Latest news with #leftlane
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Is driving slow in left lane illegal in South Carolina? What to know about Move Right Law
Drivers in South Carolina tend to use the left lane to coast down the highway, passing cars that aren't in a rush to reach their destination. It can be especially frustrating when a slowpoke driver moves in front of you, the arrival time on the GPS increasing minute by minute. However, what most Palmetto State drivers fail to recognize is that the left lane is not intended just for putting your pedal to the metal. If you are not using the left lane to pass another vehicle, expect to receive a fine, according to S.C.'s Move Right Law. What is the Move Right Law? The Move Right Law requires drivers only to use the "far left-hand lane on controlled-access highways when overtaking and passing another vehicle," per South Carolina's Department of Public Safety. Controlled-access highways include common interstate highways and S.C.'s highways SC-22, SC-31, and SC-277. When did the Move Right Law go into effect? The Move Right Law took effect on August 15, 2021. Warning tickets were issued within the first 90 days the law took effect. Is driving in the left lane a criminal offense? Although driving in the left lane is not categorized as a criminal offense within the state, it is still a civil law violation. Breaking it may result in a fine of $25. Court costs will not be assessed in addition to the fine, and a violator will not be arrested for the offense. Even so, residents should adhere to this law regardless of safety reasons. When can I drive in the left lane? S.C. state law outlines the following exceptions for driving in the left lane: When no other vehicle is directly behind the car in the left lane. When traffic conditions and congestion make it impractical to drive in the right lane. When snow and other inclement weather conditions make it safer to drive in the left lane. When obstructions or hazards exist in the right lane. When, due to highway design, a vehicle must be driven in the left lane while preparing to exit. To law enforcement vehicles, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles engaged in official duties, as well as vehicles involved in highway maintenance and construction operations. When a driver of a tractor-trailer commercial motor vehicle combination is unable to move into the right lane safely due to another vehicle overtaking or passing his truck to the right. When a driver of a vehicle requiring a commercial motor vehicle license to operate is unable to move into the right lane safely due to a highway grade or another vehicle overtaking or passing his vehicle on the right. Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@ This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Is it illegal to drive slow in the left lane in South Carolina? Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Can you drive in the left lane without passing in NC? What the law says
One of the first things you learn before you get your driver's license in North Carolina is that the left lane is the passing lane. In a perfect world, all drivers traveling below the speed limit stay in the right lane, allowing for those driving faster to safely pass them. But driving in North Carolina for any amount of time will tell you that's not the case. An easy solution to this problem would be to stay in the left lane to avoid getting stuck behind slow drivers. But is it legal to do that if you're not passing a vehicle? Here's what you need to know. Can you get a ticket for driving in the left lane without passing? Yes, but only if officers have a reason to stop you, Master Trooper Christopher Casey of the N.C. State Highway Patrol told The Observer. 'It comes down to officer discretion and whether there has been a clear-cut, substantial violation of the law,' Casey said. There's no state law that specifically prohibits drivers from driving in the left lane without passing, Casey said, but officers could issue tickets for other offenses, such as speeding or reckless driving. Can you get a ticket for driving too slowly in the left lane? Yes. But whether or not you'll get a ticket for driving slowly in the left lane depends on the officer who pulls you over, The Charlotte Observer previously reported. North Carolina law requires drivers moving slower than the speed limit to keep right — unless they're passing another vehicle or making a left turn. But the state doesn't have a specific law that makes it illegal to drive slowly in the left lane, Casey said. But a bill the currently sits in the state House could change that. House Bill 864 would make it illegal for a person to 'operate a motor vehicle in the left lane of a multilane highway at a speed that impedes the normal and reasonable movement of traffic,' meaning officers could issue citations to drivers traveling too slow in the passing lane, The News & Observer previously reported. For now, drivers could face a citation for impeding traffic, which is prohibited under state law. 'You could get a ticket for it, but the officer would have to articulate what they were doing to impede traffic versus just not going as fast as someone wanted them to,' Casey said. Driving well below the speed limit isn't automatically against the law, he added. 'In some cases, it's actually necessary.' Can you get a ticket for speeding around a slow driver? Even if you're stuck behind a slow driver, speeding to pass them isn't allowed in North Carolina — and you could get a ticket for it, The Charlotte Observer previously reported. The state uses absolute speed limits, which means driving even slightly over the posted limit is a violation of the law. According to Coast to Coast NC Law Group, exceeding the speed limit can result in a misdemeanor charge. Ask the North Carolina Service Journalism Team Have a question about your community you'd like answered? Or maybe a tip or story idea you'd like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you. If you have a question about the Charlotte area, send The Charlotte Observer team a question by submitting questions to this form. If you have a question about Raleigh or a Triangle area community, send The News & Observer team a question by submitting questions to this form. It's almost tax-free weekend. Here's a list of places to shop near Charlotte Charlotte ranked among most liveable cities in the world. See the full list Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Are you breaking NY's left lane law without knowing it? What to know about the 'Slow Poke Law'
One of the most frustrating parts of a long road trip is getting stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle — especially when that vehicle is lingering in the left lane. In New York, drivers who camp out in the left lane may be doing more than just annoying others. They could be violating what's known as Here's what drivers need to know: Under New York Vehicle & Traffic Law (VTL) 1120(a), drivers must stay in the right lane unless one of the following exceptions applies: Passing another vehicle moving in the same direction Passing a pedestrian, bicyclist, animal, or road obstruction Authorized to travel on the shoulder or slope Driving on a road with three marked lanes Driving on a one-way road Additionally, VTL 1120(b) states: 'Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic... must be driven in the right-hand lane available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway — unless overtaking another vehicle or preparing for a left turn.' The leftmost lane is designated as the passing lane. On roads with three or more lanes, the middle lanes are not considered passing lanes. Even if a driver is traveling at or above the speed limit, remaining in the left lane without passing another vehicle is a violation of state law. Violating the Slow Poke Law (VTL 1120) can result in: 3 points on your driver's license A fine of up to $150 for a first offense A $93 mandatory surcharge Potential increases in auto insurance premiums This citation may also be issued in conjunction with other violations, such as speeding or driving too slowly. According to the , here are additional important laws drivers should follow: Move over for emergency vehicles (VTL 1144(a)) Wear seat belts and use child safety seats (VTL 1229(c)) Don't follow too closely (VTL 1129(a)) Drive carefully in work zones (VTL 1180(f)) Use turn signals (VTL 1163) Use headlights appropriately (VTL 375) Watch for deer and wildlife (VTL 601) No handheld cell phone use while driving (VTL 1225-C) Never drive under the influence (VTL 1192(3)) This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NY 'Slow Poke Law': What drivers need to know about left lane rules
