I think you should be able to just push them off the road.
ATLANTA --- Legislation to fine poky lane hogs is speeding along with a firm push from the House on Monday after a quick debate.
The House voted 129-29 in just seven minutes to pass and send to the Senate a bill that would set a minimum fine of $75 for any motorist driving less than the speed limit in the left lane who refuses to pull to the right when a faster vehicle approaches.
Rep. Mark Butler, R-Carrollton, said when he introduced House Bill 1047 it was to address a common complaint of drivers.
"I don't think I'm alone in saying this, but there are so many times when you're alone on a four-land road, and people will get over in the left-hand lane, which by law is supposed to be used for passing, and will just sit there and use it as their own personal drive-out lane, and they may be going 50 miles per hour. It's slowing down traffic," he said. "It's frustrating."
Hogging the left lane at slower speeds is already against the law, but state officials say they don't track tickets in a way that allows them to report how many are written for it each year.
Neither the existing law nor Butler's bill would affect drivers who are maintaining the speed limit. Butler said he wouldn't encourage anyone to exceed the speed limit.
Bob Dallas, the director of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, describes the bill as helpful to officers in enforcing lane discipline.
"Driving in the correct lanes, at the correct speeds, has the possible effect of reducing crashes and increasing the vehicle-carrying capacity of our highways," he said.
The AAA Auto Club South sees a benefit, spokeswoman Jessica Brady said.
"Granted, it may seem odd to fine people for driving too slow, but it could help avoid some dangers," she said.
"As long as they're not allowing speeders to speed and get away with it, in the same respect they are not allowing someone to go well below the speed limit."
The measure needs a vote by the Senate and the governor's signature to take effect July 1.
State lawmakers are again stopping the clock on the legislative calendar to give them more time to agree on a budget and move a crush of bills through committee. The Senate and House each voted Monday to move Crossover Day -- the deadline for a bill to pass at least one chamber -- to Friday. It had been set for Thursday.
-- Associated Press
Comments
I think you should be able to just push them off the road.
Now if they'd just ticket those without lights on in the rain we might just accomplish something else worthwhile.
NASCAR rules should apply. As you approach, give them a flash of the high beams, and if they don't move over, put 'em into the wall.
(tongue firmly in cheek)
So we now enact laws to keep people from being frustrated.
They do it because they can. It is the same way when someone is crossing the road. I have seen certain people crossing the road slow down when they see a car is coming. They do it cause they can and they know you cannot hit them.
As far as driving in the left lane, they should put a little more muscle to make it illegal to drive in that lane only when passing or when preparing to turn left. The law they have now don't work.
curly123053 nailed it - this law falls short of attempting to cure the basic problem. Regardless of what speed traffic in any left lanes is moving, if faster traffic approaches that left-lane traffic from the rear, it needs to move to the right!
I'll buy a flying car and just go over them. Problem solved.
I posted some Georgia statutes at my blog site regarding this matter:
http://www.accidentlawsite.com/2010/03/26/georgia-personal-injury-law-2/
HUH? Let me get this straight, if you are driving 71 MPH in the left lane in a 70 MPH zone they can ticket you for not speeding more?? In other words you get fined for not allowing the law to be broken??
I drive in the left lane at the speed limit and will continue to do so! If IDIOTS want to do 80 MPH then they can use the shoulder! IF I get a ticket you will see the biggest lawsuit on earth!
Driving more than 5 MPH over speed limit is reckless driving and should have a minimum $5,000 fine
I'm assuming this bill did not pass, and thus is not state law.
Oh, but I wish it were.
The left lane on interstate highways should be for passing only. Any "cruising" in the left lane should subject the driver to a ticket.
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