Illegal to go too slow in the left lane

[zsdersw]

http://news.yahoo.com/video/proposed-legislation-ticket-drivers-going-220056654.html

Representative Bill Hitchens of Rincon has introduced House Bill 459 in the Georgia House of Representatives. It is legislation he refers to as the “slowpoke bill” that makes it illegal to drive in the far-left fast lane except when overtaking and passing other vehicles on the state’s highways and interstates. Hitchens says, "I always thought it was something that, good manners, your mama shoulda taught you. When somebody comes up behind you, you just move out the way." Representative Hitches was a state trooper for 30 years and believes that slow drivers in the fast lane can cause dangerous situations resulting in frustration and potential road rage. While a law currently exists that refers to proper lane usage, the Representative says that his proposal would strengthen and specify the existing, but little known law.

Sitting in the left lane going no faster (or worse, slower) than other vehicles is one of my biggest pet-peeves, but I don't think another law is going to make any difference; the police have too many other things to prioritize over stuff like this.

 

[nehalem256]

Doesn't this have the effect of creating a contradiction in the laws?

For example if the speed limit on a road is 70MPH, and everyone in the left lane is going 80MPH.

You could in effect be ticketed for driving the speed limit or for speeding? And there would in effect be no legal speed to drive in the left lane.

 

[zsdersw]

Doesn't this have the effect of creating a contradiction in the laws?

For example if the speed limit on a road is 70MPH, and everyone in the left lane is going 80MPH.

You could in effect be ticketed for driving the speed limit or for speeding? And there would in effect be no legal speed to drive in the left lane.

Yes, if you remain above the speed limit.. instead of exceeding the limit only to pass someone.

Personally, I'm opposed to speed limits in general.. but they're too popular (even though almost everyone regularly exceeds them).

 

[Newbian]

How is this different then the laws many states already having making this illegal or is it for just this state?

 

[Nintendesert]

Colorado has this law, signs are posted on the highways saying GTFO of the left lane except to pass. There are still retards that cruise below the speed limit in the left lane but at least I know they can be ticketed.

 

[zsdersw]

How is this different then the laws many states already having making this illegal or is it for just this state?

This is a proposal for Georgia only.

 

[Newbian]

This is a proposal for Georgia only.

Ahh then I am fine with that.

The more states make them and enforce it the less people will stop doing that crap.

 

[zsdersw]

Ahh then I am fine with that.

The more states make them and enforce it the less people will stop doing that crap.

Enforcement is where all laws fail... and this one in particular will be full of fail. The police are, at best, busy with too many other things that take precedence over this or, at worst, too incompetent.

 

[Newbian]

Enforcement is where all laws fail... and this one in particular will be full of fail. The police are, at best, busy with too many other things that take precedence over this or, at worst, too incompetent.

The problem is if many states have this law and some don't then when people go outside of such state they piss off people doing this and wonder why they get a ticket.

Make it a nation thing like seat belts so no excuses and less road rage.

Also that's why you have traffic cops who know what they are doing more then local cops.

 

[GoPackGo]

They will just install cameras and send you tickets in the mail.

 

[hal2kilo]

http://news.yahoo.com/video/proposed-legislation-ticket-drivers-going-220056654.html



Sitting in the left lane going no faster (or worse, slower) than other vehicles is one of my biggest pet-peeves, but I don't think another law is going to make any difference; the police have too many other things to prioritize over stuff like this.

Law hell, I always wanted a 20 mm aircraft cannon under my hood for those a-holes.

 

[Paul98]

The police already pull you over for anything they want and just make up the reason. Don't give them a new real reason.

 

[Newbian]

The police already pull you over for anything they want and just make up the reason. Don't give them a new real reason.

Where do you live as many states already have this law for a good reason?

 

[Jimzz]

As someone that has to flash his lights and honk at least 2-3 times every week due to people driving below the speed limit in the left lane; GOOD!!!

To bad this is not VA, but the more the better.

 

[Atreus21]

This may be idealistic, but I think a commonsense law about this would be very broad, like: No cruising in the passing lane. It would leave the definition of "cruising" at the discretion of the ticketing cop.

Of course, that leaves lots of latitude for the cop to act like a dick.

Shrug.

 

[hal2kilo]

The problem starts at the state driver license training level. When I learned to drive in Virginia. It was in the pamplets and the drivers training courses I took that the left lane is for passing and avoiding accidents only.

Having moved around and taken writtens in 2 other states (Calif and Washington) there's not even a mention of this what I thought was a rule (but not a law).

 

[zsdersw]

Also that's why you have traffic cops who know what they are doing more then local cops.

Even traffic cops have either too much to do or the wrong priorities.

 

[Juddog]

This law is pretty stupid.

Where I live now, and every other city I've ever lived in, the infrastructure / highway system was created before the population boom, so both lanes are constantly full of cars during the main commute hours.

 

[monovillage]

http://news.yahoo.com/video/proposed-legislation-ticket-drivers-going-220056654.html



Sitting in the left lane going no faster (or worse, slower) than other vehicles is one of my biggest pet-peeves, but I don't think another law is going to make any difference; the police have too many other things to prioritize over stuff like this.

It's also one of my pet peeves. Get out of the way of faster moving traffic.

 

[xj0hnx]

Yes, if you remain above the speed limit.. instead of exceeding the limit only to pass someone.

Personally, I'm opposed to speed limits in general.. but they're too popular (even though almost everyone regularly exceeds them).

I tend to agree, except that American drivers are too stupid, and too many cars on American roads are pieces of shit. In Germany the Autobahn is a beautiful thing, but coming here driving on the highway was a scary experience until I got used to it again. Over there what he is proposing is pretty much just how it is, very, very, rarely will you see someone staying in the left lane, unless they are just hauling ass, and people almost always get out of the way, and back over to the right lane immediately. Here you have dipshits that sit in the left lane going 5 under the speed limit, and if you come up on them they stay there on purpose as if they are entitled to block up traffic. American drivers are shit.

 

[nextJin]

This is how Germany operates their autobahn, it works because there is no speed limit. (I got upto 150mph in a Camero SS just to be passed by a BMW with a family of 4)

How this can work with speed limits I have no idea but it's a state issue so whatever.

 

[brandonb]

Colorado has this law, signs are posted on the highways saying GTFO of the left lane except to pass. There are still retards that cruise below the speed limit in the left lane but at least I know they can be ticketed.

Yep. I was ticketed for that when I was there.

Of course, I was in the left lane because there were 15 cops on the right shoulder giving out tickets. So instead of driving in the right lane in potentially creating a dangerous situation as I passed all the cops walking between the cars, I just moved over. And then one of the dickheads pulled me over for driving in the left lane when I was not passing.

 

[nextJin]

Yep. I was ticketed for that when I was there.

Of course, I was in the left lane because there were 15 cops on the right shoulder giving out tickets. So instead of driving in the right lane in potentially creating a dangerous situation as I passed all the cops walking between the cars, I just moved over. And then one of the dickheads pulled me over for driving in the left lane when I was not passing.

lol that is hilarious, you got screwed if true.

 

[kami333]

As someone that has to flash his lights and honk at least 2-3 times every week due to people driving below the speed limit in the left lane; GOOD!!!

To bad this is not VA, but the more the better.

It is the law in VA.

It shall be unlawful to fail to give way to overtaking traffic when driving a motor vehicle to the left and abreast of another motor vehicle on a divided highway. On audible or light signal, the driver of the overtaken vehicle shall move to the right to allow the overtaking vehicle to pass as soon as the overtaken vehicle can safely do so.

link

Sgt. F.L. Tyler, a public information officer with the state police office in Culpeper, said that applies even if the vehicle trying to pass is speeding, following too closely or operating in any other reckless manner.

"Leave it up to police officers to deal with any violations they might be committing. We'll handle that," he said. "But the law still requires you to move to the right and let them pass."

link

 

[xj0hnx]

It is the law in VA.

So long as they are next to another car, blocking passage ...

It shall be unlawful to fail to give way to overtaking traffic when driving a motor vehicle to the left and abreast of another motor vehicle on a divided highway. On audible or light signal, the driver of the overtaken vehicle shall move to the right to allow the overtaking vehicle to pass as soon as the overtaken vehicle can safely do so.