[TheDude]

I have a question, and don't shout at me, no I did not search the web for the answer.

If I am on a 2 lane road, say Hillsborough Trail and I want to turn left, or even merge, can I plan on this ahead of time and go over to the left lane early if there is no traffic on me (but traffic coming in the rear view mirror)?

What is the right way. I seem to get to the merge and go to the end, turn to see what is coming then, and then merging. If I merged earlier (when I know or see the merge) it seems safer to me.

What think?

[Polar Bear]

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[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by TheDude

I have a question, and don't shout at me, no I did not search the web for the answer.

If I am on a 2 lane road, say Hillsborough Trail and I want to turn left, or even merge, can I plan on this ahead of time and go over to the left lane early if there is no traffic on me (but traffic coming in the rear view mirror)?

What is the right way. I seem to get to the merge and go to the end, turn to see what is coming then, and then merging. If I merged earlier (when I know or see the merge) it seems safer to me.

What think?

Well, if traffic is coming you should not be driving 1/4 mile in the car lane. Think of it like entering a 70 mph interstate after going around the cloverleaf. You wouldn't drive to the end of the merge lane and then look for the first time. You would be looking even as you rounded the cloverleaf and picking a gap. That gap might end up being near the beginning or near the end of the merge lane. So it's ok to merge a little before the end of the merge lane, but I wouldn't jump the gun and get in front of faster moving cars. Sometimes you have to slow up a bit to smoothly hit the gap. You don't have the advantage of a car that can accelerate into a merge.
As an aside, I'm sure you love those drivers that enter the interstate and head directly to the far left lane and park themselves there at 55 mph. Note to those individuals--YOU do not get to regulate the flow of traffic. YOU do not get to set the speed in any given lane. That's what speed limit signs and the police are for. How do you know if you are one of those drivers? It's easy--you are constantly getting passed on the right and getting a one finger salute. Another hint is if you ever look in your mirror there are 45 cars tailgating you. So like the title of the thread states: Slower traffic keep right - it is the LAW

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by TheDude

If I am on a 2 lane road, say Hillsborough Trail and I want to turn left, or even merge, can I plan on this ahead of time and go over to the left lane early if there is no traffic on me (but traffic coming in the rear view mirror)?

YES. At least that is my opinion.

We do not have a golf cart and have no plans to buy one. We occasionally drive down Hillsborough and Pinellas and I think those roads are a dangerous place to drive a golf cart. I never drive over 25 mph on those roads, so you can pull your cart in front of me and I will not complain.

We bought a house in Osceola Hills so we would not have to drive down Hillsborough or Pinellas very often. My wife avoids those roads and I just do it on occasion because they are interesting.

[600th Photo Sq]

Originally Posted by jss3rd

It seems like a huge number of the drivers in The Villages think they own the left lane on roads with 2 lanes going in the same direction. They get in the left lane and are driving the same speed as the vehicle in the right lane and refuse to move over. It is against the law and there have been news articles stating that the law is going to be more strictly enforced. If you insist on driving in the left lane when there are cars behind you and refuse to pull over to the right lane when it is safe, be warned that you may receive an expensive ticket. Here is the law:

Florida Statutes §316.081
(3) On a road, street, or highway having two or more lanes allowing movement in the same direction, a driver may not continue to operate a motor vehicle in the furthermost left-hand lane if the driver knows or reasonably should know that he or she is being overtaken in that lane from the rear by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed. This subsection does not apply to drivers operating a vehicle that is overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or is preparing for a left turn at an intersection.

The people that you are referring to are more than likely Connecticut Drivers. Connecticut drivers are the Biggest offenders of driving in the left lane...slowly. Honestly they are by far the " Worst " drivers that I have ever come across. All of them need to take drivers education classes yes everyone..a absolute nightmare driving in that state.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Sorry, but it's not the law. The law says that if you are in the left hand lane and there is someone behind you and no one in front of you you MUST move over and allow them to pass. If you are in the right hand lane and some one in front of you is going too slow, you may use the right hand lane to pass. However there is no law against driving in the left hand lane if you are not impeding the traffic behind you.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

Sorry, but it's not the law. The law says that if you are in the left hand lane and there is someone behind you and no one in front of you you MUST move over and allow them to pass. If you are in the right hand lane and some one in front of you is going too slow, you may use the right hand lane to pass. However there is no law against driving in the left hand lane if you are not impeding the traffic behind you.

True, but if you're camped in the left lane going slow, you will find out quite quickly that you are impeding traffic

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by rubicon

I may be wrong but I believe that Statue was passed primarily to deal with interstate highways such as the Florida Turnpike.

Enforcing this Statue on a road such as 466 wherein the top speed is primarily 45 mph is very problematic. If strictly enforced it would bring traffic down to almost a halt

This topic like a number of others on this forum results in repeated flashpoints and a consensus will never be reached.

Merry Christmas

Where in this statute does is say anything about interstate highways. It clearly and specifically says,

On a road, street, or highway having two or more lanes allowing movement in the same direction

.

I believe that, Morse, Buena Vista, El Camino Real and several other streets in The Villages fit this definition. Highways 27/441, 466 and 466A definitely fit it.

The law means what the law says. If you are in the left hand lane and someone wants to pass you, it is mandatory that you move over and allow them to pass, regardless of your speed or their speed.

[retiredguy123]

This issue will never be solved. Although the law requires slower drivers to move to the right, it also requires all drivers to drive within the speed limit. So, if a driver is moving at 45 mph in a 45 mph zone, he feels that no one should be able pass without breaking the law, and he is correct on that point. So, what difference does it make which lane he is in? In a court of law, I don't see how the law could be enforced against a driver who is driving at the speed limit.

[rubicon]

When it was communicated the State made reference to Florida Turnpike which was the main focus. i understand it applies to all roads. However i have not noticed any increase enforcement either on the Florida Turnpike nor any road in particular. but then to accurately state so would require a 24/7 watch

My guess its on the books and is enforced where and when a driver or situation becomes problematic. Again to strictly enforce this particular law would interfere with the free flow of traffic and be very costly to boot.

Also consider the driver who meanders from one lane to the next on a continuum. They often don't bother to signal and they cut in even where the gap is narrow between vehicles. I consider this more problematic then a driver who stays the speed limit in the left lane

But watch the traffic patterns and it is apparent most drivers are very savvy and know how and when to make their move.

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

Where in this statute does is say anything about interstate highways. It clearly and specifically says, .

I believe that, Morse, Buena Vista, El Camino Real and several other streets in The Villages fit this definition. Highways 27/441, 466 and 466A definitely fit it.

The law means what the law says. If you are in the left hand lane and someone wants to pass you, it is mandatory that you move over and allow them to pass, regardless of your speed or their speed.

Dont' know the answer, but , I don't believe that you can require a person to break the law to comply with another law facilitating law breaking by another person. Has such a case been decide in court?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

True, but if you're camped in the left lane going slow, you will find out quite quickly that you are impeding traffic

Probably, but then you have no business in the left hand lane. But there is no law that says that you must drive in the right hand lane except to pass or make a left hand turn. if I'm in the left hand lane going the speed limit and there is no one behind me I'm not going to be pulled over for breaking the law.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

And I apologize. I misread the title of the OP. Yes, the law does say that if you are going slower than the traffic behind you, you must move over.

There have been threads where people insist that the law says that you must stay in the right hand lane un less passing and I read the title fast and thought it was another of those posts.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

This issue will never be solved. Although the law requires slower drivers to move to the right, it also requires all drivers to drive within the speed limit. So, if a driver is moving at 45 mph in a 45 mph zone, he feels that no one should be able pass without breaking the law, and he is correct on that point. So, what difference does it make which lane he is in? In a court of law, I don't see how the law could be enforced against a driver who is driving at the speed limit.

And right there is the problem. Read THE LAW again, the person in the left lane is REQUIRED to move over, REGARDLESS of the relative speeds of the vehicles. So the driver who "FEELS" no one should be able to pass HIM is 110% WRONG. HE does not get to dictate HIS viewpoint on everyone else. HE is not the law nor a LEO. It is NOT HIS job. HE is not a dictator. So if some jerk wants to go way over the speed limit, that is between him and the law, NOT a self appointed speed monitor who is violating the law himself.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

And right there is the problem. Read THE LAW again, the person in the left lane is REQUIRED to move over, REGARDLESS of the relative speeds of the vehicles. So the driver who "FEELS" no one should be able to pass HIM is 110% WRONG. HE does not get to dictate HIS viewpoint on everyone else. HE is not the law nor a LEO. It is NOT HIS job. HE is not a dictator. So if some jerk wants to go way over the speed limit, that is between him and the law, NOT a self appointed speed monitor who is violating the law himself.

So, in your example, a police officer on the scene should give a ticket to the guy going the speed limit and let the speeding jerk get away?