Drivers later this year may be using the left-hand lanes of Georgia’s highways a little bit less if lawmakers greenlight a bill currently in front of state representatives.
House Bill 459 would amend state code by making it a violation to drive in a controlled-access highway’s left-hand lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle. Driving in the left-hand lane would be OK when no other vehicles are directly behind a vehicle in question.
Other cases where left-lane driving would be acceptable would be when traffic and congestion make it impractical to drive in the right lane, when the right lane is obstructed or blocked, or when weather conditions make left-lane driving necessary. The law also would not apply when drivers are using left-lane exits, toll plazas or lanes such as those requiring Peach Pass.
Law enforcement vehicles, ambulances and other emergency vehicles, as well as those involved in highway maintenance or construction, would be exempt from the law.
If the bill meets the approval of the General Assembly and Gov. Nathan Deal, it would take effect July 1.
A copy of House Bill 459 is attached to this article.
Should lawmakers pass HB 459 and make it a violation to use a highway’s left-hand lane except for passing?
Share what’s on your mind with us, and then return here to see what your neighbors in Paulding, Douglas and Cobb have said.
Have you ever been to Germany? Driven on the Autobahn? Traffic moves smoothly there, because the drivers in that country have a little thing called Lane discipline. Having to pass on the right is extremely dangerous because that is the direction from which traffic merges. You should only be moving right when exiting, and you should only be far left when passing. It is simple courtesy, if someone is behind you and in a hurry, get your ass out of the way? What if that person behind you is rushing to the hospital? Are you such a careless and oblivious piece of cral that you won't follow simple rules of the road and get out of their way? Hell, I think left Kane camping should result in an automatic license suspension, just like it does in Germany. It's about safety, driver awareness, and being courteous to others on the road. Now I will undoubtedly encounter 25 left lane lurkers on my way to work this morning. My middle finger will at least get a workout.
And the bill isn't incouraging speeding,it would get those out of the way that are going below the speed limit and tying up traffic. It is a shame that we have to legistate common sense!
(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.
Drivers going slower or faster than the crowd are hazardous, regardless of the posted speed limit.