pntbutterandjelly says

90% of all accidents of every type are caused by human error. This coupled with alchohol stupors, drug enduced euphoria, cell phone usage (LOVE those texters!), R.E.M., having "close personal encounters" while driving, aimlessly gawking at the scenery and munching on fast food are real killers. Additionally daydreaming, unwarranted exiting from a vehicle at high speeds and wildly heated discussions come to mind as also harmful to one's physical being in the act of traveling our nations highways and byways (especially those darn bridges with guardrails). Therefore...we should ban all of the above with a few exceptions. Now, when it comes to "tailgating"...I prefer that driving technique as it saves a lot on gasoline costs. I figure I save at least $39.68 per year by tailgating (and it's just so much fun!) I mean to say if it's good enough at Indy...it's good enough for me! I'm sure most drivers can travel at 90 (+) m.p.h. and maintain a certain element of control (especially with that beer in hand, dubbie in mouth and lips on ...well you know.) However...should one create an accident while engaged in any of the above activities then one should have ones' fingers removed. That'll "slow 'em down" (permanently)

Me? I do all of the above and more even as I write this blog. I say, "If you can do it safely....then do it!"

C-ya at the races! (I'm the little old, half-blind lady in the '93 Caddy with the smashed-in front end who can't hear and sure as _ell won't use my turn signal even for passing the standing still, with flashers on school bus.) 

"PASS" it on.

sanduskysteve says

OMG - I  have to agree with them on this - following too close is the MAIN reason for lots of accidents on the roadways today - much more than speed - however, speed combined with this is the real reason for the accident.  Without the following too close issue - speed wouldn't matter as long as your car is in good condition and you account for road conditions.

There was a time in this country when there really were not a posted speed limit.  Probably fewer accidents too -b ut I don't have that data.

OMG.LOL.WT_ says

Bluto, allow me to nit pick.  I think that is the word you were looking for.

nit-picking Informal
n
a concern with insignificant details, esp with the intention of finding fault
adj
showing such a concern; fussy
[from nit1 + pick1]
nit-picker  n

Also, BW1, I watched a TV show about speed on the autobahn some time ago and learned that they run cameras and write many tickets for following too close.  I think they consider that more dangerous than speed.

pntbutterandjelly says

"Left lane for passing only" means I gotta drive over all the potholes in the right lane. (Geesh!)

The "either lane for passing" makes for more sense and better traffic flow.

The new proposed law will make little, if any, differance as drivers will drive wherever they please (human nature).

A new driving regulation in Ohio should allow for u-turns as in Florida and other states.

 

 

EZOB says

Sandusky Steve,

   You are right on.  Okay, I'm in the left lane passing and I'm "ONLY" going 70 in a 65 and a car comes right up on my bumper.  I don't care how fast you go 80-85-90???  they will stay on your bumper as long as you are the one in front.  Get into the right lane and most of the time, they will slow right down.  They want you to get the ticket.  If I was a cop, I'd always ticket the second or third car.  The leader is going as fast as he wants to go but the others are wanting to go fast and besidesa that,  They are guilty of tailgating as well.

sanduskysteve says

EZOB - I do the same thing - but ONLY if I'm already going over the speed limit.  Nobody has the right to speed - doesn't matter what lane they are in.  The right lanes are for SLOWER traffic - meaning traffic going less than the speed limit.

I would think that the OSP would really love this law being that they love to do nothing more than write speeding tickets.  Have less regualr traffic in the passing lanes - would encourage those who speed to get into the passing lane and just put the pedal down.  Could actually result in more state revenue because that would present TWO tickets instead of one.  One for speed and one for violating the left lane restriction laws.

But if you are passing a group of cars,  and you are going the speed limit - there is no reason for someone to get behind you and flash their lights and honk their horns and tailgate you (also against the law).  So, back off unless you want to go slower still.  When I finish passing - I will move over - but not until.

origen says

@Bluto

The term "Big government" that everyone is refering to coincides with the statement "All i want is the Democrats out of my pocket book and the Repubs out of my bedroom"  A over intrusive government wants to sell us on exploding electric cars and regulate the amount of water that our toilets use not to mention the social laws about who can marry who or whether or not it is polite to assasinate americans citizens when they have had no trial, To me that would be considered "Big government".

kURTje says

Thanxs S.R. for your poll on this.      

wiredmama222 says

I hope this one passes, no pun intended. 

I hate these lag bunny drivers who get in the left lane and sit there mile after mile and don't budge.  They go five mile UNDER the speed limit and you can't get past them. 

I have often prayed for a wide edge in the road to go around them (don't think I wouldn't but I would be the one getting the ticket) as they merrily drive off in the LEFT LANE  holding up a mile long traffic jam.  LOL

I think the police would enforce it and it wouldn't be too difficult.  I have seen police go right behind a left lane lag bunny and it is only then that the left lane lagger moves over. 

I can only hope to see those wonderful red and blue lights click on to move them to the side of the road as I go merrily on MY way as the lag bunny gets his or her ticket for holding up the traffic flow.

Oh, yes....pass this one. PLEEEEASSSSEEEE! 

6079 Smith W says

 EZOB writes:

"You are showing me that you not only want to abuse the speed limit but violate not only a safety law but my 'space'."

You only "rent" space, you never own it.

By helping to block two or three lanes and impeding the flow of traffic you are creating a potential hazard.

Lead, follow or get outa the way.

 

EZOB says

  I drive thousands of miles each year and this is a problem that causes a lot of road rage.  Yes, more drivers should be cited for impeding traffic, the law is in the books.  The left lane is usually smoother with less pot holes, especially in our area.  A lot of trucks that are the reaon for a lot of the pot holes choose to travel the left lane mandating that you pass on the right.  Do I pass on the right?  Yes, but I am very uncomfortable doing so.  I should be able to pass on the left.

    Maybe I was the guy in the left lane not going fast enough to please you even though I was already 5 or 6 mph over the posted speed limit.  You see, when you get on my rear bumper I automatically click off cruise control and slow down.  You are showing me that you not only want to abuse the speed limit but violate not only a safety law but my "space".  I consider this as signs of your road rage and really don't want to get involved in that type of driving.   There is one large word that is mostly forgotten in todays world that probably would cover 99% of the problem---"RESPECT""

sanduskysteve says

truth or dare - as has been stated prior - how is it that Ohio can't enforce this and every other state that has the same law isn't  having any problems with it at all?  The only reason the OSP is complaining is because they only want to sit and run radar - it's about the only thing they do. 

If you drive down the road and not be stopped for hours on end with your little radar gun in your hand pointing at passing cars, you would be able to tell very easily if someone is violating this law or not.  I wonder wha tthey would pay to have someone ride with them for a month or so and educate them on how to enforce this new law?

As for the speed limit - states all around Ohio have a higher speed limit than Ohio does.  It definitely clogs the system.  The reason why the cops don't like this is because they are afraid that with a higher speed limit in place - there may be less speeders.  Another rediculous theory.  There will always be speeders on the road no matter how high the speed limit is so no worries.

In fact with higher speed limits, the passing lane law won't have as much effect on the drivers and will be easier for OSP to enforce.

Those are pretty rediculous and ignorant excuses - but we wouldn't expect much else from the OSP now would we?

Truth or Dare says

Hey Outside lookin in:  BINGO!  You win, and are right on both accounts!  Even the Staties are shaking their heads about how this will be enforced.  Willie-Nillie I suppose!   I have to say though, I just loved' Maags' analogy to being a  bank-robber.  At the same time he wants to raise the speed limit to 70.  Really?  Don't they know speed kills?!  I get a talking too from my spouse whenever we're driving together and I'm  driving over 55-60 mph..  Says it's harder on the vehicle, not to mention burns even more fuel.  Points well taken.  

 

Bluto says

BW1 , This term Big Government is tossed around quite a bit . What exactly does it mean ? I don't believe there is such an animal as Small Government . It seems to be a term thrown around by people who can't comprehend the world past their nose . I consider myself a conserative thinker with a liberal heart . The two conflict constantly , but I feel that conflict keeps me honest.

BW1 says

Charger85 : That is a great idea... right up until traffic gets heavy.

Quite the contrary - it's in heavy traffic where it's most effective.

BW1 says

Bluto : HOLY CRAP !!!! Taxpayer and I agree on something ? I feel so dirty ; )

You and taxpayer are far more alike than either of you would like to think.  You're both statists at the core; the only difference is which direction you want to steer the Big Government you both desire.  You want it nosing around in people's wallets and Taxpayer wants it nosing around their bedrooms.  Two sides of the same totalitarian coin.

In the end what does it matter ? Even if your passing in the left lane , going over the speed limit there will still be another guy who wants to pass you going even faster

Which is why, properly enacted, this law typically is worded as a requirement to yield the passing lane to overtaking traffic, and that's how it's enforced in places like Germany.
 

BW1 says

Taxpayer : Another liberal "FEEL GOOD" law that will do absolutely NOTHING!

Taxpayer, once again you demonstrate that you don't even understand the ideology you claim to embrace.  There's nothing "liberal" about this measure - quite the contrary, it is quite conservative in favoring the most capable drivers.

It is IMPOSSIBLE to enforce. How will any police department or highway patrol enforce this idiotic proposal??

And yet, it IS enforced, DAILY, in various jurisdictions around the world.

BW1 says

xtensionofme : This has to be one of the dumbest proposals I've ever heard of! So they feel it's safer to have drivers constantly moving in & out of the right lane every time they encounter "granny" drivers, vehicles entering the highway & semis? Sounds like they'd be creating a safety hazard - not preventing one.

No, they don't FEEL it, they KNOW it from empirical evidence.

It's truly amazing how many people are substituting their flawed intuition for evidence here.  It seems a lot of the commenters need to expand their parochial view to include awareness that this is already the law in many other places, and that it has been quite effective.

Bluto says

Sanduskysteve , Sorry but I can get knit picky sometimes , one of my many character flaws , but eccentricites are what make people interesting ... and maybe a little annoying ; )

sanduskysteve says

Bluto - you are accurate.  Although I did not say it was a fact, just an assumption based on the positoin of the cars.  But you are right anyway.

Bluto says

You use words like assume , most likely , and appears that ... , none of which are exact evidence to whether they are passing or just keeping pace . You are ASSUMING and that isn't always fact . Things don't always appear as they seem. It is impossible to tell how fast or slow any of these vehicles are moving from a still photo.

sanduskysteve says

bluto - You can assume they are due to the fact that the only cars in the left lane are those who have cars in the lane just right of them - most likely going slower than they are.  It appears that with just a few cars in the left lane and with  cars to the right of them, and that would indicate to me that those cars in the left are passing those in the right.  Can't say for sure that they will return the the right lane when they are passed or not, fromthe photo anyway.

Bluto says

In the end what does it matter ? Even if your passing in the left lane , going over the speed limit there will still be another guy who wants to pass you going even faster . How will the tickets be handed out ? This is a waste of time , Oh yeah , it's an election year .

Bluto says

How can you tell they're passing from a still photo ?

sanduskysteve says

Did anyone notice that the photograph they showed only the cars passing are in the left lane already?

kURTje says

Last I knew the left lane was for passing (according to current driving laws in Ohio).   People NOT driving properly with courtesy reflect on attitudes nationwide.          Another reason America is in trouble.  Attitude , attitude,  its alll about  attitude.

Darwin's choice says

The law should be "when a vehicle is travelling in the left lane slower than other traffic, Nascar rules will apply and the following vehicle will be allowed to bump slower car to get their attention".

Outside lookin in says

These people are either trying to divert the public from the important issues or are total idiots.

sanduskysteve says

El Gaupo - it doesn't do any good to repost that part of the article since Taxpayer can't ready anyway.  If he could, he would have seen it the first time.  Because most Republicans can't make up their mind which side of the fence they want to be on - it creates these kinds of rants - mostly against thier own kind.

6079 Smith W says

I love to see the left lane "Sunday driver" slowpokes get p*ssed when I come up behind them and flash the headlights.

Lead, follow or get the #$$% outa the way!

 

Smart guy says

You are on the turnpike driving in the middle lane and are being passed on both sides you need to move right. Every time I use the turnpike I see this, and it is my belief that this can and does cause accidents.

So drive right pass left.

El Guapo says

I love how Taxpayer goes into a 1/2 page long rant out liberal this, socialist that, when he fails to see that his own republican party started this.  Just goes to show everyone, that Taxpayers psychosis has no basis in reality.

Taxpayer read this part of the article again,  since you love CAPS so much I capitalized the key word for ya. lol

Left-lane restrictions could make Ohio roads safer, this bill's sponsor said."If someone's in the left-hand lane and someone's trying to pass them on the right . that is dangerous," said REPUBLICAN state Rep. Ron Maag of Lebanon, in southwest Ohio. His measure would bar drivers from traveling in the left lane of a highway except when getting by a slower vehicle, using an exit on the left, allowing other motorists to enter the right lane, or when snow or other road conditions would make it unsafe to use the right lane.

looking around says

Hey TAXPAYER! That left lane is only for us LIBERAL UNION folk ! You stay the hell over on the RIGHT! Way center of right! WE BE PASS'N YOU BY!

norcalbuckeye says

 I for one think this idea is fine. how many times do you go to use the fast lane ,and there is some goof driving in it going the same speed as the  rest of the lanes, sometimes slower.Then of course they dont see the fifteen cars behind them, becuse they are too busy looking at the open unused mile of highway in front of their car.

Even when their is ample room in the slower moving lanes for them to go to, they just sit there, oblivius to what is going on around them.Then people start passing on the right to get arond them, and they still wont move over. Helloooo ! Goooff! Get off the flippin road.

Then as people try to navigate around them to the right or center lanes,thats what is dangerous,hectic, and stressfull.

The far left lane is for faster traffic, and if your  going to sit in that lane just to be in it and cause congestion and unsafe conditions, you should get a ticket.

I think this might help open that lane back up and keep the traffic flowing better.

ROTFLMAO says

samiam says

Another revenue source for the state.

Don S says

This law will help make traffic safer. It would be better if the law restricted commercal trucks to travel in the right lane only, accept to pass "another" truck.

grandmasgirl says

Sorry, but I am one of those "granny's" who gets ticked off when people drive in the PASSING lane for miles. I hate it when there are two cars traveling side by side and there is no way to get around them. Maybe some of you don't know that it is called a passing lane because you are supposed to PASS the car in the right lane and then signal and move back into the driving lane. It's not fair to the driver who needs to get to work on time, or is on their way to an appointment. If it bothers you like it does me, when you finally get around the car in the passing lane, just drive in the passing lane at 30 MPH until the driver who has no respect for others gets in the right lane.

Cracked Cherry says

 I will drive on either side of the road I want. I paid for the left lane just as much as I paid for the right lane. But for real, pass and get of the pot and get back in the right lane and stop holding up traffic. And use your dang cruise control too.

Doubt It says

I don't like the idea of more laws - they're just gonna pack it full of a bunch of nonsense wording and loop holes.  I don't need the government to tell me not to drive in the passing lane when I'm not passing anyone ... although some people do

Bluto says

HOLY CRAP !!!! Taxpayer and I agree on something ? I feel so dirty ; )

Kimo says

 

Re:Republican state Rep. Ron Maag of Lebanon" If someone's in the left-hand lane and someone's trying to pass them on the right . that is dangerous," 

Must be one of those "less government" tea party wingnuts.

LOL

 

Bluto says

I see how people use the passing lane . One passing at 90 mph with the guy behind them about 12 inches off his bumper . This law is a waste time . Come on , focus on real problems !!!

Taxpayer says

Another liberal "FEEL GOOD" law that will do absolutely NOTHING!  My citation?  It is IMPOSSIBLE to enforce.  How will any police department or highway patrol enforce this idiotic proposal??  They are too busy trying to catch speeders, people texting on cell phones, people crashing into each other and ALL the other traffic laws on the books.  This reminds me of liberal "FEEL GOOD" gun laws.  There are over 43,000 different gun laws across this nation.  Why don't you liberal freaks go to NYC or Newark, NJ and ask them how those strict gun laws are working out for them.  Oops, just take a walk down Hancock St. or in front of Firelands Medical Center and see for yourselves how all those gun laws work.  Here is a tip.  NO two-bit liberal thug cares one bit about any gun laws.  If they commit major crimes including MURDER, do you really believe they care about gun laws?  Here we have another politician trying to make another splash in making a name for himself under the false premise of "FEEL GOOD" legislation.  Even the highway patrol is questioning this wonder of consecrated political excreta.  How about you remember this when one of those teenagers without a driver's license decides to crash into you and hurt you or your family?  Oops, too busy enforcing left lane passing only!  Ha! Ha!  It reminds me of liberal environmentalist freaks DEMANDING everyone do as they say and PAY for those carbon credits and idiotic light bulbs.  Getting sick and tired of this socialistic HOAX yet?  Still feel guilty YOU are the cause for the end of the world?  Ha! Ha!     

WhatTheHeck says

 Never happen. Makes to much sense.

kURTje says

Fins is right.     Current laws state left lane is for passing.   I too go to Cleveland a lot, & it is aggravating when 2vehicles travel side by side resulting in backed up traffic behind them.  Pass , signal & get in the right lane.   Its that  E-Z.

hit the road jack says

You can tell the ameture drivers on here,I get tired of following someone from milan to sandusky in the left lane 50 mph with the phone stuck in their ear driving along someone and you cannot pass them and they wonder why their is such a thing as road rage.

xtensionofme says

 This has to be one of the dumbest proposals I've ever heard of!  So they feel it's safer to have drivers constantly moving in & out of the right lane every time they encounter "granny" drivers, vehicles entering the highway & semis?  Sounds like they'd be creating a safety hazard - not preventing one.  

 

Good 2 Be Me has the right idea:  don't our legislators have bigger fish to fry?

Charger85 says

That is a great idea... right up until traffic gets heavy.

Good 2 B Me says

What a joke. Seriously, don't our lawmakers have bigger fish to fry than this?