Driving in the Left Lane can be Dangerous and Illegal
Posted Friday, June 15, 2018 by Chris Thayer
If you have ever been stuck behind a slowpoke driver in the left lane, or if you have been tailgated because you are driving too slowly in the left lane, then you probably understand the frustrations and dangers of hanging out in the “fast” lane.
Driving in the left lane causes thousands of accidents every year, according to research done by the Traffic Operations & Safety Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. That is one of the reasons many states make it illegal to drive in the left lane unless you are passing another driver or the right lanes are blocked. Even states that do not penalize left-lane driving urge slower drivers to stay on the right.
Washington is one of those states where you can not camp out in the left lane. It is illegal to drive in the left lane on highways with two or more lanes, except when passing, moving to the left to allow other drivers to merge, or exiting on the left.
Problems with Driving in the Left Lane
More and more people are moving to the Seattle metropolitan area. In fact, between 2016 and 2017, more people moved to Seattle than moved away, making it one of only five metro areas with a “net domestic migration.” Unfortunately, with more people comes more traffic. Seattle’s roads rank 20th in the world for the worst traffic congestion, costing the city more than $5 billion in 2017. Drivers spent about 55 hours stuck in traffic last year.
Slow drivers who camp out in the left lane can incite road rage, cause traffic congestion and block emergency vehicles, according to state patrol troopers. Road rage is a major contributor to car accidents and can take many forms, including:
- Tailgating (following a car in front of you too closely)
- Cutting other drivers off
- Honking
- Flashing your headlights
- Cursing or yelling at other drivers, and
- Brake checking.
Extreme examples include running other drivers off the road or purposefully crashing into another vehicle.
Road rage-related behaviors are obviously negligent and can result in civil liability for personal injuries and fatalities. But, illegally driving in the left lane – especially when coupled with driving too slowly or other unsafe behaviors – is also negligent.
*Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Washington*You have the right to seek compensation if you have been injured in a car accident caused by a slow driver, aggressive driver, or any other negligent party.
You only have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, including for property damage, so do not delay. Get medical attention and reach out to an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
*Contact Us Today*Contact one of our experienced personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation if you are injured in a car accident, whether it was caused by a slow driver, a driver recklessly changing lanes or tailgating, or any other negligent individual. Our experienced attorneys will examine the facts of your case and help recover compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.