rockstars: "Sorry. I don't believe in the so-called "passing lane". I don't care what lane I'm in."

It's foolish thinking like this that creates dangerous situations on our roadways. Rockstars says there should be signs designating the passing lane yet clearly doesn't obey the posted "so-called" speed limit of 65 anyway. So which is it rockstars, either you know the rules of the road and obey them or you drive in la-la land and make up your own rules? If you simply don't know any better that's ignorance but if you do know better and fail to obey the rules that's stupidity. Either way, ignorant and stupid drivers not only put their own lives in danger but mine as well. The act of driving over two thousand pounds of steel 65 mph is dangerous and shouldn't be taken lightly. Your comments lead me to believe you don't care about anyone else but yourself. If you're not going to take the responsibility of driving seriously then stay off the road and we will all be safer. That goes for the rest of the NASCAR wannabes. The most tragic accidents are the ones which could have been avoided by using common sense. (By the way, how's my grammar and punctuation).

rockstars - it's called feeding you faimly/ single parent/ or taking care of your elderly family members. Not all people have an "opportunity" all the time, some may want to live simpler lives, etc. So get off your high horse, you sound like a buffoon. Buckyfan was correct. The level of tolerance and understanding by people like you are what is ruining this world.

Addendum: (hit post instead of preview)

On roads with center passing lanes (for instance, Hwy 14 between the Rock River and County F), it is safer to be in the right lane because you are further away from oncoming traffic.

One more IMPORTANT reason to drive in the right lane except when passing...

You are in the CENTER of the pavement (the left lane on your left and the paved shoulder on your right). This gives you much better chances of remaining on the pavement should an accident occur or a deer dart across the road or any other surprise.

What a needless loss of life.

I admit that there are times when in the fast lane, you're not able to safely move over to the right lane in order to let an impatient speeder go by. But any smart & aware speeder can figure that one out and will cut you some slack. You just have to beware of the ignorant, road rage filled, "controllers" out there who want to teach the world a lesson. In that case, do whatever you can to save your own arse and don't take anything personal (which adds to the road rage situation). You can't win 'em all and you can't please everyone. But at least try...for the sake of peace and safety. More often than not, people will know when your trying to accomodate them and looking for an opportunity to move over. NEVER should a faster vehicle be expected to pass on the right! That is extremely dangerous.
Clue #1 that you probably don't belong in the fast lane...if there is a line of vehicles behind you (and yes...on your butt) and there is no-one else ahead of you (no matter what excess speed you are going). If you can't get over...maybe kick it up a notch to find a spot that you can get back into the right lane. I'll admit, that my hubby has a tendency toward road rage and I'm constantly trying to diffuse the situation (the older he gets, the crabbier he gets). When he's clearly right and there is absolutely no reason why the vehicle in front of him should be driving in the left lane...I try to calmly point out to him that we really are in no hurry to be anywhere...or the person is elderly and probably can't safely turn their head to make sure that they have enough room to make a lane change back to the right. Actually, you would be surprised at how many people can't rotate their heads to look into the blind spot! I know my mom can't and that's one reason she avoids the interstate at all cost! She's older and her reaction time and range of motion is significantly reduced.
Oh yeah, I hate to admit it, but 90% of the time my hubby is right...the airhead driver backing up traffic in the left lane is sadly an elderly person or female on a cell phone. God I hate it when he's right! Elderly we can excuse...but ladies, please don't park it in the left lane while your talking on the cell. You do an injustice to all females...especially those who live with an egotistical male!

ms_sassy_wi: Apparently you are unable to detect sarcasm even when you reference it.
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buckyfan: It's called student loans and financial aid. It's available to anyone who qualifies (and nearly everyone does qualify). It isn't uncommon for people to pass up good opportunities, you know...

Hannah you should really get out of the house. I feel like you are a wanna be blogger with no audience. You comment everyday on almost every story. 2 people died, It was a horrible accident to witness (I was there on 90 when the truck rolled) It is a blessing no one else was injured or died.

this is my first comment on this article, so I apologize upfront for my aggressiveness...but, really, rockstar? "IF YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE IN THE LEFT LANE, THERE SHOULDN'T BE A LEFT LANE AT ALL."

I would like to submit that 16 year olds are not old enough to drive. apparently.

I was told by my parents (before they doled out a large amount of money for me to take Driver's Education at 15 1/2 years old) that being a driver is a PRIVILEDGE not a "right" and that the only way I would be allowed to use their car is if I followed the RULES OF THE ROAD...(mind you, not the RULES OF MS_SASSY_WI)...too many people have taken the road test, but haven't gone through Driver's Education. I wouldn't trade my experience with my DE teachers and that experience for anything! I learned more than even I appreciated until I hear grown adults wonder how to proceed through a 4-way stop. I can't believe the ignorance regarding traffic law.

Why do people use excessive punctuation on these forums????? It is so annoying!!!! I also enjoy the all caps THAT WAY WE ALL KNOW WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO MAKE THE ALL MIGHTY IMPRESSIVE POINT THAT WILL CONQUER ALL THE OTHER POSTS!!!!!
Seriously is the unemployment so bad here that this is the future of the online Gazette?

Instead of all this bickering, how about this...why doesn't everybody drive like they have loved ones in all the cars around them? Show a little respect and be a little considerate of the drivers around you. You are NOT the only one on the road that matters. If you are in a lane that is NOT the right lane and traffic seems to be backing up behind you, move over. It's not difficult. Once traffic has cleared, you can go back in the left lane if you want. 99% of the drivers correctly believe the left lane is for passing. Why should all of them have to go around you on the right? MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. As far as the driver that died in this accident, obviously his impatient driving finally caught up to him. Too bad the passenger had to pay as well.

First rockstars said he didn't believe in a passing lane. ("If I'm not going fast enough for you, go around me at your next opportunity. I drive between 70-75 mph on the interstate and if that isn't fast enough for you, it's not my problem.")

Then, when called on it, he implies that he did know the left lane is for passing, and he's willing to move over if you don't tailgate him. ("I never made mention of not being willing to move over. I am more than willing as long as I see you in time and you don't fly up behind me and insist on sitting on my bumper until I can move.")

As other posters have said, it is not our job to provide traffic enforcement on the highways and interstates. When you decide that you are going to punish someone for driving too fast/tailgating by refusing to move over (or you're oblivious to the need to do so), you create the bottlenecks and backups that were involved in the accident that very nearly killed me and my child.

Sure, those speeders, tailgaters, reckless drivers are infuriating, but that's not a green light to retaliate.

And rockstars, slamming someone who wasn't given the opportunities you had just shows your level of character.

Shame on you guys. You know who you are.

You did an illegal u-turn. You can not do a u-turn at any controlled intersection (the ones with traffic lights or traffic cops controlling them).

Consider it your lucky day. If you want to check out the state statute, go ahead. 346.33

Here's a link for you: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/statutes/St...

Hannah, it is illegal to do a U-turn at any controlled intersection. I think the no u-turn signs get posted at controlled intersections where this law is repeatedly broken or at controlled intersections that are considered to be of higher risk. The posting of the no u-turn sign at a controlled intersection is to simply remind motorists of the law.

chad_vader I wasn't calling out stevev on it his comment on whether it was a law or not. You obviously did read my post very well. I commented back to stevev's post to me saying aren’t there also laws about safe lane changes. It was relevant because I acknowledged yes there were laws but my point was that we need to stop debating the law here because there is no debate, it is black and white. What we need to do is show some respect to the families and friends involved and stop the debate. There is no debate. The laws discussed in a nutshell: 65mph, keep right, pass in left lane only, safe lane changes, wear seatbelts, etc. If everyone followed traffic laws in Wisconsin to the letter we would reduce traffic deaths to a very minimal number. This debate is not going to change the fact that two men are dead, but maybe people will at least read the laws talked about hear and start obeying them. After all they weren’t enacted so the police had something to do in writing tickets, they are there for or safety.

Once one person passes yo uon the right...GET OVER. Also, for those of you who try to pass a long line on the right and swerve over...may you mee the same fate.

And, hannah, I never made mention of not being willing to move over. I am more than willing as long as I see you in time and you don't fly up behind me and insist on sitting on my bumper until I can move. And I most certainly wear my seatbelt, I don't drink and drive, and I move for emergency vehicles of all kinds.

Based on your suggestion that you are smarter than me based on your driving skills, I would like to disagree. I probably drive better than you AND I can spell. No one mistakes me for an uneducated fool like they do with you. I win by default.

You know, I can respect most peoples' comments on here but hannah's comments = fail. No cohesive thoughts at all. This has nothing to do with drunk driving, hannah. Seriously, dumb, dumb, dumb argument there, friend.
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And to whomever mentioned something about me being too strict with grammar and spelling, I can only simply say that I can't take any argument seriously when the language and grammar is so horribly massacred. Grammar is an aspect of character.
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Maybe we should all have some personal accountability, agree to disagree, and get back on topic.
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Again, my thoughts and sympathy to all involved.

I feel sorry for the passanger. I drive I-90 5 times a week and I'm tired of all these d-bags on the road cutting people off so they can move ahead of two vehicles. I see these clowns put my life and everyone elses in danger. I hope all of you drivers out there read this and change your ways.

Wow Hannah... you're good at taking one question and turning it into something completely different. I was only saying that it would be nice to see the reminder sign on the side of the road if this is the problem that you are making it out to be. They have reminder signs on road for all sorts of things (no U turn at a controlled intersection, no passing in a no passing zone, etc.). They put these signs up because these laws are disobeyed frequently. I was simply saying if this is a problem, and it is illegal, why not remind people with signs. That's it.

Of course we don't need ALL of the rules of the road posted everywhere. But the fact is that we get reminded of some that are repetedly broken.

And please don't confuse the issue of the left lane with drunk driving. They are two completely different issues. Plus, people get ticketed for drunk driving everyday. I think it is safe to say that everyone who drives knows that drunk driving is illegal. I think it is also safe to say that not everyone knows (or remembers) that driving in the passing lane is illegal.

Regarding ticketing people for driving in the left lane and getting a ticket for it --- I was wondering why a cop doesn't pull you over for driving in the left lane too long. There wouldn't have to be an accident for them to issue this ticket. It would be a moving violation. A cop could ticket you for this if they saw you driving in the left lane for too long.

Rockstars: You recently wrote:

"Copperguy: Thanks for posting the statutes, although I don't need you to direct me to them. I know where to find them and by you suggesting I don't know them simply shows your ignorance."

Yet, earlier, you wrote:
"Sorry. I don't believe in the so-called "passing lane".

My post was in response to your ealrier one. The left lane is clearly designated by state law as a passing lane. It is not "so-called," but, rather, statutorily described. There's nothing for you to believe or not believe in.

Sorry you find me ignorant for pointing out that folks don't have the option of deciding which laws they "believe" in obeying.

Road rage is probably what caused this tragedy. I can not stress enough that need to relax and share the road. No one person "owns" the roads. Arguing over who is the most illegal is pointless.

Hannah --- I agree with Rockstars that if the left lane is for passing they should may be put signs up to remind people of that. Nothing more, nothing less. And I am not quoting the law (or at least that's what I thought you were saying --- guoting, I am assuming is a typo for quoting). I am asking why you don't hear of people being ticketed for using the left lane as a driving lane and not a passing lane (this law was quoted in a state statute post by someone else). I was simply wondering if anyone could shed light on that. But if you could take more time to read and less time to call me stupid (which was not a word I ever used in my posts), then may be you would know that I wasn't quoting any laws and I didn't agree with everything Rockstars said. Now I will take accountability for what I posted and next time I will say somthing to the effect of, I agree with you regarding..." because obviously my comments following "I agree with you" aren't sufficient enough for you.

Good point Royo. I have seen that exact thing happen to ambulances on the interstate.

rockstars, I would have to say that limiting this arena to the higher educated, those that know correct punctuation, and is correctly structured is a little rigid for such a forum. I like to read everyone's thoughts, bad spelling and all, as this is a great mixture of views. Until you start grading everyone's essay, and giving us a degree for proper writing, then lighten up a bit. We are shooting the bull here, not giving a proper lecture.

Please don't forget that the passing lane is also for emergency vehicles. This in itself is a good enough reason to stay in the right lane when not passing other vehicles. If you have your music up loud (which most people probably do on the freeway), you won't hear the sirens and may delay the emergency vehicles' crucial seconds.

Oh and rockstar, I completely agree with you about accountability. I am in no way shape or form condoning people speeding and changing lanes carelessly. This really is a tragedy. People driving too fast, or too slow, or driving in the wrong lanes all cause problems.

Rockstar - No need for name calling. I never said I stayed at 65. I was merely pointing out that you made the comment that people driving 80-85 should have left earlier, but you driving at 70-75 is ok. The speed limit is 65, but you seem to be making your own rules on what is an exceptable excessive speed.
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Most of us merely stated facts that you were asking about, so I don't know why you're getting so upset. Fact of the matter is, you're wrong and many people called you out on it.
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No hard feelings.

Correction --- I meant to say that most drivers, no matter how good, do not know ALL the rules of the road.

And another point... in some states they will actually give tickets to drivers using the left lane for driving (not passing) purposes. Why don't they do this in Wisconsin if this is law??? I have NEVER hear of anyone being ticketed for this. I'm not saying they don't ticket for this at all, I am only saying that in this area it is not common practice for cops to give tickets for this (based on my experience of course). Anyone know why this is???

By the way Rockstars, I agree with you. If the left lane is for passing, why not put a sign up to remind people??? I know there are laws to govern the rules of the road, but most drivers, not matter how good, know ALL of the laws by heart.

w8nc: Thanks for the comment. Surely, I will be attacked. I have no problem with that, though. I can handle criticism as long as it's structured correctly, well thought out, and relatively constructive.

tdub, if I read this right (and I quote)"FOLKS BOTTOM LINE IS IT IS THE LAW!", then I don't see your comment to stevev to be relevant. He was right, there is a law on lane changes, so that was not an opinion. There are many laws we must follow to make the roads safe, not just "drive in the right lane, pass in the left". Too bad many people forget those rules.

Believe it or not, but you can be ticketed for going 65 mph in the left lane if you're impeding traffic. Troopers aren't necessarily looking for speeders, they're looking for those going faster than the flow of traffic or those impeding traffic. Both very dangerous. In this case, I'm "guessing" that the pickup driver was driving aggressively and faster than the "flow of traffic".

Rockstars --- well thought out post. But wait for it... they will attack you. Once they start, they can't stop.

Before I address some so-called "comments" regarding my post, I want to mention that I do feel bad for these men and the families that have lost a valued member. The circumstances are unfortunate and nothing anyone can say will bring these men back. I think it's only appropriate to mention that I have an abundant amount of sympathy for the families of all involved in this horrific accident.
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Seriously, listen to all of you that are boo-hooing about people driving in the left lane. Really? Two men died. Let's complain about how people drive too fast or drive too slow or drive in the left lane or the right lane. My God.
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CallitasIseeit: Troll on the loose. And your lack of punctuation and grammar skills are disappointing.
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Copperguy: Thanks for posting the statutes, although I don't need you to direct me to them. I know where to find them and by you suggesting I don't know them simply shows your ignorance. Maybe if these things were enforced instead of having officers' jobs cut and the rest of the force spread out, it would actually mean something.
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spark: You can have a nice day, too. I'm willing to bet you don't sit right at 65, either. Quit being a troll.
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hannah: Please direct your criticisms to others for now but feel free to direct your criticisms to me once you learn how to use correct punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and sentence structure. Your comments help me understand why our culture is so stupid.
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SarahB1: Thank you for being the voice of reason. And my comment to you is genuine. Only a few on here really understand reasoning and logic, not to mention something called personal accountability, and you are quite prevalent among them.
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Workhardplayhard: Thank you for your comments.
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Mariekos: For the record, I have never been a driver that causes accidents. If you don't know what you're talking about, it's best not to join the conversation.

I really wish more people would be ticketed that drive in the passing lane and hold up traffic, with NO intention of using the right lane. Ignorance.

stevev my point apparently was missed by you. You went right back to the tragic article and obviously commented on the "The vehicles collided when the pickup driver attempted to cut into the left lane too quickly". Yes safe lane changing is the law too, but my point was everyone has made this a forum to agrue over their opinion of proper highway operation. The law is the law and opinion really doesnt matter. The article is about 2 men that tragically lost their lives, so posters need to quit argueing over opinions of proper highway operation, stick to following the laws and show some compassion to the families and friends of the deceased.

Aren't there also laws on making safe lane changes?

Thank you copperguy I was just about to do the same thing and post the statutes. I love the comments like I prefer the left lane and I go 70 and then they condemn the move over to the right lane posters. FOLKS BOTTOM LINE IS IT IS THE LAW! You talk about people speeding so you operate in the left lane to slow them down, yet you are breaking the law by doing so. It is just sad that a family member or friend of the deceased reading this article has to scan down to comments maybe with the hope of seeing a "we will miss you Doug" or "you left us too early Richard" and they get to read about people fighting over proper lane usage that is clearly posted on every major highway. I don't care what your argument or what speed you are going "KEEP RIGHT".

Sorry I forgot to add discloure to my last statement --- it was just a little sarcasm, nothing serious. I know some people can't read into the sarcasms when they're posted.

But Copperguy, what if you are passing all of the people in the right hand lane?

Wisconsin State Statute 346.05:

346.05(1)
(1) Upon all roadways of sufficient width the operator of a vehicle shall drive on the right half of the roadway and in the right-hand lane of a 3-lane highway, except:

346.05(1)(a)
(a) When making an approach for a left turn under circumstances in which the rules relating to left turns require driving on the left half of the roadway; or

346.05(1)(b)
(b) When overtaking and passing under circumstances in which the rules relating to overtaking and passing permit or require driving on the left half of the roadway.

346.08(2) allows passing on the right, "Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width to enable 2 or more lines of vehicles lawfully to proceed, at the same time, in the direction in which the passing vehicle is proceeding"

Moral of the story: Stay right except to pass. Someone who stays in a left lane is breaking the law just as much as someone exceeding the speed limit.

By the way, my heart goes out to the families of these two men. It's very sad and I just cannot imagine the heartache.

Rockstars and sniv57 your attitudes are a big reason why these types of accidents happen. Rockstars-you can't not "believe" in the passing lane. THAT'S WHAT IT IS! If you're not a cop don't worry about how fast the guy passing you is going!

I travel to and from Madison every day and there are a lot of moron drivers out there. A really, really simple rule is stay in the right lane until you are passing someone, then GET BACK IN THE RIGHT LANE.

For all of you who don't want to follow the rules of the road, four simple words (which you've probably seen going up and down I-90): SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT. If it wasn't meant to be that way, there wouldn't be signs.

hooters: in reply to your "if someone is speeding up behind you, pull into the right lane" comment -- in my travels all over this country, I have more times than not been unable to pull over to the right lane when a person is coming up behind me fast. Why? Because before I get the chance to do so, the other driver pulls into the right lane and flies past me (usually this means they're 15mph over the speed limit, and this includes places like Western Texas on I-10 where the speed limit is 80mph). So it's not always so simple to just pull over to let them pass you on the left.

I agree with Rockstar and also drive 70 to 75 MPH. It is more dangerous to continuously change lanes then drive in the left lane. If you prefer to drive the speed limit or slower, then yes stay in right lane. As for me, I prefer the left. I do not tailgate people ahead of me but do see others driving at autoban-like speeds. Keep in mind they are the ones who cause the most accidents.

I know the family of the passenger in the truck who died, they are a very nice family and I am sure this is a very difficult time for them.
I would like to ask the people like Rockstars and sniv57 to PLEASE follow the "passing lane" rule and stay right unless passing. It may hurt your pride to move out of someone else's way but it may also save someones life. I am not saying people should speed but we all know that there is always people going too fast, the best thing for everyone is to let them pass with out making them change lanes at high speeds.

For what it's worth, I was driving north on I-39/90 late Wednesday morning in the right hand lane at the I-43 Beloit exit. Without warning a car merged from the passing lane, cut me off, forcing me onto the exit as that driver decided he wanted to exit. He probably realized he was missing his exit and swerved to take the exit, not checking the blind spot in his rear view mirror. As he tore off, we were left to ponder what almost happened. Not being familiar with the area, we drove to the first exit, turned around and continued our journey to Madison. Thursday afternoon, we were returning south, only to slowly pass the accident. What happened to us within a short distance of the spot of the tragic accident puts life into perspective. Living near Joliet, IL, when I returned safely home, I Googled to see if there was a report on the accident. How very sad.

On the Autobahn, if you get rear-ended in the fast lane, you get a ticket...I like that method of keeping the blue-haired Prius driver in the correct lane.

I always figured the "control" freaks sat in the PASSING lane for just the reasons I have seen posted here today. How obnoxious.

My thoughts are with the families of these men, so sad.

sniv57 - Read my longer post below. It's not up to you or I to monitor the speed of drivers. Leave that to the State Patrol. Regardless if someone is speeding, get out of the left lane if they want to get by. If they get busted, then you can laugh at them.

momof5 - I don't think most here are talking about this exact driver, more of an overall discussion of what may cause this. While the article makes it appear there was inappropriate driving, "the pickup driver attempted to cut into the left lane too quickly", you are right that only suppositions can be made. Considering that one should not switch lanes until there is sufficient room, the decision to chance this seemed to be on the trucks driver, who was switching lanes. If done properly, the room between vehicles would have negated any attempt at offensive driving. The sad part is that 2 people died. Our hearts go out to the families.

Does this happen to anyone else? You are in the right lane and you are behind someone going slower. As soon as you pull into the left lane, the car you are trying to pass suddenly speeds up. So now you are in the left lane and a faster car is coming up behind you. You either need to slow down to pull back in behind the idiot you were trying to pass that can't make up his mind what speed he wants to go (it's called "cruise control"...you should try using it!!), or you need to speed up even more to get out of the way of the person that just came up behind you that refuses to slow down to give you time to get out of the way. It's very irritating.

Rockstars and sniv57 are a big reason why these types of accidents happen. You could feel the roadrage in rockstars post.

Rockstar - ask any State Patrol Officer, they will tell you what the lane is for. It is probably in the traffic rules we were all supposed to learn, but at that young age never quite comprehended.

chad_vader - You are correct about that scenario also. Totally agree.

spark, that is what people don't understand. The left lane is for passing. But you never see the insane speeders move over, the left lane is their right to fly.

Rockstars - Man, I hope you don't drive a motorcycle!!! I'd hate to think I'm sharing the road with someone who drives the way you say you drive a car. Cyclists and motorists alike, BEWARE of anyone who drives with the attitude of "I don't care what lane I'm in!!!". . . .YIKES!

hooters - you misinterpreted my point. I always move back over. But there have been times, when I HAD my turn signal on to move back to the right lane, the impatient moron cuts over to the right lane and passes me (with them not worrying about how much room they had between them and the vehicle they just cut in front of in the right lane). And furthermore, they need to show patients while the driver ahead moves over safely before they continue on their speeding ways.

I think "callit" brought up a very plausible scenario! People are calling the driver of the truck the speed demon and an irresponsible offensive driver. Maybe. But, let's not ignore that the car driver could have also been an irresponsible defensive driver!

Condolences to the families and friends of all involved!

Slower traffic keep right: Drivers must allow faster traffic to pass in the left lane on divided highways
According to a hit-song of the 1970s, life in the fast lane will surely make you lose your mind. To protect your sanity as well as your safety, it's often wise to let faster-moving vehicles just pass you by. This is especially true while driving on Interstate highways and other multiple-lane roadways. If you're traveling slower than other vehicles, you can help traffic move more safely and efficiently by staying in the right lane as much as possible.

According to Wisconsin law, any vehicle traveling "at less than the normal speed of traffic" is required to be driven in the right lane (or as close as practicable) except when overtaking or passing another vehicle. A citation for violating this law costs $198.60 with four demerit points assessed on the driver's license.

"Even when you're driving at the posted speed limit, you should allow faster moving vehicles to pass. Trying to force other drivers to slow down by blocking the left lane does not make our highways safer. Instead, it can lead to more tailgating, road rage and other problems," says State Patrol Superintendent David Collins. "We hope that drivers will leave enforcement of speed limits to our troopers and other law enforcement officers."

The State Patrol advises motorists to follow these guidelines to help maintain a safe flow of traffic on Interstates and other divided highways:

If you're not passing another vehicle, use the right lane as much as possible.
If you're in the right lane, allow other drivers to merge from the left lane into the right lane so that faster traffic can pass in the left lane. In addition, provide space for vehicles to merge into the right lane when they are entering a roadway from an on-ramp.
If you're in the left lane, don't tailgate or try to make a slower vehicle ahead of you move to the right lane. Be patient and courteous.
Superintendent Collins says, "When slower moving vehicles use the right lane, traffic flows more smoothly with less congestion and road rage, which certainly helps make our highways safer and more efficient."

rockstars- Did you take drivers ed? The point when driving is to not obstruct traffic. You don't believe in the passing lane? Than you obviously make your own rules. There are many states where it's the law to use the left lane as a passing lane only. In Wisconsin the law says, slower traffic keep right. That doesn't mean you should sit in the left lane even if you're going 70 if someone wants to get around you. Move over. I'm not condoning speeding at all either.
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By the way, you should have left earlier if you are going 75mph. The speed limit is 65mph, right?

Drive in the right lane, pass in the left. That is correct. But that being said, I am someone who tries to follow that rule, but I am frequently passed on the right by people who can't wait for me to safely make my lane change. They probably think I'm glued to the left lane, when in fact I'm waiting for a safe time to return to the right lane. Believe me, I want to let you pass, because if you're going 15, 20 mph or more over the limit, you present a danger to me. But people in a big hurry (I'm already doing the speed limit or maybe a few over), they just swerve around me. Sometimes there are several in a row! They create an unsafe condition on so many levels. If this is you...stop it! The same to tail-gaters. Sometimes if I'm tail-gated I have to SLOW DOWN (not what they want). I don't do it to "teach them a lesson", I do it because the tail-gater is forcing me to leave even more distance to the vehicle in front of me, since I now have to account for the vehicle behind as well as my own.

My condolences to the families and loved ones. You will be in my prayers.

Sorry. I don't believe in the so-called "passing lane". I don't care what lane I'm in. If I'm not going fast enough for you, go around me at your next opportunity. I drive between 70-75 mph on the interstate and if that isn't fast enough for you, it's not my problem. And if I encounter someone not going as fast as I am, I pass them. Regardless of which lane they are in. Like someone else said, you should have left earlier if you feel the need to go 80 or 90.
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If you fanatics believe in the "passing lane", why the hell isn't it identified that way (similarly to a school crossing)? Maybe you should lobby for "Passing Only" to be spray painted in the lane at intervals. Geez.
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IF YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE IN THE LEFT LANE, THERE SHOULDN'T BE A LEFT LANE AT ALL. And maybe some of you geniuses can tell me which lane is the passing lane when there are three or four lanes of traffic???? Please enlighten me with your grand "move over to the right lane" wisdom.

stevev - I'm not blaming anyone in the left lane for anything. I have no idea what happened, I wasn't there. I'm simply stating a fact that the left lane is for passing vehicles only and many people don't understand that.

I can't believe that people seem to be blaming the left lane drivers for being unsafe. How many times have you seen this: Vehicle in left lane going 70, passing vehicle in right lane going 65. Truck going 80 comes behind the car in left lane, isn't happy with slowing down to 70, so tries to pass the car in the left lane, only to have to cut in front of that car because there is also a car in the right lane. I'm not saying that this is what happened yesterday, but we've all seen it happen. Just slow down.

sniv57, are you saying you hang in the left lane because you are going 70 so no one should be passing you anyway? If that is the case, read the below postings about moving over unless you are passing another vehicle. If anyone is reading this has a retort for not moving to the right lane unless passing, I would love to hear it.

sniv57 - Again, the left lane is for passing. Not driving in regardless of your speed. That is where most of the congestion and problems occur.

I drive at 70 mph in the left lane and still have people tailgating me and flashing high beams at me. As far has I am concerned they can go around me. (the law is 65 mph,and police will give you a 5 mph leeway,most of the time)If you are in that big of a hurry that you need to drive at 70+ mph then maybe you should have left a little bit earlier!

Do not ignore the possibility the driver being passed didn't speed up because they didn't want to be passed. I don't know any facts here nor am I making any accusations, but those "traffic controllers" who drive 66 in the left lane sometimes take umbrage to anyone passing them and and decide to speed up to show them who is boss.

It's pretty simple and they teach you this in drivers ed class. The problem is, it's too easy to get a drivers license and half the people forget the basics the instant their license is handed to them.
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Drive in the right lane. When you approach someone going slower than you in the right lane, pass them in the left lane and then get back in the right lane. The left lane is for passing! Not driving under the speed limit or staying there at higher speeds for that matter, either. It is so simple yet so many people are clueless. It's truly frightening.
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FYI, if you want to hall a*% and stay in the passing lane, go ahead. You are a moving target for the police. If you want to stay in the passing lane and drive like a turtle, you are also begging for trouble.

Hooters... I couldn't agree more!

w8nc - drivers on the interstate not only have to pay attention to all the signs, they must pay attention to the other drivers. Be courtesous to all others...including the roadway jerks no matter who they are (speeders, airheads, controllers, ect). Instead of taking offense to a driver, think about the innocent passengers. Perhaps the kid in the back seat that is unbelted? Tolerance will get you farther in life and you'll sleep better at night.

Chad_vader - My point is that it doesn't matter if you are going 70 in the fast lane. If someone is behind you wanting to drive 90...why don't you just move over instead of forcing them to "obey" the speed limit and staying where you are. If they pass you on the right...shame on you for not moving over to the right and letting them by! Are you one of those "highway controllers"? Out to teach the rest of the world to obey? Don't worry about it. If you can safely move over to the right, then why not do it? After they have gone by, you can switch back to the left and drive there if you feel you need to remain driving in the passing lane. The end result is you doing the speed limit, they get to speed, everyone is happy. Your causing more danger on the roadway by playing traffic cop.

It's like a deadly game on the interstate. Someone takes great offense to a slow driver "parked" in the left lane while miles & miles of traffic are backed up behind. Sometimes, instead of just passing on the right when it's an option, I've known people to ride the bumper of the "offender" until they finally get it and move over. I imagine some people just don't realize or check their rear view mirror while others find great pleasure in "controlling the road" and refusing to move. Perhaps they justify backing up the left lane by thinking to themselves "hey...I'm going the speed limit" and "they shouldn't be going so fast on I90". The most dangerous are those who are out to teach others a lesson..whether it be riding their bumper until they move out of the fast lane or staying in the fast lane and doing the speed limit to teach those behind that "you shouldn't be going so fast". One time, a "controller" slammed on his breaks to teach the driver of the vehicle I was in a lesson". You haven't lived until you felt the sway of a top heavy Aztek fully loaded with people going 60mhp and trying to keep all four wheels on the roadway as the driver avoided a collision with a bumper ahead.
Basically, people should not take traffic flow so "personally" and just concentrate on getting from point A to point B alive!

sugarbear, I agree that slower traffic should be on the right, and actually the left lane is for passing. Once you pass the vehicle you should go back to the right lane. But speed of the car in the left lane was not mentioned here. If I am passing a vehicle going 70, some idiot is on my bumper because he wants to go 90, and he passes me on the right because he determined I did not move over fast enough, who is at fault? The idiot speed demon driver. It is too bad people had to die to learn this lesson.

Weeds, I have gone 70 mph in the left lane (and this is technically speeding) and STILL got passed by some moron in the right side because they were in a hurry or needed to go 80 mph. You do not have a right to speed. It sounds like the truck driver was driving recklessly as many jerks have done before him, swerving back into the left lane like he was a Nascar driver. Place the blame where it belongs, on the shoulders of the irresponsible OFFENSIVE drivers.

Sugarbear --- I'm glad you not only mentioned the speed limit signs but the 'slower traffic keep right' signs. Too often, people only pay attention to one and disregard the other, and they are both important. Drivers on the interstate must pay attention to ALL signs on the road and to traffic conditions at all times.

Passing another vehicle on the right typically means someone is driving slow in the passing lane. This in itself upsets a lot of people. You know, those folks that drive aimlessly in the left lane doing 60, usually from that state to the south of Wisconsin? I can see where trying to cut them off and teach them a lesson (road rage) could come into play here. we've all seen it, this time it actually backfired. At any rate it's still a sad accident that could have been prevented.

This is such a shame. I feel sad for their families.People need to follow the rules of the road and slow down. Just because traffic choses to go at a certain speed doesnt make it right. The signs are posted for a reason and people should follow them. And if someone choses to drive under the speed limit then they should be in the right lane. There is too much road rage, and too many people in a hurry. They need to slow down and allow ample time to get where they are going, and be more curtious of other drivers.

a sad, preventable tragedy. My thoughts to the families, and I hope this is a lesson to everyone about safe driving