Driving & Driving Test Tips: Passing then turning, lane changes, question concerns

Question
Hello!

My question concerns people passing me and then turning.

On a 4-lane highway (2 lanes northbound and 2 lanes southbound) that goes through the business district, I regularly have people pass me. I drive the speed limit and stay in the right-hand lane.

Once the person gets in front of me, he or she drives maybe 200 feet or so and turns off into a parking lot.

I barely have time to slow down. This makes no sense to me. Why not just stay behind me a few more feet and then turn off?

I`d like to know if this is illegal or just bad driving or if it is perfectly okay.

Thank you and stay safe!

Answer
For the specific situation you mentioned, there is no specific law against it, only that you should not make those kind of lane changes with 100 ft.  

But as a safety issue, you are right; it is foolish to go to all the trouble of a lane change if you are going to exit.  Another personal favorite is tailgating someone driving in the right lane to get them to increase their speed.  That is both foolish and dangerous.

I commend you for your healthy attitude towards driving.

Michael