Autoblog

Report: Georgia to outlaw left-lane slowpokes

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:01:00 EST

Is there anything more irritating on your morning commute than slow-moving drivers who refuse to extricate themselves from the passing lane? The answer is "no." And so now we may have at least one good reason to consider moving to Georgia... that's if the Senate follows the shining example of the House (the 129-29 vote was passed after just seven minutes of debate) in passing Bill 1047. Says Rep. Mark Butler, (R-Carrollton), who introduced the Bill:

I don't think I'm alone in saying this, but there are so many times when you're alone on a four-lane 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. It's frustrating.

No Mark, you most certainly are not alone, and it is indeed one of the most frustrating elements of our nation's roadways. Though it's technically already a law that slowpokes must move out of the far-left lane, it's rarely enforced. This Bill would seek to change all of that with a way to accurately record how many such tickets are handed out each year.

Georgia Senate: The ball is officially in your court. Don't let your constituency down.

[Source: The Augusta Chronicle via Jalopnik]

Report: Georgia to outlaw left-lane slowpokes originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Kansas enacts 'Right Lane Law,' officially lands on Autoblog's Christmas card list

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

Few driving annoyances irritate the automotive enthusiast set as much as a slow-moving driver clogging up the far left lane of a highway. Mercifully, this is one instance where the law is on your side, as that left-hand lane is meant for passing the slower traffic that should be driving on the right (as the helpful sticker on the Lego Volvo above illustrates).

In Kansas at least, a new law went into effect on July 1 that will allow police officers and the Highway Patrol to better enforce the rules of the road. On all multi-lane highways in The Sunflower State, it's now illegal to drive in the far left-hand lane "except when passing or turning left or when instructed to do so by traffic-control devices or officers."

Trooper Mark Engholm of the Kansas Highway Patrol tells USA Today that "the law is designed to reduce road rage and prevent motorists from trying risky maneuvers." Finally, a good reason to drive through Kansas... let's just hope that the powers that be in the state (and others) enforce it.

[Source: USA Today | Image: Boxybutgood.us]

REPORT: Kansas enacts 'Right Lane Law,' officially lands on Autoblog's Christmas card list originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hallelujah! Oklahoma busting slow drivers in left lane

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 07:28:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Videos, First Drives

If there is anything worse than someone doing tortoise-like speed in the left lane, it's someone doing tortoise-like speed in the left lane and driving next to someone doing tortoise-like speed in the right lane. Oklahoma State Troopers aren't having any more of it and have begun enforcing the state's left lane law.

Section 41-11-301 dictates that "Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane when available for traffic..." What this means is that unless you're doing at least the speed limit or are about to make a left turn, you need to stay out of the ~~left~~ passing lane or risk being pulled over by the guys with the flashing rooftop lights.

The OK troopers say this is about getting out of the way for police and emergency service vehicles who shouldn't have to wait for slower drivers to exit the left lane. But seeing that any rushing authority is usually going well over 65 MPH, and folks in the news video were being pulled over for doing 62, we don't see how 3 MPH would really make that difference. Not that we're complaining, because it takes all of our green tea and feng shui to stay calm when we rock up behind slowpokes in the ~~left~~ passing lane. For now, however, folks in OK getting pulled over receive nothing more than a warning. Soon, however, Oklahoma troopers will start handing out $206 tickets. If you want to know how your state feels about the matter, check out the list of "keep right" laws.

[Source: CNN]

Hallelujah! Oklahoma busting slow drivers in left lane originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hagerty Insurance lists the Top 10 Driving Pet Peeves

Eric Bryant — Sun, 07 May 2006 11:07:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety

Hagerty Insurance,arguably best known for their accomodating policies for vintage and competition vehicles, polled its customers to develop a top-10 list of things that tick them off while driving:

Distracted drivers talking on cell phones
Slow drivers in the fast lane
Pushy drivers who tailgate
Drivers who weave through traffic to gain one or two car lengths
Obnoxious drivers who speed up to keep you from changing lanes
Hasty drivers who change lanes without signaling
'Road Rage'
Motorcyclists who race down the middle of a lane, between cars
Women applying makeup and men shaving
Drivers who leave their turn signal on for miles

While it's nearly impossible to disagree with any of the above, we're surprised that "Road trip partners that insist on stopping at Taco Bell for a half-pound been burrito at the start of a six-hour drive" didn't make the list. Sound off with your own driving pet peeves in 'Comments.'

[Source: Hagerty Insurance]

Hagerty Insurance lists the Top 10 Driving Pet Peeves originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 May 2006 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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