CHP Officer Joe Vega is, well, wrong (“Keep the left lanes on freeways for passing only,” Sept. 16). “Slower traffic keep right” is the law in California regardless of the speed limit. Vehicle code 21654(a): “Notwithstanding [despite] the prima facie speed limits, any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic … .”
Further, section 21753 requires “the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall safely move to the right-hand side of the highway in favor of the overtaking vehicle after an audible signal or a momentary flash of headlights by the overtaking vehicle, and shall not increase the speed of his or her vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.”
Road rage includes blocking other drivers. You don’t know if the other driver is rushing to the hospital or fleeing a crime. Blocking traffic encourages unsafe passing. Your responsibility is safety, not controlling other drivers. Don’t like it? Pull off the road and complain to the editor.
This article appears in Sep 30 – Oct 7, 2010.