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And how to handle it without losing your cool
We’ve all been there. You’re on a long stretch of road, stuck behind a driver who’s in no hurry whatsoever. The minutes tick by, the scenery drifts past, and you’re just biding your time until that glorious sign appears: Passing Lane Ahead.
You’re already picturing the smooth overtake. A quick, safe pass and freedom at last. But then - just as the lane opens up - they speedup. Suddenly they’re matching your ideal pace, and overtaking would mean breaking the limit.
Fine, you think. At least they’ve woken up a bit. Except… the passing lane ends, and down goes their speed again, right back to that leisurely crawl.
Sound familiar? You’re not imagining it—and the reason it happens is surprisingly simple.
The psychology behind it
Researchers say it comes down to how safe the road feels.
A wide, smooth passing lane lowers our brain’s sense of risk. Without even noticing, we give the accelerator a nudge.
Road noise plays a part too - on rough chip seal or gravel, the rumble of tyres says “ease off.” On a freshly sealed, whisper-quiet surface, our brains hear “you’re safe, go faster.” The result? Even drivers with no intention of overtaking can end up speeding up, making life trickier for those behind.
Stay cool
Knowing why it happens makes it easier to handle—and to avoid doing it yourself:
- Expect the speed-up – Assume the car ahead might accelerate in the passing lane.
- Give yourself room – If it’s safe and legal, allow for the possibility of a longer overtake.
- Don’t get caught in the frustration loop – A calm head keeps your driving safer and smoother.
- Check your own habits – You might be unconsciously doing the same thing.
Passing lanes should help traffic flow, not spark frustration. By understanding the psychology at play, you can keep your cool, stay safe, and be the steady driver who makes the road better for everyone.
Safe travels, and remember: steady speed = happy traffic.
For more on this phenomenon, check out this article.
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