🚗 Unpopular Opinion: Lane Hogging Is Worse Than Speeding

Every time someone brings up right-lane hogging, we hear the same tired replies:

“I’m going at the speed limit — I’m not doing anything wrong.”

“Why do you need to go faster? You just want to speed.”

But here’s the reality:

Lane hogging disrupts traffic flow and creates more danger on the road than moderate speeding ever does.

The Real Issue Isn’t Speed — It’s Speed Variance

Accidents don’t usually happen just because someone is speeding. They happen when there’s a big difference in speed between vehicles.

Imagine traffic flowing at 90–100 km/h, and one driver in the overtaking lane (Lane 1) sits there doing 70–80 km/h. That driver becomes a road hazard — not the vehicles going slightly faster.

Here’s what happens next:

• Drivers are forced to overtake from the left

• Lane-switching and weaving increase

• Tailgating and road rage build up

• A bottleneck forms, even if other lanes are wide open

It’s not just inconsiderate. It’s dangerous.

Lane Discipline Matters More Than Speed Limits

Let’s take a look at Germany, where highway speeds regularly go beyond 160 km/h. Despite that, accident rates per vehicle are lower than in many “slower and safer” countries.

The key?

➡️ Strict lane discipline

➡️ Clear rules, followed by all

➡️ Respect for overtaking lanes

German drivers understand that “Keep Left Unless Overtaking” is a safety rule — not a suggestion. Slow cruising in the overtaking lane is not seen as virtuous. It’s dangerous and often penalized.

The Data Agrees

• US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): Most accidents are caused by sudden disruptions in traffic flow — not just by speeding.

• Michigan DOT Study: Drivers going 10–15 mph slower than the flow of traffic are more likely to cause or be involved in accidents.

• Swedish and German traffic models: High-speed traffic is safer when lane discipline is properly followed, compared to low-speed roads with poor lane behavior.

Here’s the Bottom Line

Someone going too slow in the wrong lane is often more dangerous than someone going fast in the correct lane.

Yes — reckless speeding, weaving, or tailgating is never okay. But guess what triggers those behaviors?

👉 Lane hogging.

If you're not overtaking, move left.

It’s not a suggestion. It’s a fundamental rule of safe driving.

TL;DR:

🚫 “I’m doing the speed limit” is not a free pass.

✅ If you’re not overtaking — keep left. Respect the flow. Stay predictable. Drive smart.

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Blog inspired by a Reddit post.

Source: reddit.com/r/drivingsg