No, please, go ahead. Just keep going ten miles under the speed limit in front of me on the freeway. I don’t have any problems with this. This is fine. This is great. I’m not trying to get anywhere or anything. Nah, just keep doing what you’re doing. I don’t have anywhere I need to be.

I’m sure every driver has thought this—or even said this aloud—while driving to or from some place. It’s very annoying to be driving behind someone in the left lane—you know, the fast lane; the passing lane—and being forced to go five or ten miles under the speed limit because they don’t seem to have any cares in the world.

While every driver should know the left lane rule, it’s very apparent—especially in Washington state—that every driver does not know the left lane rule. Now if you go to somewhere else—take New Mexico, for example—you’re going to find that a lot more people know, and abide by, the left lane rule. It’s bliss down in New Mexico.

So for those of you who don’t know what the left lane rule is, it is when you are in the left lane, and someone is coming up behind you, obviously wanting to go faster and pass you, you get over to let them pass. You can always move back into the left lane afterwards; all you have to do is let them pass you and continue on their way. Most people don’t seem to know that, yes, this is a thing that exists.

It’s been a while since I’ve taken Drivers Ed, and I don’t tend to have the best memory as it is, but to my knowledge, I was never actually taught the left lane rule in the classroom. I believe I remember my instructor telling me about it while we were on a drive. But it was only us two in the car. And I can’t be sure she told any of the other students about it. It’s something that I honestly believe should be taught in Drivers Ed.

Road rage is sadly not something that exists and it can often escalate to really dangerous and crazy levels. From things I’ve witnessed myself, people not abiding by the left lane rule has caused some pretty intense road rage. Nothing I’ve seen with my own two eyes has ever led to violence, but I’ve seen some people get immensely angry when this happens. I’ve even had my fair share of massive frustration, especially if I am in a hurry. And some crazy people keep firearms in their cars. These are the people I am always worried to upset while driving, because I have no idea who these people could be. It could be the little, lime green Volkswagen beetle that just drove past. Or it could be the large Ford F-350 two cars ahead of you. Who knows?

So to all the drivers out there: please, please, please, if you don’t already know and follow this rule, please start. Don’t unnecessarily annoy and potentially anger the drivers around you when it is so easy just to let someone pass.