Reply to PSA: It is ILLEGAL in VA to drive slow in the left lane of any multi lane road

Forum Index » Cars and Transportation

Reply to "PSA: It is ILLEGAL in VA to drive slow in the left lane of any multi lane road"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Many don't know this, but is actually against the law to drive slower in the left lane of ANY multi-lane road in VA. Not just a highway. Not just 66, 495, etc. But ANY roadway divided into 2 or more lanes. Even if there are stop lights.

[quote]The law: § 46.2-804. 
Whenever [b]any [/b]roadway has been divided into clearly marked lanes for traffic, drivers of vehicles shall obey the following:

1. [b]Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic[/b] at the time and place and under the conditions existing, shall be driven in the lane nearest the right edge or right curb of the highway when such lane is available for travel except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or in preparation for a left turn or where right lanes are reserved for slow-moving traffic as permitted in this section;[/quote]

It does not mean driving lower than the speed limit. But "the speed of traffic." It's is relative, and "slower traffic keep right" is not about the speed limit. Thankfully, police are actually beginning to crackdown on left lane cruisers.

[img]https://preview.redd.it/7x18spq32ouc1.jpeg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=bd6c7d22e8fdc3f3eb50f398e1f9a6da89b8dc6c[/img][/quote]

Driving in the left lane while not actively passing will get you a ticket.  Even if going 60 in a 60.  If you are going 60 in a 60 and cars are shooting all around you that is reckless driving on your part in VA.  You could ticket the speeders but you also can get a ticket.  In that case Troopers prefer to ticket the person in the left lane as that is the person creating the dangerous conditions.[/quote]

I have never, ever heard of someone getting a ticket for going too slow in the left lane. I think you would need to be going well below the speed limit to get one, because that is the only time a cop is going to view you as "creating the dangerous condition." No one ever gets pulled over for going 62 in the left lane when the speed limit is 65, even if it is annoying to other drivers. It's not low enough to justify stopping traffic. Also, you would need to sustain that low speed over a certain distance. Because drivers' speeds fluctuate, they aren't going to ticket someone for dipping below the speed of traffic for a moment unless it actually causes a dangerous situation.

And OP is adamant that this law also applies to any road with more two or more lanes traveling in the same direction. While that may be true, the variable speeds of drivers on non-highways make this virtually impossible to enforce unless, again, a driver is goin signficantly below the speed limit over a sustained distance. Since drivers may slow to enter turning lanes, as they approach lights, etc., the idea that cops will pull over just anyone who is getting passed on the right on any multi-lane road is fantasy.

For the record, I don't go slow in the hammer lane (as my DH likes to call it) and I get annoyed with slow drivers in this lane as well. However, I view it as an inevitability and find safe ways to get around these drivers, or are patient until a safe pass is available to me. If you are getting so upset about this phenomenon that you are posting long screeds about it online, complete with references and illustrations, my guess is that you have a road rage issue and that actually poses a much bigger threat to me than the occasional slow driver in the left lane. I find those irritating, whereas I feel my well being is threatened by the rageful drivers I sometimes encounter, rapidly changing lanes, failing to signal, tailgating, and speeding. Drivers like this cause way more accidents than the occasional slow driver in the wrong lane, which is why cops rightfully focus on speeders and aggressive drivers when they ticket.[/quote]

You are devoted to your cause (driving in the left lane, and not allowing others to pass safely)!! DP here.  In most states, it is illegal to be in the left lane unless you are passing.

If you are not intelligent enough to interpret this law, you should not be driving.  Staying in the left lane is considered aggressive driving in most states - you are causing other to have to go around you instead of you going around them, and that is dangerous.  Period.  Save your soliloquoy for the judge, who will promptly let your fine stand, and hoepfully double it, provided you don't seriously hurt someone (or worse) first. [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics