ATLANTA -- Riding in the fast lane could bring a fine for drivers who block the flow of traffic under legislation introduced today.
House Bill 1047 by Rep. Mark Butler, R-Carrollton, would impose a $75 fine for slowpokes.
The law already makes it illegal to block traffic in the left lane for motorists who refuse to move "once such person knows or should reasonably know that he or she is being overtaken in such lane from the rear." But there are exceptions for when conditions require a slower speed for safety, making a left turn and driving the speed limit.
Butler's bill would only add the fine. It still would not require someone driving the maximum speed to pull asside for someone who is speeding.
If passed, it would take effect July 1, in time for the informal start of the summer driving season centered on Independence Day.
I have said on here before that I can drive in the left lane and not move over for speeders, and what happened? I was ridiculed by other posters who said I had to drive in the right lane, and that I had to move over for speeders. This proves you did not know the law.
That kind of driving should be ridiculed, doesn't matter if it's against the law or not.
Only an angry and insecure person would be such a control freak and so smug about making life unpleasant for other people on the roadway. There are enough violent crazies out there on the road that it probably isn't such a great idea to provoke other drivers just because you're allowed to go no more than the speed limit in the left lane.
You might want to consider not hindering the smooth flow of traffic, even if it's trying to move faster than you approve of.
PLEASE PASS THIS BILL! happychimer, it's not a matter o having to move over for speeders, the law is to keep right unless passing or turning left within a few hundred yards. So move over!
But there are exceptions for when conditions require a slower speed for safety, making a left turn and driving the speed limit.DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT
So if people are driving slow in the right lane, and many making right turns, I will drive in the left lane and not go over the speed limit.The law is on my side.
My pet peeve...I'm in the right lane, going speed limit (or a little more), I nicely move to the left lane to allow a merging vehicle in. Then they get right beside you and you have to fly to get around them and back into the right lane. I'm not a slow poke driver, just don't want to go 85 in a 65 to get back into the right lane. There, got that off my chest. LOL
chimer - I am not "somebody". There is no threat a all in there, implied or otherwise. If you think that is a threat, call the RCSO, the Secret Service, the FBI and all your usual folks on your list. I'll be home waiting for them to knock on the door.
Happychimer use a little bit of common sense. You are in the left lane doing 55 the idiot coming toward you is in the left lane doing 55 the only seperating you from a 110 MPH head-on collision is about 24 inches or less of pavement. All it takes is for one of you to sneeze and babby it is lights out. BTW in europe it is a hefty fine for cruising the left lane and a whopping fine for passing on the right because it is so dangerous. Personally I love people like you who stay left until your exit comes up then you want to swerve right at which point you hit your brakes and snarl traffic. It is a good thing the police give a test in a empty parking lot, because I doubt you would make it otherwise.
'Chimer, I suspect you're the same kind of driver as you are a commenter, a causer of road rage and wrecks. We're so lucky to have such an upright citizen among us.
One last bit of explanation. There are many NASCAR fans in the Southeast. Brian France Jr has changed the rules this year to allow bump-drafting. If you happen to be going slow in the left lane on a Sunday afternoon after "all the drunks" have just been watching bump-drafting on TV at the bar, they might give it a try on the way home because they need to relieve themselves. Be safe out there!
So what is wrong with obeying the law? You have a problem with it? Oh well.
Fiat I believe you hit the nail on the head with your 3:17...
Just wait Fiat she will resort to her usual response any minute now....or she is sending emails out for back-up as we post.
The rule of the road is "keep right except to pass". Why do you have a problem with obeying those signs? They're posted along virtually every 4+ lane highway I've ever been on. You pick and choose what rules and laws you will obey? How about the one about loving your neighbor as yourself? How loving is it to jerk people around and annoy them deliberately?
If I'm going the speed limit (or slightly above), I'm not going to go out of my way to let some idiot who's endangering everyone's lives whiz past me. I don't care who you are. As long as you don't have flashing lights on your roof, I have just as much right to the road as you do. There's no defense for someone going 85-90 mph, it's just not safe.
Not too worried OBX. Same old, same old. It's got to be tough being so right all the time that people can't stand dealing with you.
Some of you don't know how to read. It is not against the law to go the speed limit in the left lane. If vehicles are going below the speed limit in the right lane, I can and will drive in the left lane and not go above the speed limit.
Fish, what about all the roadway signs that instruct drivers to "keep right except to pass"? They don't count for anything with you?
Does it occur to you that not moving over for someone who's flying down the interstate might be a more likely cause of a wreck than simply the speeder's speed? Think! Get out of the way and call the cops.
40-6-40.
(a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:
(1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;
(2) When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway, provided that any person so doing shall yield the right of way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within such a distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;
(3) Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; or
(4) Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.
(b) Upon all roadways, any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(c) Upon any roadway having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center of the roadway except when authorized by official traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the left of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes or except as permitted under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section. However, this subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the center of the roadway in making a left turn into or from an alley, private road, or driveway.
(d) No two vehicles shall impede the normal flow of traffic by traveling side by side at the same time while in adjacent lanes, provided that this Code section shall not be construed to prevent vehicles traveling side by side in adjacent lanes because of congested traffic conditions.
Not too many roads have a sign reading keep right except to pass. I do see signs reading slower traffic keep right. There are speed limits, so faster traffic in the left lane is not a license to go over the speed limit.
40-6-184.
(a)(1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation.
(2) On roads, streets, or highways with two or more lanes allowing for movement in the same direction, no person shall continue to operate a motor vehicle in the most left-hand lane at less than the maximum lawful speed limit once such person knows or should reasonably know that he is being overtaken in such lane from the rear by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed, except when such motor vehicle is preparing for a left turn.
(b) Whenever the commissioner of public safety or the commissioner of transportation or local authorities determine on the basis of any engineering and traffic investigation that slow speeds on any part of a road under their respective jurisdictions impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, such commissioners jointly, or such local authorities, may determine and declare a minimum speed limit below which no person shall drive a vehicle except when necessary for safe operation, and that limit shall be effective when posted upon fixed or variable signs.
Read this...Butler's bill would only add the fine. It still would not require someone driving the maximum speed to pull asside for someone who is speeding.
Fiat I guess the next time you or I are on Sand Bar Ferry or East Boundary and someone is "camping" in the left lane we will know who it is ;-)...
Fiat, I do keep right except to pass. Even so, when I am in the left lane, passing another vehicle, I often get somebody trying to drive up my tailpipe because I'm not passing fast enough. These are the idiots I'm talking about. If you're still offended, then you must be one of them, and I hope you try it next time you're behind me.
I tend to travel above the posted limits however I DO NOT IMPEDE OTHERS! Even while driving faster I stay in the right hand land until I pass someone. Why do people have to be so idiotic and contrary.
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