Life in the Fast Lane: Cracking down on highway slow-pokes
Are you in too much of a hurry to read this? Then you might appreciate knowing that dozens of states are now cracking down on drivers who go too slow in the fast lane.
At least 38 states now have laws in place to fine drivers for lingering in the left lane, according to CBS Pittsburgh. In five states, fines for doing so could be as much as $1,000, and 22 states classify the violation as a misdemeanor, the station says.
Pennsylvania traffic law says, "No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic."
While there are regulations regarding minimum speeds on highways in the Keystone State, there's no set fine specifically tied to any so-called "slow poke law."
In most states that have such a law, enforcing it is largely up to state troopers.
"I would agree going 90 is more dangerous than going 50 but, doing 50 does come with some concern and some consequences," said Lt. Col. Patrick Callahan, of the New Jersey State Police. "It's those cars that are really obstructing the flow of traffic out there... driving under the speed limit," he said.
At least one New Jersey lawmaker who pushed for that state's slow poke law did so with the aim of reducing accidents, and incidents of road rage.
(So, did you make time to read this entire story? Then you're probably not in too much of a hurry in the first place.)