A bill in the Georgia House of Representatives would give law enforcement officers more power to ticket drivers who travel in the left lane, obstructing the flow of faster vehicles approaching from behind.
House Bill 459 would only apply to controlled access highways such as the Interstate highway system. All other roads, streets and highways with two or more lanes would continue to be regulated by the current law which forbids traveling under the maximum speed limit in the left hand lane if a vehicle approaches from the rear “traveling at a higher rate of speed.”
HB 459 would forbid drivers from operating their vehicle in the left lane on controlled access highways “except when overtaking and passing another vehicle” unless there is no other vehicle directly behind them.
There are exceptions to the law of course, as vehicles would be allowed to travel in the left hand lane due to traffic conditions and congestion; when there are obstructions or hazards in the right lane; and when driving in the left lane is required to comply with a traffic control device or when a vehicle is preparing to turn left.
To be considered by the Senate, the bill must pass the House by the close of business on Thursday, often called “Crossover Day,” the moniker for day 30 of the 40-day legislative session.
