[mtngirl79]

Maybe the reason Washington drivers are so bad is because rather than just driving courteously and sensible, they get all caught up over who is right and who is wrong and what the laws are and how those laws should be interpreted... Just drive and don't mess up the flow of traffic and let the other guy in?

[Toonces]

[Bernardo]

The Washington State official driver's guide (page 36) states: On a road with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, stay in the right lane except to pass. On a road with three or more lanes traveling in the same direction, if there is a lot of entering or exiting traffic, use the center travel lane. Unless directed to do so by officials or signs, never drive on the shoulder of the road. Passing – On a road with two lanes traveling in the same direction, the left-hand lane is intended to be used for passing slower vehicles. On roads with more than two lanes traveling in the same direction, use the right lane for slower speeds, the middle lanes for higher speeds, and the left-hand lane for passing only. This official guide and the law say nothing about it being ok to stay in the middle lane if you are driving at the speed limit. The law specifically says to keep right unless passing. Aside from the law, the science of traffic flow supports the keep to the right rule. If two cars are approaching a car in the middle lane at different speeds, the car camping in the middle lane may end up blocking the slower of the approaching cars. This may or may not be justified, but you can't argue with the fact that middle lane travel impedes traffic flow.

[captain jack]

[Blue Dome]

[Blue Dome]

[SlingShot]

The whole topic of traffic complaints makes me sick to my stomach. Traffic is just one of the results from social diversity, Not saying its good or bad, it just is! Its how people have learned to behave over generations. Hate fuels the world, and it shouldn't! We have been conditioned to entitlement. Its always about "Me". One of my (many) traffic issues - What gives you the right to stop traffic behind you to let someone into traffic from a parking lot. Your extra nice to that one person, and piss off several others. I see this as a shellfish act. If you stop to let me out of a parking lot while traffic is flowing, your going to get the finger and then probably a few upset drivers. I drive 10-100 miles daily all over King and Snohomish Countys. I see it all. I've also had my share of mistakes and seeking accountability from others. What i've learned is the only one I have to account for is me and my actions. If I over react to A-hole on the road the other drivers see two A-holes! My fingers cant keep up with my thoughts. 2 things I truly belive will help traffic in this state. 1st is to remove the "Limit" word from our speed signs, this suggests that 40 in a 60 is ok. Many states speed signs read "Speed ##" or even "Speed minimum ##". 2nd is to redefine "Carpool" to two or more licenced drivers. A 5 y/o in the back seat is not easing traffic. Or even better, remove it all together and force buss to stay in right lane. I know there is no one solution and its taken 100 years of driving to get here.

[Blue Dome]

[Tom]

Probably has more to do with driving conditions (rain, traffic congestion, etc.) than driver. Portland is very similar in rank in the 2012 report.

[GeoHiker]

It's all those out of state drivers thinking they can drive like a bat out of hell in the left lane because they are used to that. Calm down, move to the right and let us natives have the left lane where it's nice and smooth. I like to look at the mountains and if Mt Rainer is out...well all bets are off. There are far too many raptors along the freeways now. Blame them...... We aren't all road raged to the max or in a gawd awful hurry to arrive 60 seconds earlier than YOU. We don't care about NASCAR and have no desire to learn. Driving isn't a sport, so get over it. If you really are that stressed over left hand drivers then go back to where ever you came from. Leave us natives alone. If 80% of the drivers are from out of state, then blame your cohorts. You've really screwed it up haven't you! Maybe it's time to build a couple more left hand lanes just for you?....or just deal with it like everyone else has to.

[moonspots]

[touron]

Camping in the Left Lane (with apologies to Brownsville Station) How you doin' out there? Y'ever seem to have one of those days where it just seems like the commute is just getting to ya, whether you're drivin to work or to the trail? Well, y'know, I used to have 'em just about all the time. But I found a way to get out of 'em. Let me tell you about it! Driving down the highway traffic's startin' to drag 50 in a 65 just ain't my bag The car beside me speeds up you know it's my cue Flash my signal light and I'm in lane number two Camping in the left lane Camping in the left lane Now people don't fill me up with your rules Cuz everybody knows that camping in the left lane's cool I wait another minute till I see a space that's free A twitch of the wheel and I'm in lane number three I'm with my camping buddies, I've hit the cruise control I tilt my seat back a notch, KING OF THE ROAD! Camping in the left lane Camping in the left lane Now people don't fill me up with your rules Cuz everybody knows that camping in the left lane's cool Wheel's set at 12 O'clock, speed at 65 Pop a can of soda, it's good to be alive There's campers piled up beind 100 end to end Uh--how did I create such a popular trend? Camping in the left lane Camping in the left lane Now people don't fill me up with your rules Cuz everybody knows that camping in the left lane's cool Think I'll slow down a tad fix something to eat Got makin's for a picnic, right in the back seat Burgers salad snack cake, this camper can boast And my cigarette lighter for a marshmallow roast Camping in the left lane Camping in the left lane Now people don't fill me up with your rules Cuz everybody knows that camping in the left lane's cool

[joker]

WA State Police bust left-lane squatters

[ejain]

[Daryl]

It creates traffic back ups which are inherently more dangerous than open traffic and it encourages people to pass on the right, which is very dangerous. I don't think a lot of people realize how dangerous passing on the right is, especially passing larger vehicles like semi's and RV's but pickup trucks and SUV's too. The blind spot on that side is much bigger and harder to check. I saw a semi with a bumper sticker on the left bumper that said "pass on this side" and a sticker on the right side that said "suicide on this side".