U.S. drivers are profoundly ignorant, and often belligerently so. They block the passing lane (this is the biggest problem in U.S. transportation, no exaggeration). They don't signal. They can barely park.
And most of all, they're texting ALL THE TIME. They kill pedestrians, kill other drivers, and steal thousands if not millions of hours from the rest of us every day. This is actively abetted by politicians, who refuse to impose any significant penalties for texting while driving. It should be a DUI-level offense, with the same penalties... ruthlessly enforced.
I have written to my state senators more than once about this issue... to no response at all. None.
I can't recall the last time I saw someone in the passing lane that was driving under the speed limit (or prevailing speed when there's traffic) except when preparing to turn left.
The passing lane has nothing to do with the speed limit. It's for passing only, at ANY speed (with the unfortunate exception of truly bumper-to-bumper traffic). When you're done passing (or aren't passing), GTFO. That's especially true if someone comes up behind you.
Some states have laws saying so. Illinois law says it's illegal to block the passing lane for more than half a mile at ANY speed.
Now states need to take the next step and paint "passing only" in the left lane. We spend trillions on highways, and then let one jagoff waste it all by blocking traffic.
Ah. In my state, California, the passing lane rule only applies if you're not already going the speed limit or if there is traffic congestion, the normal speed of traffic. If you're going the speed limit, you are under no obligation to get out of the left lane just because someone behind you wants to speed. Regardless though you're supposed to move right if you're moving slower than the lane to your right.
It appears that Illinois law also has an exception for traffic congestion, but not for speed limits.
I don't know if it is or isn't part of the exam to get a license, but even if it is licenses are more or less good for life once you have them, so you're looking at decades before everyone on the road would have to have passed that portion of the exam.
