Nielson, who also reminds people speeding is against the law. Georgias slowpoke law went into effect in july 2014. You drove at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic, and. The proposal would make it against the law to drive in the far left lane of a road unless the driver is passing another vehicle. Georgia has raised the penalty for violating this law to a misdemeanor, and police in washington, texas, and ohio have started issuing tickets to drivers going too slow in the left lane. Youre breaking the law get over, or get pulled over, alabamians. Davis said drivers sometimes take chances to get around slow drivers in the left lane. Speed limits crs 4241101 unlawful vehicle modifications.
Most states restrict use of the left lane by slowmoving traffic. Regarding your article on states cracking down on leftlane slowpokes, thankfully the colorado highway patrol tickets drivers who believe that. Still, in colorado, as in most states, impeding the flow of traffic is illegal. Indiana state police trooper stops vehicle for driving slow. Many of these states follow the standard that a car driving below the normal speed of traffic should remain in the right lane. A common problem arising from misuse of the left lane is speeding and tailgating. A bicyclist may take the travel lane where traffic is slow and the lane is narrow, there is no shoulder or bike lane, when approaching an intersection, or if you are moving at the same speed as the flow of traffic. All states allow drivers to use the left lane when there is more than one in the same direction to pass. But not only is slow left lane driving annoying, it can also be really dangerous. More states are cracking down on slowpokes in the fast lane. Since a similar law went into effect in indiana a year ago, the state police reported issuing 109 tickets and 1,535 warnings, according to wishtv, a.
Before it passed its left lane law, colorado drivers. Subsequently revised in 1962, 1966, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1995, 2003, 2009 and 2010. Slow leftlane driving ban passes nc house panel raleigh. In plain english, this law means if youre poking along, you had better be in the righthand or slow lane unless youre preparing to turn left. You didnt drive as close as practicable to the righthand edge or curb. Move over slow drivers mosd was invented to help the world prevent traffic jams, road rage and slow left lane drivers. Colorado state trooper teaches highway driving 101 on. The law also includes any parked maintenance, law enforcement or emergency vehicles. The table below describes the law in effect in each state. The driver handbook is a summary of the laws, rules and safe driving practices that apply to all persons who drive a vehicle in the state of colorado. Colorado s left lane states, a person shall not drive a motor vehicle in the passing lane of a highway if the speed limit is sixtyfive miles per hour or more unless such person is passing. Colorado state trooper teaches highway driving 101 on facebook, tells.
Speed up, slowpoke, or get a ticket the new york times. Apr 10, 2017 marylands existing law prohibits anyone moving at 10 mph or more below the posted speed limit or at less than the normal speed of traffic from driving in the left lane and to keep as close. Many people drive in the left lane on a regular basis and dont even realize theyre breaking the law. Oklahoma department of transportation move over law. Littleknown traffic laws in colorado that you may be breaking. Regardless of the speed you are traveling, you must move from the lane when faster traffic is approaching. Thousands cited for slow leftlane driving under new va. The slow poke law pursuant to house bill 459, slower drivers must move out of the passing lane most lefthand lane and over to the right to allow fastermoving traffic to proceed. A person shall not drive a motor vehicle in the passing lane of a highway if the speed limit is sixtyfive miles per hour or more unless such. Slow drivers who do not yield to drivers moving faster than them, regardless of the speed limit. One strategy is to signal a lane change toward the center median.
Before it passed its left lane law, colorado drivers could proceed in the lefthand lane if they. Supporter of leftlane bill says maryland is behind other. Almost 15,000 drivers were fined under the broader law, which includes trucks in the left lane and people. A vehicle driving in the left lane of a multilane highway slower than other traffic, but at the speed limit, is not in violation of the law, says erin komatsubara, a public information officer for the chp. Under all circumstances and conditions, you must yield the right of way to pedestrians. This means a driver going the speed limit in the left lane can still be a serious problem. Before it passed its left lane law, colorado drivers could proceed in the.
Jun 18, 2018 according to a 2015 indiana law, police can issue tickets to leftlane drivers who refuse to move over for traffic. Drivers who are driving too slowly in the leftmost lane of a highway may remain there in either of the following six circumstances. The driver license about this handbook the purpose of this driver handbook is to provide you with information on how to become a safe driver. One of the chief causes of road rage is peoples failure to obey this very simple rule, he said. Even if our speed limits were more realistic, there is no good reason to remain in the left lane if a faster vehicle wishes to pass you.
Model traffic code for colorado colorado department of. You should move to the right and allow them to pass, even if. Equipment crs title 42 scroll to 424201 to 424239 contact a qualified traffic ticket attorney to help you get the best result possible. Mar 25, 2019 colorado state trooper teaches highway driving 101 on facebook, tells left lane squatters to beat it. There are at least 38 states with laws in place to fine drivers for traveling too slow in the left lane. Dogooders and knowitalls driving the speed limit in the left lane, albeit slower than the flow of traffic, believe they are teaching faster drivers a lesson. Jul 08, 2019 according to section 42410 of the colorado revised statutes, you must not drive in the left lane, where the speed limit is 65 mph or more, unless you are passing another vehicle. Bob thorpe has proposed a law that would require arizona to place signs every 50 miles on rural state. If no additional lane exists, motorists should proceed with due caution and slow to a safe speed for the existing road, weather, and traffic conditions. She often must quickly move back into the right lane to. May 18, 2015 the change to the law says a driver has to move out of the far left lane if approached from behind by a vehicle going faster than you. When slower drivers are scattered between the right and left lanes. Marcia cloud sometimes finds herself driving 5 mph over the speed limit in the left lane when she is passing slower drivers on the right. Driving too slow in passing lane is against the law youtube.
Colorado driver handbook 5 introduction the purpose of this driver handbook is to provide you with information on how to become a safe driver. The guide to rightofway laws in colorado yourmechanic. Most state laws make it illegal to drive slowly in the left lane. A measure aimed at drivers who linger in the left lane was signed into law last month, according to sen. Law prohibits obstructing traffic by driving continuously in the left lane. A driver hoping to pass a slow motorist in the fast lane can be stuck in an awkward situation. Apr 27, 2016 the rightofway laws in colorado can be summarized as follows. Slow left lane drivers are a pet peeve for many people on the road. Proponents of left lane laws argue that slowpoke drivers cause unnecessary lane changing as faster traffic weaves around to pass on the right. Several other states have instituted laws aimed at moving slow drivers out of the left lane. They have the undisputed right of way at every crosswalk or intersection, and you must stop and allow them to proceed. Despite concerns the bill could penalize slow driving grandmothers, a proposal to fine drivers who block traffic in the left lane advanced in the n. New leftlane traffic law in las vegas nevada assembly bill. Contrary to how some drivers use it, the left lane is not.
If a lane change under paragraph a would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe the intent of this qualifying language is to minimize sudden or unsafe lane changes that may result in secondary incidents. Bicycling manual colorado department of transportation. State trooper stops slow driver on i65, twitter rejoices. Jun 16, 2015 more states are cracking down on slowpokes in the fast lane.
In addition to the slow poke law, 82 other laws went into effect last. A person shall not drive a motor vehicle in the passing lane of a highway if the speed limit is sixtyfive miles per hour or more unless such person is passing. That means a motorist can be ticketed for blocking other drivers even speeders. A person shall not drive a motor vehicle in the passing lane of a highway if the speed limit is sixtyfive miles per hour or more unless such person is. The law makes it legal to ticket people for driving too slow in the fast lane. Violation of this law may result in a fine from law enforcement. Colorado state trooper teaches highway driving 101 on facebook, tells left lane squatters to beat it it doesnt get simpler than this, folks. Almost 2,000 tickets were issued specifically for driving too slow in the left lane. So, your frustration with slowpokes in the leftlane is not only warranted, its supported by colorados traffic laws. A passing lane north american english or overtaking lane is a lane on a multi lane highway. It was put in place to keep left lane drivers or the family ten cars back from getting run over by faster traffic while in the left lane. Oftentimes left lane drivers is the main or if not one of the main causes of. Cdot warns drivers to stay in the right lane, unless passing. Driving slow in the left lane can impede the flow of traffic and trigger aggressive driving or road rage, according to state lawmakers.
These actions create road rage and increase overall danger. Sep 20, 2017 the law is written that slower traffic needs to move right and drivers can use the left lane to pass vehicles, lt. State law requires drivers approaching an official stationary emergency vehicle making use of appropriate visual signals, including tow trucks, to merge into the lane farthest from the vehicle when traveling in the same direction, if safe to do so, or to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. Moving to the center of the lane establishes your position and prevents motorists from passing until theres enough room.
Jul 04, 2016 slow driving in the fast lane increases the risk of an accident, and driving is all about reducing risk, yousif said. Colorado drivers should be reminded about states left. A few states permit use of the left lane only for passing or turning. Vehicles passing on the right of a leftlane driver who is at the speed limit would be violating the speed limit, komatsubara says. Alabama state troopers want more people to know that the left lane on the interstate is. But not only is slow left lane driving annoying, it can also be really.
Of course, the driver in the leftmost lane is slowly putting along to match. Growing number of states fine slowpoke drivers in highway. Hundreds of drivers ticketed under new slow poke law. Colorado drivers should be reminded about states leftlane law. It is as the trooper suggests infuriating to attempt to pass slower traffic in. Traffic experts confirm that driving slower than surrounding traffic is more likely to cause an accident than speeding.
204 459 1616 534 606 714 275 682 429 533 187 25 898 999 789 521 897 664 620 362 1269 29 82 531 603 731 1476 60