highways is wrong. Happy now? What is your problem? The definition of gridlock is that it exists on streets that are laid out in a grid, and is usually caused when the traffic lights are poorly timed. Traffic congestion on a freeway is not the same thing as gridlock. As has been pointed out to you, pass on the left laws for freeways don't apply when traffic is heavy and congested. No one is going to be ticketed for sitting in the left lane when traffic is moving very slowly or is at a standstill. You are getting your panties in a wad over something that doesn't happen. Congestion vs gridlocks is merely semantics. Same word used for both situations. Again, the law should concentrate on the idiot drivers who can't go the speed limit and impede traffic, not the people who smartly use the left lane to get where they need to go. No panties in a wad, just tired of the bullshit. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 14:04:43 GMT
tduby1 some places allow for temporary speeding to overtake, particularly on two-lane roads. On a freeway in most places, you take your chances if you want to pass someone doing the speed limit. If you're also doing the speed limit, there will be no need to pass.
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Post by AN on Apr 25, 2016 14:05:27 GMT
It's a moronic law. The lane is there. USE IT. There is no reason to waste a perfectly good lane on "passing only". I'd be pissed and I would drive the two hours to fight the damn thing just on principle that the law is stupid and slows traffic. I'm surprised that there are people who actually think the law is a good idea. I've never heard of anyone actually using the left lane for passing only. Why bother having the lane if that's all it's for? Gridlock is bad enough, let's not make it worse by taking a lane out for stupid things like passing only. I remember learning about the law in drivers training but I never "understood" it. Even when people explain it here, I don't get it. Because if everyone was "obeying" the law, as Cindy is being scolded for not doing, there would be no need for it, right? So, in essence those "left lane passers" are actually breaking the law by speeding, too, right? Why is one way of breaking the law ok but the other not?
I do not drive in the left lane because of the law, but that doesn't mean I understand the law.
Lots of people on the highway drive under the speed limit (person is distracted or just a slow driver, they have something in the back of their car or truck they don't want to tip or jostle, etc), or there are variable speed limits for semis vs cars. Driving under the speed limit (often by up to 20 MPH) is legal. You could be passing in the left lane and not speeding. |
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tincin
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Post by tincin on Apr 25, 2016 14:14:59 GMT
It's a moronic law. The lane is there. USE IT. There is no reason to waste a perfectly good lane on "passing only". I'd be pissed and I would drive the two hours to fight the damn thing just on principle that the law is stupid and slows traffic. I'm surprised that there are people who actually think the law is a good idea. I've never heard of anyone actually using the left lane for passing only. Why bother having the lane if that's all it's for? Gridlock is bad enough, let's not make it worse by taking a lane out for stupid things like passing only. I remember learning about the law in drivers training but I never "understood" it. Even when people explain it here, I don't get it. Because if everyone was "obeying" the law, as Cindy is being scolded for not doing, there would be no need for it, right? So, in essence those "left lane passers" are actually breaking the law by speeding, too, right? Why is one way of breaking the law ok but the other not?
I do not drive in the left lane because of the law, but that doesn't mean I understand the law.
The traffic on expressways in MI ranges from a minimum of 55 and a maximum of 70. So if you are doing less than 70 I can legally pass you without breaking the law. Now being honest here, if you are doing less than 75 I am probably going to break the law and pass you. LOL. This is MI, speed limits are suggestions aren't they? Also you can be ticketed for impeding traffic even if you are going the maximum posted speed limit if you are preventing others from passing. My DIL was pulled over and given a warning for doing just that in Ann Arbor. She asked the officer if he was telling her she should speed and he told her not to speed but not to impede traffic. |
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freebird
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Post by freebird on Apr 25, 2016 14:20:23 GMT
sorry you got a ticket, but I'm a big supporter of this law. Get over when you can. Police yourself and not others (seriously not your jobs). If someone passes you on the right then you're moving too slow. yep, I'll pass you on the right and get right back in front of you, that's my way of telling you to get the fuck out of the way.
Also, if the left lane is "more productive in gridlock" you're actually doing it right. It means that traffic on the left is passing. If you're wanting to pass, you're in the correct lane.
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Post by mellowyellow on Apr 25, 2016 14:22:42 GMT
I'm curious how long he was following behind you? I see people do this all the time totally oblivious to their surroundings. Regardless of whether or not you knew it was a cop, when somebody is behind you move over to the right hand lane.
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uksue
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Post by uksue on Apr 25, 2016 14:26:19 GMT
I honestly don't think that having a shot across your bows like this is a bad thing. I think most of us get complacent when we have been driving for years and have never received a ticket. I received a ticket for speeding 5 years ago and it was a good opportunity for me to assess my driving and to be much more aware in future. I was lucky that due to an administrative error my ticket was never enforced so my record is still clean, however I am much more aware of speed and road signs etc now because I got a bit of a wake up call. I also went through the Highway Code thoroughly when both my oldest were learning to drive, and was surprised how many signs I didn't recognise and how some laws had changed.
OP you didn't actually cause an accident or hurt yourself or others, so I would concentrate in that positive note. You can't change what has happened but you can change your future driving habits. Be glad that there are people still willing to be LEO given how they are often treated and hated!
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uksue
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Post by uksue on Apr 25, 2016 14:29:20 GMT
With regards to the speed the OP was doing , I think a lot of people think if they are within 10% over the speed limit they won't get a ticket. They then therefore perceive the speed limit to be the limit posted, plus just under 10% on top. It's a dangerous habit in my opinion.
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JustTricia
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Post by JustTricia on Apr 25, 2016 14:39:35 GMT
I would have been sympathetic with the OP until she called the cop a Fucker. After that, I realized none of the post was going to be rational and there is no common sense to be had. You want sympathy? Don't call someone just doing their job a Fucker.
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Post by padresfan619 on Apr 25, 2016 14:40:40 GMT
If every person with a perfect driving record always got off with a warning, no one would ever receive a ticket.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 25, 2016 14:44:46 GMT
I understand the wish for a warning. I, myself, got my first ticket a few weeks ago. I was 4 over in school zone. Which sucks, but it's life.
But being a Michigan driver, I can honestly say I'm glad they are going to start enforcing this. I was taught in drivers training a million years ago that the left lane is for passing. This isn't new. No one should be driving in the left lane unless there is serious traffic. |
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Dalai Mama
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Post by Dalai Mama on Apr 25, 2016 14:48:46 GMT
Stop saying this ruined your perfect driving record. It's not perfect. You've just never been caught. You've been breaking the law for years. As she'd never been caught, her driving might not have been perfect, but her driving record was.
Legally, I think they would have a hard time making a case for the OP impeding traffic if she was actually going above the speed limit. Improper lane usage, maybe. Speeding, sure. But by arguing that she was impeding traffic, they are giving an implicit stamp of approval on speeding.
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Post by littlemama on Apr 25, 2016 14:56:39 GMT
That is actually a new thing in our state that they have just begun talking about enforcing. (I live in the same state as cindosha ). No, it is not a 'new thing' in the state of Michigan as has been pointed out several times on this thread. They *are* currently running a campaign to cut down/bring awareness to the issue. My phrasing was incorrect. The enforcing of it is the "new thing". We have never had signs like I have seen in other states that say to stay to the right unless passing. The rare signs that I have seen say for slower traffic to stay to the right, which is not the same thing. |
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Post by elaine on Apr 25, 2016 14:58:21 GMT
Stop saying this ruined your perfect driving record. It's not perfect. You've just never been caught. You've been breaking the law for years. As she'd never been caught, her driving might not have been perfect, but her driving record was.
Legally, I think they would have a hard time making a case for the OP impeding traffic if she was actually going above the speed limit. Improper lane usage, maybe. Speeding, sure. But by arguing that she was impeding traffic, they are giving an implicit stamp of approval on speeding.
I think that being followed closely by a police officer for a number of miles without switching into the right lane to let him pass would easily qualify as impeding traffic - it doesn't matter what the speed. She was in the left lane driving and didn't move over to let the motorcycle pass her, police officer or not. That it was a police officer meant getting caught. |
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Post by bc2ca on Apr 25, 2016 14:59:48 GMT
What is your problem? The definition of gridlock is that it exists on streets that are laid out in a grid, and is usually caused when the traffic lights are poorly timed. Traffic congestion on a freeway is not the same thing as gridlock. As has been pointed out to you, pass on the left laws for freeways don't apply when traffic is heavy and congested. No one is going to be ticketed for sitting in the left lane when traffic is moving very slowly or is at a standstill. You are getting your panties in a wad over something that doesn't happen. Congestion vs gridlocks is merely semantics. Same word used for both situations. Again, the law should concentrate on the idiot drivers who can't go the speed limit and impede traffic, not the people who smartly use the left lane to get where they need to go. No panties in a wad, just tired of the bullshit. Drivers who impede traffic is exactly who this law is targeting. The problem is drivers sitting in the left lane, even with their cruise control set above the posted speed limit, ignoring or oblivious to a driver coming up behind them at a faster speed. They don't seem to accept/realize they are the slower driver now and need to move right. The OP had a motorcycle come up behind her and didn't move to the right. I doubt she would have received a ticket if she had moved to the right in a reasonable amount of time. Obviously in heavy traffic all lanes will be used, but in OP's situation traffic doesn't sound like it was heavy and she was forcing any vehicles who wanted to travel faster than 76 mph to pass her on the right. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 15:03:51 GMT
I tried that once. It didn't work in my case but the officer thanked me for making him laugh harder than he ever has. I'm glad I could help make him smile! |
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tduby1
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Post by tduby1 on Apr 25, 2016 15:11:11 GMT
I remember learning about the law in drivers training but I never "understood" it. Even when people explain it here, I don't get it. Because if everyone was "obeying" the law, as Cindy is being scolded for not doing, there would be no need for it, right? So, in essence those "left lane passers" are actually breaking the law by speeding, too, right? Why is one way of breaking the law ok but the other not?
I do not drive in the left lane because of the law, but that doesn't mean I understand the law.
The traffic on expressways in MI ranges from a minimum of 55 and a maximum of 70. So if you are doing less than 70 I can legally pass you without breaking the law. Now being honest here, if you are doing less than 75 I am probably going to break the law and pass you. LOL. This is MI, speed limits are suggestions aren't they?
Also you can be ticketed for impeding traffic even if you are going the maximum posted speed limit if you are preventing others from passing. My DIL was pulled over and given a warning for doing just that in Ann Arbor. She asked the officer if he was telling her she should speed and he told her not to speed but not to impede traffic. I have heard that  I have also heard the bit that you are supposed to keep up with traffic, even if everyone is speeding. And you are correct, I guess I don't take the min into consideration but there are signs that state a min, so that would make sense. |
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I have also heard the bit that you are supposed to keep up with traffic, even if everyone is speeding. And you are correct, I guess I don't take the min into consideration but there are signs that state a min, so that would make sense.