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Originally Posted by Uncle Bob Riding in the left third of the lane ( in right hand drive countries ) is the prefered method showed by MSF.
This way you take control of the lane, are more visible to drivers in passing lanes, are more visible to oncoming trafic, are more visible in the mirors of the guy in front of you and keeps you off the center of the road where oil and other fluids from vehicles accumulates. |
Not to be posting in the basement archives, but this deserves a comment. Uncle Bob makes a very good point.
Over the years I've noticed that if I am in the 1/3 of the lane directly in front of a car behind me, they give me much more distance normally. In the right 1/3 they are usually ready to kiss my tailpipe because I'm not a concern directly in front of them. Drifting left and then back to the right will usually cause them to back off to a safe distance.
In LA traffic, it is sometimes safer to be in the right 1/3 of the fast lane because the gap between lanes is the only escape route if you need it. Many freeways have no left shoulder to the left of the fast lane. Any attempt to avoid something in that direction places you immidiately into a 30 inch tall concrete barrier. The other option is to get squished between two cars!
Just my humble opinion from riding around for the past few (32) years. Most of the time I am in the left 1/3. Never the center, especially when it hasn't rained here in a while. It becomes an oil slick! OK, I'm done in the basement now!