Is lane choice based purely on preference?

[Matt Harper]

Turkey Lake Service Plaza on FL Turnpike in west Orlando, is also in the middle - and given that the outside lane in each direction is often the slowest in terms of traffic speed, it doesn't appear to be an issue. There is a FHP command center at this location too - so usually a LOT of speed control activity in that location.

[GroundShot]

I'm an American and have lived both on the east coast and in California. In the big cities like LA it's more of a free-for-all. However, on rural roads staying in the right lane except to pass is typically followed very strictly. Same thing with 2-lane interstates. In VA they are passing a law that says if you're in the left lane you have to be going the speed limit or you can be pulled over.

As far as the flashing headlights thing, it's used often for trucks. Of course, it's more common for speed traps. Also, the likelihood of you getting pulled over for it is slim to none. Courts rule all the time that it is protected free speech.

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5130399

[element6]

In the majority of east coast states in the US, interstate and state highways with 2 or more lanes typically display signs saying: "KEEP RIGHT, PASS LEFT"

..because it is the law in those states. FL is one of them. It's always lovely to encounter an oblivious driver who is sitting in the left lane keeping pace with another driver on the right and preventing the flow of faster traffic. It happens all too often here. Definitely frowned upon, definitely annoying, and definitely creates dangerous situations.

In denser traffic, like Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, etc, it is pretty much a free for all because there is always so much traffic on 95 and the turnpike. But north of Broward County, keep right, pass left is a very hard topic for some people to grasp. In more rural areas of east coast states, this also applies, but for the most part, the majority of residents of northeastern states aren't as oblivious to this rule unless you are in urban areas like Boston, NYC, Philly, etc.

[element6]

Here ya go:
http://jalopnik.com/5501615/left-lane-passing-laws...

[scottyrocks]

I have generally found that the closer you are to a major metropolitan area, the less people abide by the fast/slow lane conventions.

All I have to do is drive an appreciable distance from the NYC metro area, and people actually stay to the right (slower) lanes, leaving the left lane for faster traffic and passing.

However, anytime I see a bottleneck away from the NYC area, it almost always involves a car with NYS plates on it. People here generally seem to think they can do whatever they want, regardless of where they are.

Of course, YMMV.

[unrepentant]

Here in Indiana they've just passed a law requiring traffic to move over after passing, even if you're doing the speed limit. We'll see how it works out....