Driving in the Left Hand Lane

Here I am, driving along on the interstate, minding my own business, and like most folks, moving along at something over the speed limit. I'm in the right hand lane, because I know that's where you're supposed to be. As I come up to some slower traffic, I move over to the left lane to pass them and Whammo - I get stuck behind someone 'driving' in the left hand lane.

I have to tap the brakes to take the car out of cruise, and wait. And wait. Hopefully this person is going to pull back into the RH lane. Hopefully.

Why is it that folks insist on 'driving' in the left hand lane? Don't they know that the left hand lane is the passing lane? The driving lane? Yes - that's the right hand lane - that's for driving.

Go to just about any drivers manual and you'll find it there - here's a sample from the NY State manual:

"The left lane is used for passing other vehicles...

...If conditions are right for passing, check in your mirrors and signal your lane change. Before pulling into the left lane, glance briefly over your left shoulder, through the rear side window, to make sure no vehicle is passing you or close behind you in the left lane....

...When passing, move completely into the left lane. Before returning to the right lane, signal and look at your interior rearview mirror and make sure you can see the front bumper of the vehicle you just passed. Glance quickly over your right shoulder to double-check that you can see at least several feet of pavement between your vehicle and the one you passed. Then return to the right lane."

So why do people insist on 'driving' in the passing lane? Move over to the right hand lane people!