Road Rage #2: Advice for Left-Lane Riders

The biggest threat to all commuters - "the keepers of the speed" or left-lane riders. So who are these people you may ask? You might be surprised to find out that you are one of them. Please use this tool to determine whether you are a left-lane rider currently or have been one in the past. My advice would be to learn the warning signs of each Code Level and protect yourself by obeying the "best course of action" listed below each one.

Left-Lane Threat Levels

• Code Green - You are in the left-lane, the car behind you is less than a car-length away.
• Life is good at this point. No recognizable danger at the current moment.
• Best course of action is to proceed to the right-lane at the next possible safe opportunity.
  

• Code Yellow - You are in the left-lane, the car behind you is less than a car-length away and flashing their lights.
• You should be a little concerned at this point. Danger level has risen slightly.
• Best course of action is to proceed to the right-lane at the next possible opportunity.
  

• Code Orange - You are in the left-lane, the car behind you is less than a car-length away, flashing their lights, and beeping their car horn.
• You should be fairly concerned at this point. Danger level is at an elevated state.
• Best course of action is to immediately put on your right-turn signal and proceed to the right-lane even if it means cutting somebody else off.
  

• Code Red - You are in the left-lane, the car behind you is less than a car-length away, flashing their lights, beeping their car horn, and swerving from line to line (similar to a NASCAR driver keeping their tires warm before a race starts).
• You are facing an immediate threat on your life. Danger level is at an ultimate high.
• Best course of action is to speed up and use all possible methods to rid yourself of this car before harm is done to your car and/or body.
  

• Code Blue - You are no longer in the left-lane, the car behind you has pushed you and your slow car off the road.
• You have worn out the patience of the car behind you. You have ignored all previous warning signs and must now deal with the consequences. Because of your inability to remove yourself from the left-lane, damage has likely been made to you and your car. Whether it was your stubbornness or flighty nature that caused this accident is irrelevant - the fact of the matter is that you are annoying and disruptive to other drivers on the road.
• Best course of action is survival.