Left lane is the new slow lane on many roadways
QWhen did the “passing lane” become the new slow lane? Consistently, when
I drive westbound on Ygnacio Valley Drive into Walnut Creek, most vehicles are in the “passing lane,” then the center lane, with the slow lane usually wide open.
Do people think they'll get to where they're going faster by clogging up and going slow in the passing lane?
Or did the driving laws change and I missed it? Gerald Fogel, Concord
AYes, your observation is right about relative lane speeds now on many city streets, and sometimes the freeway.
The laws didn't change, but drivers' choices and behavior have. A few years ago, a traffic cop scolded me for saying there was no fast or slow lane on a wide city street, but I still disagree. So many people think the far left lane will be faster and they just need to look around to see what the reality is on that street at that time.
Now we'll flip to another road that has gotten a lot of attention, only this time the news is better.
QHighway 17 between Los Gatos and Santa Cruz has its challenges, but it is not a bad road. It is a mountain road, not a freeway. There are some drivers who don't know how to drive a mountain road, while others treat it like a raceway or at least a standard freeway. Add the heavy traffic that has become common on that stretch.
All, or at least almost all modern cars, can handle that road well and take it at a decent speed, forgetting traffic. How many driving instructors take their students on a mountain road or even mention mountain road driving techniques? Art Beatty, Los Altos
AAt least one. Annethe-Roadshowdaughter was shocked when her driving instructor took her over Highway 17 on her first day of behind-the-wheel driving. She was scared to death, but successfully navigated the mountain road.
In more Highway 17 news, Caltrans soon will begin overnight lane closures of one northbound and one southbound lane at Hebard Road to Highway 9 for pavement rehabilitation, highway striping,
Driving instructors have been known to surprise their students with a trip on Highway 17. guardrail repair and highway maintenance. Construction will begin Monday and be completed this summer. Work is currently scheduled to be done by July.
QThe U.S. government allows 62.5 cents per mile driven as a tax deduction, which is pretty close to the actual cost. I find the incremental cost of driving express lanes to be reasonable in comparison. Driving is expensive, even without tolls. Time is valuable, too. Everyone is free to choose. M. S., Palo Alto
AYes, we are. For some, express lanes are an asset, even if only occasionally.