Passing on the right in the US

[edwaleni]

Passing on the left is now the law in Arkansas

cite?

Arkansas Code Title 27. Transportation § 27-51-301. Vehicles to be driven on right side of roadway--Exceptions

https://codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-27-transportation/ar-code-sect-27-51-301/

ALL COUNTIES | December 19, 2023

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and law enforcement officials are reminding drivers to use the left lane for passing only.

In 2021, Act 1090 was passed into Arkansas State Law which outlines the conditions drivers must meet while traveling on multilane highways in the same direction.

Act 1090 was designed to prevent backups on roadways and, in turn, increase safety by limiting left-lane driving to passing only.

Except for situations when lanes are blocked, the law requires drivers to use the right lanes for travel, reserving the left-most lane for passing only.

"We want to remind drivers that it's illegal and dangerous to impede the flow of traffic by driving in the left lane," said Arkansas Highway Police Chief Jeff Holmes.

A recent report shows that 411 citations and 3,100 warnings for left-lane driving have been issued by state and local law enforcement since the law went into effect in 2021.

"Some people don't realize they are breaking the law when they continuously drive in the left lane and impede other vehicles from passing," ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor stated. "ARDOT and our law enforcement agencies are working to educate drivers and increase safety on our roadways."

To view the full text of Act 1090, click here.

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2FACT1090.pdf

[kphoger]

Passing on the left is now the law in Arkansas

cite?

Arkansas Code Title 27. Transportation § 27-51-301. Vehicles to be driven on right side of roadway--Exceptions

https://codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-27-transportation/ar-code-sect-27-51-301/

ALL COUNTIES | December 19, 2023

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and law enforcement officials are reminding drivers to use the left lane for passing only.

In 2021, Act 1090 was passed into Arkansas State Law which outlines the conditions drivers must meet while traveling on multilane highways in the same direction.

Act 1090 was designed to prevent backups on roadways and, in turn, increase safety by limiting left-lane driving to passing only.

Except for situations when lanes are blocked, the law requires drivers to use the right lanes for travel, reserving the left-most lane for passing only.

"We want to remind drivers that it's illegal and dangerous to impede the flow of traffic by driving in the left lane," said Arkansas Highway Police Chief Jeff Holmes.

A recent report shows that 411 citations and 3,100 warnings for left-lane driving have been issued by state and local law enforcement since the law went into effect in 2021.

"Some people don't realize they are breaking the law when they continuously drive in the left lane and impede other vehicles from passing," ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor stated. "ARDOT and our law enforcement agencies are working to educate drivers and increase safety on our roadways."

To view the full text of Act 1090, click here.

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2FACT1090.pdf

I don't see anything in there about passing on the right being illegal.  Did I miss something?

[Max Rockatansky]

Passing on the left is now the law in Arkansas

cite?

Arkansas Code Title 27. Transportation § 27-51-301. Vehicles to be driven on right side of roadway--Exceptions

https://codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-27-transportation/ar-code-sect-27-51-301/

ALL COUNTIES | December 19, 2023

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and law enforcement officials are reminding drivers to use the left lane for passing only.

In 2021, Act 1090 was passed into Arkansas State Law which outlines the conditions drivers must meet while traveling on multilane highways in the same direction.

Act 1090 was designed to prevent backups on roadways and, in turn, increase safety by limiting left-lane driving to passing only.

Except for situations when lanes are blocked, the law requires drivers to use the right lanes for travel, reserving the left-most lane for passing only.

"We want to remind drivers that it's illegal and dangerous to impede the flow of traffic by driving in the left lane," said Arkansas Highway Police Chief Jeff Holmes.

A recent report shows that 411 citations and 3,100 warnings for left-lane driving have been issued by state and local law enforcement since the law went into effect in 2021.

"Some people don't realize they are breaking the law when they continuously drive in the left lane and impede other vehicles from passing," ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor stated. "ARDOT and our law enforcement agencies are working to educate drivers and increase safety on our roadways."

To view the full text of Act 1090, click here.

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2FACT1090.pdf

I don't see anything in there about passing on the right being illegal.  Did I miss something?

You didn't.  That statute doesn't prohibit right lane passing in any way. 

[DriverDave]

Depends how you define "passing". If someone is going too slow in say the 2nd or 3rd lane on a highway with 4 lanes on each side, I might get in the next right lane over just because it's faster. Then I might have to pass slower cars in that far right lane eventually, getting back in front of that original car. Did I technically "pass" that slow car in the 2nd lane, just in a more gradual way? It's just changing lanes twice.

[kphoger]

I might get ... back in front of that original car. Did I technically "pass" that slow car

Yep.

It's just changing lanes twice.

That is generally how passing works.

[Flint1979]

One time on US-23 within the last year I was driving southbound and had my cruise set at 80, then here comes someone driving the same speed as a semi truck in the right lane refusing to pass the semi and get over and I was the second car behind the person doing this and I started getting pissed because this went on for at least 10 miles before I finally got fed up and noticed an opening on the shoulder that was long enough for me to get on the shoulder and pass the lead car so that is what I did there, the first car (the car in front of me) had no idea what I was doing and just stayed there when I went past that car. I was so pissed off that I drove 90 mph for about 10 miles until I finally slowed back down to 80. The car that was doing this was doing about 62 mph. I hate that freaking freeway between Flint and Toledo, it cuts off about 25 miles vs. taking I-75 all the way into Ohio and for almost the entire stretch is only four lanes (two in each direction) with at least 50,000 VPD.

Good thing it didn't turn out that there was a cop right in front of the truck.

It was alright I knew it wasn't a cop. It was some old black lady that's all I remember about the driver.

[kphoger]

And keep in mind that the right lane is often worn out by trucks..

1.  The right lane is in poor condition from heavy truck traffic.
2.
3.  Therefore, I can just stay in the left lane, and the faster driver can use the right lane instead.

There are several possibilities for filling in (2).

1.  The right lane is in poor condition from heavy truck traffic.
2.  My preferred driving speed is the standard by which all others' must be judged.
3.  Therefore, I can just stay in the left lane, and the faster driver can use the right lane instead.

1.  The right lane is in poor condition from heavy truck traffic.
2.  My car's suspension and tires are more important than others'.
3.  Therefore, I can just stay in the left lane, and the faster driver can use the right lane instead.

1.  The right lane is in poor condition from heavy truck traffic.
2.  I can drive however I want to avoid the slightest inconvenience.
3.  Therefore, I can just stay in the left lane, and the faster driver can use the right lane instead.

I'm sure there are others you could think of.

[Ned Weasel]

Just to get this off my chest--

I really, really, REALLY HATE IT when drivers tailgate someone in the left lane while the right lane is wide open for passing. You can tell just from observing this bevahior that people who do this aren't really in that much of a hurry; they're just trying to prove their idea that the left lane is the "fast lane" and everyone going slower than they want should move to the right. Which--while that is often (but not always) a correct interpretation of KRETP laws (which aren't the governing rule EVERYWHERE, by the way)--doesn't help anything at all.

When I drive in the northeast, I don't see people doing the tailgating-instead-of-passing thing as often as I do near where I live, but I don't have any actual data on where drivers are better or worse about this.

Another thing I REALLY HATE is when I'm coming up behind someone in the left lane who's going below the speed limit,  and right when I put on my right turn signal and start to change lanes to the right, they immediately change lanes to the right and block me from passing on the right. It's extremely rude and obnoxious. Just stay in your lane until I'm done passing you--is it really too much to ask? The Great Supreme Leader of Cars and Highways isn't going to come down and smite you for being in the left lane when you arguably should have been in the right one. Just chill for a few seconds and then take whichever lane you want.

Okay, I'm done ranting now, and honestly, just because this stuff is really ****ing annoying doesn't mean it warrants more attention than the actual, tangible problems in the world.

[Max Rockatansky]

I want to know more about The Great Supreme Leader of Cars and Highways.  Does anyone care to give me a historical brief?

[kalvado]

And keep in mind that the right lane is often worn out by trucks..

1.  The right lane is in poor condition from heavy truck traffic.
2.
3.  Therefore, I can just stay in the left lane, and the faster driver can use the right lane instead.

There are several possibilities for filling in (2).

1.  The right lane is in poor condition from heavy truck traffic.
2.  My preferred driving speed is the standard by which all others' must be judged.
3.  Therefore, I can just stay in the left lane, and the faster driver can use the right lane instead.

1.  The right lane is in poor condition from heavy truck traffic.
2.  My car's suspension and tires are more important than others'.
3.  Therefore, I can just stay in the left lane, and the faster driver can use the right lane instead.

1.  The right lane is in poor condition from heavy truck traffic.
2.  I can drive however I want to avoid the slightest inconvenience.
3.  Therefore, I can just stay in the left lane, and the faster driver can use the right lane instead.

I'm sure there are others you could think of.

People on this forum would gladly use this level of argument to justify inconvenience for others, or worse than simple inconvenience. For example people were arguing about keeping left lane open in a stretch of intense merges-exits, so that Speedy Gonzales can step on the throttle.
So.. any of those, and if you want to go even more above speed limit than that car - it's your problem.

[Ned Weasel]

I want to know more about The Great Supreme Leader of Cars and Highways.  Does anyone care to give me a historical brief?

Hah! I was trying not to use the common name of a diety deity, since religion is pretty much off-limits here.

[Max Rockatansky]

I want to know more about The Great Supreme Leader of Cars and Highways.  Does anyone care to give me a historical brief?

Hah! I was trying not to use the common name of a diety, since religion is pretty much off-limits here.

Completely untrue, we talk about Goat Jesus all the time.

[1995hoo]

I want to know more about The Great Supreme Leader of Cars and Highways.  Does anyone care to give me a historical brief?

Hah! I was trying not to use the common name of a diety, since religion is pretty much off-limits here.

A diety? So his name is Atkins? Or maybe Scarsdale?

[Max Rockatansky]

I want to know more about The Great Supreme Leader of Cars and Highways.  Does anyone care to give me a historical brief?

Hah! I was trying not to use the common name of a diety, since religion is pretty much off-limits here.

A diety? So his name is Atkins? Or maybe Scarsdale?

I find a steady diet of mountain roads is best for keeping me regular.

[1995hoo]

I want to know more about The Great Supreme Leader of Cars and Highways.  Does anyone care to give me a historical brief?

Hah! I was trying not to use the common name of a diety, since religion is pretty much off-limits here.

A diety? So his name is Atkins? Or maybe Scarsdale?

I find a steady diet of mountain roads is best for keeping me regular.

Now I'm wondering about mountain roads with some sort of fiber in their names.

[Ned Weasel]

Hah! I was trying not to use the common name of a diety, since religion is pretty much off-limits here.

A diety? So his name is Atkins? Or maybe Scarsdale?

Oh noes, that one slipped through before I noticed! D:

[GaryV]

And keep in mind that the right lane is often worn out by trucks..

Back in college our choir went on tour with 2 charter buses. One of the drivers radioed the other that the left lane was much smoother. So they were both in the left lane, until a cop came up behind, was blocked, and pulled one over.

[jeffandnicole]

One time on US-23 within the last year I was driving southbound and had my cruise set at 80, then here comes someone driving the same speed as a semi truck in the right lane refusing to pass the semi and get over and I was the second car behind the person doing this and I started getting pissed because this went on for at least 10 miles before I finally got fed up and noticed an opening on the shoulder that was long enough for me to get on the shoulder and pass the lead car so that is what I did there, the first car (the car in front of me) had no idea what I was doing and just stayed there when I went past that car. I was so pissed off that I drove 90 mph for about 10 miles until I finally slowed back down to 80. The car that was doing this was doing about 62 mph. I hate that freaking freeway between Flint and Toledo, it cuts off about 25 miles vs. taking I-75 all the way into Ohio and for almost the entire stretch is only four lanes (two in each direction) with at least 50,000 VPD.

Good thing it didn't turn out that there was a cop right in front of the truck.

I'd think the person would notice another vehicle in front of the truck during that 10 mile span.