?Not in passing lane but driver still flashing high beams and horn to move me over

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WhatInThe

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Driving question. On a 3 lane highway in center lane at speed limit at night. Left passing lane wide open to use. Driver behind me flashed high beams and honked horn starting almost quarter mile away behind me. No sign emergency vehicle with any kind of flashers or beacon. Was I under any obligation to pull over a lane? Again left lane wide open.

For some reason he wanted the center lane yet after he passed me on the left he briefly slowed but I wasn't going to give him attention. 2 seconds later he accelerated in left lane about well above speed limit. Un written code give up the lane? I figured if police they would've given a brief siren or flashers.

They did have a very new vehicle judging by lights, shape and shine. Is there somekind of cruise control that will keep a car in the same lane?
 

I know you're not in the UK, but it's called middle lane hogging here and it's against the law. The police will pull you over if they see you hogging the middle lane and not just using it as a lane to overtake..

The fast lane is on the right here.. the middle lane is for overtaking slower vehicles ( we mostly have 4 or 5 lanes on our motorways) but the law says everyone should be driving in the slow lane which is the far left lane... of course it's not practical, but it is an offence to be driving in the 'middle lane'' unless overtaking, and we can be stopped by the police for it...
 

When I was young I dated a girl whose father was an engineer at the Ford Motor Company's proving grounds. His advice to me was, when diving through a larger city, stay in the center lane and go with the flow of traffic. That's always worked well for me.

I refer to the type of driver referenced in the OP as "self-entitled". :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
WhatInThe said:
Driving question. On a 3 lane highway in center lane at speed limit at night. Left passing lane wide open to use. Driver behind me flashed high beams and honked horn starting almost quarter mile away behind me. No sign emergency vehicle with any kind of flashers or beacon. Was I under any obligation to pull over a lane? Again left lane wide open.

For some reason he wanted the center lane yet after he passed me on the left he briefly slowed but I wasn't going to give him attention. 2 seconds later he accelerated in left lane about well above speed limit. Un written code give up the lane? I figured if police they would've given a brief siren or flashers.

They did have a very new vehicle judging by lights, shape and shine. Is there somekind of cruise control that will keep a car in the same lane?
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Doesn’t the statute about keeping to the right-most lane, unless overtaking -- even on a three-lane highway -- vary from state to state?


Update: I just found this, which seems to cover the different laws in all states -- some specifically mention three-lane roads:
https://www.mwl-law.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/SLOWER-TRAFFIC-KEEP-RIGHT.pdf

For example, on page 6:
“Delaware requires motorists to drive in the right lane, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle, when there is an obstruction on the roadway, when a roadway is divided into three marked lanes for traffic, or upon a roadway designated for one-way traffic. Slower traffic must keep right.”

Some other states rules on this seem a bit vague to me.

As for the driver behind you, it sounds like posturing -- perhaps trying to assert a false sense of dominance over the situation, regardless of what the local law actually requires. He attempted to make a point -- regardless of whether his point is warranted or not.
 
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WhatInThe said:
On a 3 lane highway in center lane at speed limit at night. Left passing lane wide open to use. Driver behind me flashed high beams and honked horn starting almost quarter mile away behind me.
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Maybe they had a self-driving car or something, otherwise I don't know why they'd start honking from a quarter mile away, in that case I'd worry their brakes had gone out!

But, if it was just a self-entitled driver, those types of people would behave obnoxiously no matter which lane you were in, I've had people tail-gating me and flashing their lights when I was in the far right lane.
 
You didn't mention why you were set on driving in the middle lane instead of the far right lane.

But that really isn't the issue. You said you were driving the posted speed limit & the left lane was open. It comes down to the ignorance of the driver that could pass but chose to harrass you. You get extra points for not engaging in an act of retaliation that could have begun a road rage situation.
 
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WhatInThe said:
Driving question. On a 3 lane highway in center lane at speed limit at night. Left passing lane wide open to use. Driver behind me flashed high beams and honked horn starting almost quarter mile away behind me. No sign emergency vehicle with any kind of flashers or beacon. Was I under any obligation to pull over a lane? Again left lane wide open.

For some reason he wanted the center lane yet after he passed me on the left he briefly slowed but I wasn't going to give him attention. 2 seconds later he accelerated in left lane about well above speed limit. Un written code give up the lane? I figured if police they would've given a brief siren or flashers.

They did have a very new vehicle judging by lights, shape and shine. Is there somekind of cruise control that will keep a car in the same lane?
Click to expand...
Maybe your gas tank cover was open or something they were trying to tell you about your car like something hanging off the bottom?
 
My own state law on this:

Left Lane Passing Law
Pennsylvania's Vehicle Code stipulates that on limited access highways having two or more lanes for traffic
moving in the same direction, vehicles shall be driven in the lane nearest the right-hand edge of the roadway, except: 1)
when overtaking (passing) another vehicle; 2) moving to the left lane to allow traffic to merge; 3) for up to a distance of
two miles in preparation for a left turn at an intersection, exit, or private road or driveway where such a turn is legally
permitted; or 4) as directed by official traffic control devices, police officers, or appropriately attired persons authorized to
divert, control, or regulate traffic. Drivers found in violation of this law can be fined up to $100.
 
Knight said:
You didn't mention why you were set on driving in the middle lane instead of the far right lane.

But that really isn't the issue. You said you were driving the posted speed limit & the left lane was open. It comes down to the ignorance of the driver that could pass but chose to harrass you. You get extra points for not engaging in an act of retaliation that could have begun a road rage situation.
Click to expand...

Was on a stretch of highway where there exits or entrances to road about every 1/2 mile or so. And the road frequently shrinks to 2 lanes near curves and exits. Once past those suburban exits the highway goes 2 lanes.

My guess being night after rush hour(7 days a week there) with less traffic they decided to see how fast they could go. During the business day and rush hour one rarely can go the posted limit
 
On a 3 lane highway, it is my practice to drive in the middle lane because the left lane is for faster traffic, or passing, and the right lane sometimes becomes an exit only lane.

It is illegal in Texas (and some other states) to honk a car horn to discipline other drivers or intimidate them into moving out of a lane. Car horns are legally permitted only to warn of a safety hazard or potential collision. Using the horn for any other purpose can result in a ticket and fine.

It's also distracting and can unwittingly invite retaliation or slamming on of brakes when a driver is provoked.
 

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