It’s important to read why drivers have been mislead and confused over a period of 21 years. A simple explanation is in the full text placed here for your convenience. You’ve read the obvious, now read the reason why …
June is Lane Courtesy Month: With summer just around the corner and visions of vacations dominating Americans’ thoughts, our highways will experience a dramatic increase in traffic. To enhance the travel experience for motorists, the National Motorists Association (NMA) has designated June as Lane Courtesy Month and is kicking off the campaign with the slogan, “Do the RIGHT Thing!”
Lane Courtesy, also called Lane Discipline, has a powerful influence on highway safety, traffic flow and congestion. Arguably, its effect is more important than speed limits, traffic enforcement or any other attempt to control driver behavior. Ask almost any motorist what most raises their ire when using major highways and the answer will be “failure of slower traffic to keep right or yield to the right when faster traffic approaches.”
The concept, or ethic, of lane courtesy evolved in the United States with the development of the interstate system. However, the concept of slower traffic yielding to the right for faster traffic has its origins in the older system of two-lane highways. Almost all states have a provision in their traffic law that requires slower traffic, upon being signaled by a following vehicle, to pull to the right to allow the faster traffic to pass.
Prior to 1973, rural speed limits reflected typical travel speeds. Consequently, slower vehicles that were not driving the speed limit, were much less likely to deliberately block the progress of faster traffic. The 55 MPH National Maximum Speed Limit changed all that.
After 1973, there was a serious disconnect between speed limits and the actual speed of traffic. There was also a total breakdown in lane courtesy. The slower traffic that would normally stay in the right hand lane could now linger anywhere on the highway, in any lane, and still be traveling at the legal maximum speed of 55 miles per hour. This counter productive process was reinforced over a period of 21 years, influencing a whole generation of new drivers.
In 1995 the 55 mph National Maximum Speed Limit was repealed and several states raised speed limits to put the limits more in concert with the reality of highway travel. However, the almost quarter century habit of wallowing anywhere on the highway did not disappear with the advent of new speed limit signs.
The lane courtesy ethic must be reinvigorated, promoted and recognized for the contribution it can make toward safer, faster and more enjoyable travel. We hope the NMA’s “Do the RIGHT Thing!” campaign and declaring June as “Lane Courtesy Month” will reawaken interest and support for this incredibly important and positive traffic safety concept.”
The full text from the promotion by the National Motorists Association can be found online at http://www.motorists.org/lanecourtesy/home/june-is-lane-courtesy-month/.
Malibu is a “Scenic 27 Miles” of coastal splendor that appeals to over 12 million visitors annually. Four miles, from Malibu Surfrider in the heart of Malibu to Topanga are hazardous, where the speed limit is justifiably lower. Until Caltrans can place appropriate signage, it’s important that Malibu drivers serve by example to help protect the vulnerability of the right lane in this area, which is where most accidents have occurred. Prevent the speeders from weaving into the right lane by keeping to the right lane when not passing and protecting the right lane from speeders. Help keep speeders to the center lane, stop the weaving and road rage, and exercise extreme caution around this area, as well as the three-mile Zuma Beach area. These areas require your alertness. It may only take a few more minutes to drive through but it may save a life.
Hopefully we’ll have a safer and calmer PCH this summer.
Bob Purvey