I feel compelled to create a poster explaining the etiquette of driving in the left lane (aka the fast lane); however, that's best left for professionals like The Oatmeal.  Until then, let's review some basics:

There are three (3) road conditions to address:  One lane only roads, 2 lane roads and 3 & more lane roads.

One Lane Only Roads

Whether it's a highway or a country road, I've seen where a vehicle will briefly go over the shoulder to allow those behind them pass —Whether that's one vehicle or three, they let them pass.  That is common courtesy.  Those who do that are basically acknowledging their discomfort with going any faster, but also respecting the needs of others ... regardless of the posted speed limit.  Let me say that in a different way ...

There are drivers out there that drive on a one-lane road that are uncomfortable going any faster than what they're already doing, regardless of the posted speed limit, but have the common courtesy to move over into the shoulder to allow others who would like to go faster pass.  That is, they're willing to violate the law by driving onto the shoulder, however brief, to get out of the way.

For those who do that, thank you. I have a lot of respect for you.  I really do.  I wished there were more of us that do that.

Two Lane Roads

Simply put, I view such roads as having a passing lane. If you're in a groove, especially when you're going long distance, do so in the right lane.  Yes, I know that means that you have to get back to the left lane to pass a car or two. But please do so and go back to the right lane.

Spoiler alert:  You'll quickly realize a trend here with what I'm about to say.  If you are driving in the left lane (the passing lane in this case) and you are going slower than any one car in the right lane or at the same speed, then you need to slow down or speed up and move over to the right lane as soon as possible.  Otherwise, someone like me will likely cut you off.

Allow me to explain ...
Regardless of my speed, or the posted speed limit, if I'm going at a good clip, I'm still going to treat the right lane as the base lane. In other words, no matter how long I may stay in the left lane, it's only to pass vehicles and I will return to the right lane.  It's a passing lane and I take that literally. While in the left lane, should I come up to a car that's just there in the left lane, I will flash my lights requesting they move.  I will even give them a few seconds to react recognizing that not everyone reacts the same way or at the same pace.  If they're not budging, I will quickly evaluate the reasons.  If there's no one next to them in the right lane, then I make it a point to cut them off.

No, I do not cut off people in the right lane.

3+ Lane Roads

The same 2 lane rules apply, really.  But here, there's a phenomena I experience on highways that I simply do not understand.  You have those that signal to change lanes from the right or middle lanes. I can understand if the next exit, "split" or even a multi-vehicle lane requires one to be in the left lane; but if there is not a change for a few miles I simply do not understand why some insist on changing lanes despite going slower than the next left lane to them.  Some go to extremes —They signal for some time, and insist on entering traffic to their left at all costs.  Mind you, they do so without even trying to match their speed to the lane they're dying to enter.  Why? What's their drive? I wished I knew.

For those, I'm sincerely torn between rewarding their behavior for signaling or punishing them for their inconsideration.  It's on a case by case basis, but I must admit that the latter tends to take over more times than not.  Perhaps it's because I feel that they want to come into the lane I'm in and go their speed, their way, etc. regardless of what I or anyone else were doing.  Anyone else feels that way?

My initial reaction is to reward their behavior for signaling, but my physical reaction is to check the signs for any upcoming exits, merges, etc. But I'm familiar with the roads, and so I get mad first at myself for allowing them to get into the lane —and now in front of me.

I know writing about this (and reading it) seem like I'm over thinking it, but keep in mind how fast that thinking process takes.  We're talking seconds or even fractions of a second here.  Am I alone in my left lane expectations?

If I am, let me tell you it gets worse.  I'm dumbfounded when I pass cars in the middle lane, following each other, with no cars on either side, and the last car gets too close and brakes ... several times.  In other words, there are 3 or 4 cars following each other in the middle lane.  The last car, like the ones in front of it, has the option to change lanes without much effort since there are no cars in either the left lane or the right lane.  Yet, the driver in that last car gets too close and brakes, continues in the middle lane and gets close again.  Only to brake again.  This happens 3 or 4 times as I pass them in the left lane.  Yes, seriously!!  I'd like to think that it didn't continue to happen, but in my heart, I knew it probably did.  I need to give those morons a name.  Any ideas?  I can't help but think of the DoDos from Ice Age (I think part 3).

This may have been a rant, but these drivers bother me enough that I thought about asking like minded drivers to send pictures of such horrible drivers to be posted on a driver hall of shame type of page.

What are your pet peeves about left lane drivers? Share them with us in the comments.