[Jetta_1.8Tip]

My friend just told me that he saw a news special on the IL law concerning driving in the left lane and passing on the right .
I've known that WI was known for enforcing this once in a while but never in IL. He told me the IL state police said it has always been the law here but never correctly enforced. I guess they want us to stay out of the left lane unless passing then get back to the middle or right. Supposedly they are going to start "strongly" enforcing this along with no passing to the right of anyone. A comment was made about being more flexible during rush hours.
Anyone know any more about this?

 

[Jetta_1.8Tip]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (Jetta_1.8Tip)

Looks to be a new law it seems and with a different twist than WI and other states. The way I heard it was different but this is better I suppose.

Quote, originally posted by Chicago Tribune »

Left-lane slowpokes face tougher time under new Illinois law By Rick Popely Tribune staff reporter Published January 4, 2004 Drivers who think they own the left lane on expressways and interstate highways will have to move over for faster traffic or risk a $75 fine under a new Illinois law that took effect Jan. 1. The law, one of several new measures affecting Illinois drivers, prohibits motorists from running in the left lane on limited-access highways for more than half a mile if they are holding up traffic. State Rep. John Millner (R-Carol Stream), who introduced the legislation in the General Assembly, says the law is designed to get slowpokes out of the left lane, where they block faster traffic and encourage other drivers to tailgate and pass on the right. "So many accidents are due to people staying in the left lane and blocking traffic. That leads to road rage and people whipping around them to pass on the right," said Millner, a former Elmhurst police chief. Highway signs have advised motorists for decades to stay right except to pass, but Millner says too many drivers ignore the warning and disrupt traffic flow. Some drivers set their cruise control at 55 m.p.h. and try to enforce the speed limit by staying in the left lane. Millner says that creates a ripple effect, forcing other drivers to hit the brakes and change lanes. "It's not their job to enforce the law," he said. "Their speedometer might say they're doing 55 m.p.h., but how do they know? They may actually be going slower." Master Sgt. Rick Hector, an Illinois State Police spokesman, says the law could curb some of the anger on expressways caused by slow drivers hogging the left lane. "For years in our defensive driving course we've been teaching that the left lane should only be used for passing," Hector said. "If you go out driving, it's easy to tell when there is someone who gets out there [in the left lane] and just doesn't move over. The intent of this law is to prevent the road rage incidents that happen as a result of that." The law doesn't apply when there isn't another vehicle directly behind one in the left lane, when traffic is congested, inclement weather makes it necessary to ride in the left lane, an exit is on the left side of the road or at tollway plazas and in construction zones. "The bottom line is that you can drive in the left lane all day long until somebody wants to pass you. Then you have to move over," Millner said. He dismisses suggestions that the new law will encourage speeding. "People are speeding already, and they'll keep speeding, and police will continue issuing tickets to speeders," he said. "If they're blocking traffic, this will encourage them to use a little courtesy and common sense." Hector adds: "By no means does this law make it easier for those who want to fly out there. We will be placing a priority on [speeding] enforcement."

Modified by Jetta_1.8Tip at 2:20 AM 1-7-2004

 

[OstTrefftWest]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (Jetta_1.8Tip)

Let's hope the "drive right, pass left" trend ripples into Indiana. Props to WI and IL for taking it seriously!!! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[dkrutewicz]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (OstTrefftWest)

This has been a long-sought after law, and it's been enforced in other parts of the world for decades. Accidents are caused more often by people riding in the left lane as all of us speeders get impatient and go around on the right (another offense in many places.)
On that nasty, boring I-55 corrider between here and Chicago, I cannot tell how many times we've been stuck behind cars riding in the left lane.

Now if only they can ban trucks from using the left lane as well. Ahh...we'd be just like Europe.

 

[OstTrefftWest]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (dkrutewicz)

Quote, originally posted by dkrutewicz »

This has been a long-sought after law, and it's been enforced in other parts of the world for decades. Accidents are caused more often by people riding in the left lane as all of us speeders get impatient and go around on the right (another offense in many places.)

Amen! It literally makes me physically uncomfortable to be a passenger in a car that's sitting in the left lane -- even if there's no one else around who's getting blocked. If the masses would just realize that Euro lane discipline would make life far easier and safer for all drivers....

 

[Adam20v]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (OstTrefftWest)

I think the left lane rule is a good rule...however it's just another excuse to be pulled over.
During the caravan to waterfest, we had about 50-60 cars. We were cruising through PA at a good clip in the left lane. I mean there was no reason to move over to the right lane if we are passing everyone anyways right? Well the police pulled over a portion of the caravan and let them know they would be ticketed for driving in the left lane. It just seems ridiculous that we were passing EVERYONE. They could have said something about the speed...but rather us riding in the left lane actually passing.

 

[revo 3vom]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (Adam20v)

yah that was funny i was at the front for that one and i remember the exact spot that the cop tried to get everyone to pull over and i was like noooooooooooo keep goign keep going. and then sara just pulled over

waterfest was the shcccetttt. on another note i have been enforcing that rule for years. damn people in the left lane get the brights flashed if they don't move they get the brights held on their betch aCES. i hate passing on the right. but sometimes is neccesary. well anyway in europe you drive in the left pass on the right.

 

[4RCDVR]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (revo 3vom)

Quote, originally posted by revo 3vom »

well anyway in europe you drive in the left pass on the right.

Well, in England but not in the rest of Europe. On the Autobahn they get really pissed if you pass on the right. Was in Germany and was late getting to the airport coming home and pasted a whole string of cars in the right lane, then had some old guy in a benz tailing me, honking and flashing his brights. Would have loved to know what he said when he passed me

Modified by 4RCDVR at 4:56 PM 1-7-2004

 

[dkrutewicz]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (4RCDVR)

It is actually illegal to pass in the right lane in Germany and most of Europe. Not only is it a finable offense, but if someone hits you merging back into the right lane, it is your fault.

 

[kaljer]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (dkrutewicz)

Quote, originally posted by dkrutewicz »

It is actually illegal to pass in the right lane in Germany and most of Europe. Not only is it a finable offense, but if someone hits you merging back into the right lane, it is your fault.

Yep, he's right, its the cardinal sin.

 

[BonTechnik]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (Jetta_1.8Tip)

I drive on !-90 and 94 six days a week and the I've seen that the left lane law is anything but enforced in WI. Troopers are more concerned about speeding drivers than soccer moms in their 20000 lbs suv going 55 on the left lane. It makes me so angry

I hope this changes soon.... http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[revo 3vom]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (pacobonnin)

weird i heard it was the law to pass on the right

 

[gryph]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (revo 3vom)

Quote, originally posted by revo 3vom »

weird i heard it was the law to pass on the right

Eh. Not completely suprising. Half the US thinks all of Europe drives on the left side of the road (and not just the UK).
Nice to hear about someone (even if they are two states away) enforcing good driving habits. The highway I drive to work on has an exit about every three quarters to half mile for quite a ways, so a lot of drivers will stick and stay in the left lane just to avoid the merge traffic. It wouldn't be so bad if they weren't all driving five under the limit. It's really frustrating to be late for work on that stretch of road.

 

[spookygeek]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (gryph)

i go to college in the midwest, and i found your solution. Move to Atlanta. I have to relearn how to drive everytime i go back home to the ATL for the holidays. Average speed in illinois is about 10 over i've found, in atlanta, its posted 55, and 70 is the soccer moms. i'd say the fast lane pulls anywhere from 80-90 easy. Well that is if your not stuck in traffic.
-Brent

 

[revo 3vom]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (spookygeek)

my cruising speed is 80-90 that probably explains the speeding tickets iy yi yi

 

[ButchHusky]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (pacobonnin)

Quote, originally posted by pacobonnin »

I drive on !-90 and 94 six days a week and the I've seen that the left lane law is anything but enforced in WI. Troopers are more concerned about speeding drivers than soccer moms in their 20000 lbs suv going 55 on the left lane. It makes me so angry I hope this changes soon.... http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

Ditto! Hey, if you want to go the same speed as the guy *right* next to you, why don't you get in the right lane, mmm kay?
Brian


Modified by ButchHusky at 5:19 PM 1-9-2004

 

[Mechorg]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (revo 3vom)

I'm glad to hear that IL is cracking down on this law. Sure, its a law in WI, but like mentioned before, hardly ever enforced. As I drive for a living, I've long been winded on the completely incompetent and jerk-off drivers on our nations highways.
I drive truck in WI, over 1000mi per week on the same highways and country roads. Sure, some of you think tailing and flashing your lights will get people to move over for your greatness, but that causes just as much of a problem. If you read into what the police guy said in the article, they think enforcing this law will ease highway agression and prevent accidents...accidents caused my asshats following too close to the asshats riding in the left lane. Theory is, get rid of the people coasting in the fast lane, make room for speeders to do what they do, pick them off for speeding.
The solution is this, unless you are actually on a deadline to get somewhere (which if you are late, its your own damn fault, be late), drive SAFELY and be courtious to other drivers.
I've narrowlly missed just as many people cutting in front of my truck that weights many times your cute little VWs weight as I have snails and grannys that hit the brakes on the highway for no apparent reason.
Another warning, be nice to truck drivers, you don't want to piss them off! They are professional drivers, and get paid to be on the road, you asshats on the road are just like that granny at McDonalds counting pennies from the bottom of her purse to pay for a dollar menu item to them. The only difference is you can't jump over the counter and strangle her, you have a 35ton truck that is just as intimidating a foot from your rear bumper.
....I told myself I wasn't going to let this rant get out of hand...dammit...look what you made me do!

Drive safe, watch for cops, respect the dubbers and truckers

 

[Mechorg]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (Mechorg)

And for anyone that cares to debunk stereotypes, I'm not a mid-40s hick from Arkansas with a gut to set my porno on while I drive listening to ZZ Top. I'm a 23 year old kid taking a 'recess' from college, going out to clubs and drinking with friends on the weekends. I drive just as fast as some others, just more cautions because losing my license loses me my job. (I made it from Knoxville to Chicago in 8 hours this fall

)

 

[brendo]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (Mechorg)

I respect truckers usually because ,as you point out, they are the pros. I used to consider myself a professional driver after delivering pizzas for 5 years. Truckers also have been the discourteous ones from time to time, hanging out in the left lane, playing "magnetic driver" with the car/truck next to them. Usually it is the smaller trucks though - the local delivery guys from Verlo or Gardener's Bakery, etc.
The cops here already can issue tickets for cars holding up traffic in the passing lane - it is ticketed as "impeding traffic" Unfortunately they never do...

 

[Mechorg]

Re: Left lane hwy usage in IL, cracking down? (brendo)

Quote, originally posted by Ralph Wiggum »

"Mrs. Hoover, there's a dog in the vent."

hehe
"Magnetic Driver" which you call it, funny, is actually what happens with inexperienced drivers. If you know anything about aerodynamics, the trailor of the truck works like an airplane wing. When a car/truck gets next to the truck and disrupts the airflow, it creates drag on that side of the truck dragging it closer. Guys that have been driving for a while, even if they notice the vehicle approaching before it gets beside the truck, will anticipate the pull and countersteer. If you see two trucks drive past each other, you can notice the force pulling them together.
And yes, there are jerk-off truck drivers, too. I can be one of them if I'm having a bad day, but not nearly as bad as some. I can blame a trucker for me getting a speeding ticket on Xmas for trying to kill me. Long story.
...I need to find something better to do besides sit on the 'tex all day...sleep...mmmmmm