(He’s getting a raise and promotion)

Because we don't have a government anymore. We have a criminal regime.

It really sets them off.

But if that’s what he wants, this might do it. Idiot.

one should not be in the left lane unless passing. I have always been a bit confused about that as it is my understanding that if one is going at or near the speed limit, driving in the left lane is lawful. That question arose a few years ago on a call-in radio program who had a local police traffic sergeant as the guest. He stated that was in fact the case.

That was in Alberta so I suppose the rule may vary from place to place but it seems pretty inefficient from a traffic perspective to limit an entire lane only for passing especially with heavy traffic volume times.

You can drive in the left lane as often as you like, for example if right lane has been pounded to rubble by heavy trucks. But you can't block traffic in the left lane.

a lot of drivers think you are blocking traffic even if you are doing the speed limit.

If someone is behind you and you are not passing traffic and:
You are doing less than the speed limit, move over to the the right.
You are doing the speed limit, move over to the the right.
You are doing more than the speed limit, move over to the the right.

If someone is behind you and you are passing traffic and:
You are doing less than the speed limit, move over to the right when you can safely move over.
You are doing the speed limit, move over to the right when you can safely move over.
You are doing more than the speed limit, move over to the right when you can safely move over.

This is not rocket surgery.

Let the other drivers think what they want. Just drive safely and legally.

In Alberta, as I mentioned before, it is legal to drive in the left lane if you are going at or near the speed limit.

Your are NOT obligated to pull over for someone behind you that wishes to exceed the speed limit.

As a matter of principle BTW, why should it be required to yield to someone who wants to exceed the speed limit? This is reminiscent IMO of those who belly-ache about speed cameras and seatbelt laws.

https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=2002_304.cfm&leg_type=Regs&isbncln=9780779856923&display=html

Part 1 Division 1 Section 2 (1)(b) says in the left lane you must drive at or near the speed limit, except for (because subject to this Part including):

(1)(c) which says a person shall not " (c) drive a vehicle at such a slow rate of speed so as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic then existing on a highway except when it is necessary to do so for the safe operation of the vehicle"

Section 2(1)(c) means that you can't impede traffic in the left lane by going at the speed limit when existing traffic is moving faster and it means you can't enforce speed limits by driving in the left at the speed limit.

(2) says despite (1)(b) "a person driving a vehicle on a highway at a speed that is below the maximum speed limit that is established or prescribed for that highway may drive the vehicle in the traffic lane nearest to the centre line for the purpose of overtaking and passing another vehicle."

So by (2) you can pass another vehicle at slower than the limit.



Section 3(1) means the speed at that time and place then existing (normal at that time and place). So if the traffic is flowing faster than the speed limit you have to drive in the right lane to get out of its way.

I don't understand your interpretation of 2(1)(C). Are you saying that "the normal and reasonable movement of traffic" includes travelling at over the speed limit?

And how does the "you can't enforce speed limits" derive from 2(1)(c)?

It seems clear to me that if you are driving under the speed limit, you should be in the right lane and if you are driving at or close to the speed limit, you are free to drive in any lane. If you drive over the speed limit, you are breaking the law in any lane (IIRC that applies to even passing on a two lane road or highway).

If it is flowing over the limit, as does happen sometimes in some places, it is not for the motorist to decide if it "reasonable". If it is flowing then it is in some ways reasonable (not immediately or commonly injurious) because it is flowing. It is the motorists responsibility to not impede.

You are not free to impede. If you don't want to drive with the flow above the speed limit in the left lane, drive in the right lane where you will be protected by the law if you drive at only the speed limit in the right lane (subject to weather, etc.)

I don't see any specific prohibition on speeding while passing on a two-lane, or other, road anywhere in the law. What subsection you see that in?

It does though seem ambiguous in not defining more closely what "reasonable traffic flow' actually is. And who makes that determination, the motorists, the police, a judge?? Certainly you are not free to impede but how can you be considered to be impeding traffic if you are driving at the speed limit? Have you ever heard of anyone being pulled over and/or fined for such a thing?

If "flowing" traffic is deemed "reasonable", that also sounds like a recipe for speed creep (above the limit) which BTW is quite evident now where driving at the speed limit usually results in most everyone passing you, whatever lane you are in.

What if traffic flow was, say 20 or 30 over the limit? At what point does it become unreasonable - 40 over, 50??

I don't have a cite on speeding while passing - it is only something I recall from the distant past. It may have changed now and maybe it is left to the traffic cops' or judges' discretion(?).

ETA:

.........................

Just for the heck of it, I posed the question to ChatGPT5 which replied as follows:

Is it legal to exceed the posted speed limit if most other traffic is also speeding?

ChatGPT said:

No — in most jurisdictions, it is not legal to exceed the posted speed limit, even if "everyone else" is doing it.

Here’s how the law usually works:

Speed limits are absolute (or “statutory”) rules. If you drive faster than the posted limit, you are technically in violation, regardless of surrounding traffic.

“Keeping up with traffic” is not a legal defense. Courts generally do not accept “everyone else was speeding” as justification, though it might sometimes influence whether police choose to enforce against you.

Exception – “basic speed law.” Many places (such as Canada and U.S. states) also have a basic speed law that says you must drive at a speed that is “reasonable and prudent for conditions.” This means you can be ticketed for going too fast for road/weather/traffic conditions even if you’re below the limit — and in very rare cases, you might avoid liability if speeding was necessary to avoid an imminent hazard (for example, swerving to avoid a collision).

Practical enforcement. Police often exercise discretion. If the whole flow is going 5–10 km/h (or mph) over, they may target the fastest or most erratic driver. But legally, everyone speeding is subject to a ticket.

👉 Bottom line:
Legally, you cannot exceed the posted limit just because most traffic is speeding. From a safety standpoint, however, it’s often recommended not to drive dramatically slower than surrounding traffic either — so the safest option is usually to keep right, stay near the limit, and let faster vehicles pass.

......................................

I see nothing to disagree with there...

Smug drivers purposely bottling up the passing lane cause road rage and deaths, and for no reason other than they feel superior and “right “

Unfortunately, that drives road rage types and aggressive drivers nuts. I get on I5 sometimes and it seems as if people enter the road with the sole intent to pass everyone. It's like NASCAR with all the unnecessary lane changing. People are awful.

Some shmoo driving at or a bit above the speed limit in the left lane and 4 or 5 cars right behind him, all tailgating. They expect the lead car to pull over to the right lane so they can speed past. And yeah, lane swerving galore...

I had that happen to me once when a minivan with a crazed dude driving came up within a couple of feet of my rear bumper. On the front of the van, in reversed lettering (like you sometimes see on the front of ambulances), that read in the rearview mirror "If you can read this, your in my way". He finally swerved around me and sped past giving me a dirty look.

"The newest US tourism commercial just dropped".