CHP - Life In the Fast Lane - Episode 1.mov

Hello and welcome to ‘Life in the Fast Lane.’
Life in the Fast Lane is a program to inform and remind
California drivers about our traffic laws, safe driving practices,
common courtesy, and common sense while driving.
Each and every day,
the CHP patrols over 100,000 miles of California roadway,
to fulfill our pledge of safety, service, and security
to people of this state.
As we do, we see every type of driving behavior.
While issuing traffic citations is clearly one of
the methods we use to educate drivers,
it is impossible to share our traffic safety message
one person at a time through enforcement.
So our goal with Life in the Fast Lane is to educate,
and partner with you to create a safe,
and courteous driving environment for you, your family,
and the law enforcement community that serves you.
Welcome to Life in the Fast Lane.
Welcome back.
Today’s message: Move over - Safe a life.
On today’s program, we’re going to talk about driving in the Fast Lane.
As we begin, let’s look at a diagram of a freeway with 4 lanes.
When law enforcement refers to a particular lane, we refer to it by number.
Beginning on the left side of the diagram, we have the center median,
then immediately to the right, we have the number 1 lane,
commonly referred to as the ‘Fast Lane,’ or ‘Passing Lane,’
then as we move right, each lane is numbered sequentially
the 2 lane, the 3 lane, the 4 lane, and finally, the right shoulder.
Of course, this all depends on how many lines on a given roadway.
There is, however, an exception to the lane numbering rule,
and that is when there’s a carpool lane.
The carpool lane stands alone,
and is referred to as the Carpool, HOV, or Diamond lane.
In this case, the first lane right of the carpool lane is designated as the number 1 lane.
As we discuss lane changes in today’s program,
we will refer to lanes by lane number or by their commonly used names.
Let’s begin with a discussion of driving in the number 1 lane, or fast lane.
I can really sum it up by saying, be courteous, be considerate of others,
and don’t claim ownership of the lane just because you’re going the speed limit.
Try to think of the fast lane more as a passing lane than a driving lane.
You may say, ‘If I’m going the speed limit,
‘I have just as much right to be there as anyone.’
While that may be true, there are other factors you should consider.
For instance, here are 5 simple reasons to keep the number 1 lane as open as possible.
Number 1, it allows emergency vehicles the opportunity to move
through traffic easily and safely, when responding to emergency incidents.
Number 2, it allows other drivers to pass by on the left when freeway traffic in
other lanes is traveling below the posted speed limit.
Number 3, your speedometer may not be calibrated properly,
and you may actually and unknowingly be traveling below the speed limit in the fast lane
Number 4, it gives drivers who are in the center median an opportunity
to merge back into traffic safely
Number 5, because impatient, angry drivers exist - they’re out there.
The more impatient and angry a driver becomes,
the more risks they are willing to take to get around
what they view as a slow driver in the fast lane.
I’m sure that at some point many of you have seen
or have been that impatient and angry driver.
Let me ask you this question:
How many times have you been in the fast lane,
doing the speed limit, when suddenly a speeding driver comes up behind you,
passes by you on the right, then changes lanes rapidly in front of you -
almost cutting you off,
then speeds off into the sunset?
The truth is, drivers who speed and make rapid or unsafe lane changes
to get around slower moving traffic contribute to many of our accidents.
With that said, I have a request:
PLEASE, do not adjust your driving speed
or maneuver your vehicle into traffic lanes
in an effort to regulate or control the flow of traffic on the freeway.
Leave traffic management to the law enforcement community.
There are times when the well-intentioned efforts
of some drivers end up angering other motorists,
and may actually lead to an accident or a confrontation with other drivers.
You never know who’s in the vehicle behind you,
and there has been an increase in freeway violence in recent years.
Some because impatient drivers got angry at how someone else was driving.
Stated simply: it’s just easier to stay calm, and move safely out of the fast lane.
It’s important for you to know the CHP does not condone exceeding the speed limit.
But we do recognize that some drivers have a tendency to drive faster,
and to exceed the speed limit.
That’s why we’re out there.
So, when those drivers end up behind you, move over,
let them pass, and let law enforcement handle them. 85 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:28,300 And an added bonus for you: moving over will reduce your driving stress,
and theirs, and ultimately contribute to the safer and more orderly driving environment.
So I ask you today to help us out. Please - Move over, Save a life.
Thank you for joining us today on Life in the Fast Lane.
If you have any questions about our program, our traffic laws -
visit our website - click on the ‘Ask the Traffic Wizard icon.’
When you do, you’ll be able to email the traffic wizard
and he will gladly answer your questions about traffic laws,
and safe driving practices.
See you next time on ‘Life in the Fast Lane.’
And remember: Move over - Save a life.