When Will The Government Address The "Epidemic" Of Left Lane Banditry?

Government officials like Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood spend much of their time justifying their positions by tilting at national windmills like the “epidemic” of distracted driving, generally with relatively modest results. And yet, despite the massive increase in mobile device use over the last decades or so, on-road deaths per vehicle mile traveled are at an all-time low. So here’s a new “epidemic” for Secretary LaHood: lane discipline. Every time I take to the freeway, I’m absolutely shocked by the number of people driving at or below the speed limit in the left lane, and the number of people who stay in the fastlane even when there’s nobody to pass. And I don’t have to rely on anecdotal evidence to know lane discipline is a problem in America (or, at least in the Pacific Northwest). According to the PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll,

43 percent of Washington drivers don’t know that impeding the flow of traffic in the left lane is against the law.

To which I say “bullshit.” Not only is it illegal to impede left lane traffic in Washington (and Oregon, where I live), but the freeways in both states have regular “keep right except to pass” signs, so the ignorance defense doesn’t really apply. People simply don’t care about maintaining lane discipline, and ignore any sign that urges them to do so. Clearly signage and the National Motorist’s Association’s Lane Courtesy Awareness Month aren’t doing the trick… and neither does giving the finger.

PEMCO’s presser continues:

PEMCO found that when faced with the prospect of a slow-moving vehicle in front of them, almost a quarter of respondents say that flashing their vehicle’s headlights is the most effective way to encourage left-lane violators to change lanes.

When the roles are reversed, one-third of drivers agree that flashing headlights or tailgating would be the most likely way to encourage them to change lanes.

About a quarter of respondents agree that the least effective method is for other drivers to use hand gestures, and younger drivers find it particularly ineffective to tap on a car’s horn – 23 percent of younger drivers chose horn-honking as the least effective method compared to 13 percent of those 35 and older.

With every civilized response to the menace of left lane banditry leaving fans of lane discipline disappointed, I’m beginning to think that the “Click It Or Ticket”-style campaign strategy that had limited success win addressing distracted driving might just make a difference with this problem. Motorists don’t simply need to be reminded that a law exists, they need to know why it exists (one left lane bandit can create huge traffic jams, wasting time, energy and pollution) and that it will be inflexibly enforced. And not only are there “green” reasons for supporting a lane discipline campaign, the more aware we make drivers aware of the fact that they are sharing the road, the more engaged with their driving and therefore safe they should be. Secretary LaHood, it’s time to take up this noble battle!