South Carolina Allows Police to Fine Drivers Going Too Slow in the Left Lane

A new law allows for a $25 fine if a driver doesn't move over to the right lane when driving too slowly

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Any driver who has studied for their driving test should know that when on the highway, the left lane is meant for passing drivers who are not driving fast enough to keep up with the flow of traffic. Chaos on the open highway can cause accidents, so it's really important that people follow the rules of the road.

Some states have even resorted to fining drivers who drive too slowly in the passing lane. South Carolina is one of them. The state has recently passed a law for police officers to give $25 citations for drivers who are in the left lane and are not trying to pass another car.

“Unless you are overtaking or passing another vehicle, you have to stay in the right lane,” L/Cpl. Tyler Tidwell with the South Carolina Highway Patrol told ABC affiliate WJBF.

Tidwell said there would be no minimum speed that would result in a driver being pulled over. Instead, the troopers will be using their best judgment.

“If individuals are traveling in the left lane and they see that traffic behind them is coming up on them at a faster rate, then what they can do is move over to the right," Tidwell said.

"Once that traffic is passed, they can either stay in the right lane or go back over to the left lane.”

Drivers have given mixed opinions on whether or not they like this law. Some agree and others disagree.

“I like the law because I often see people in the left lane being extraordinarily slow,” Charles Jenkins told WJBF.

“Anything that slows traffic creates an issue. Then, people have to pass on the right-hand side, which is more dangerous than passing on the left.”

Andy Morris disagrees.

“It seems kind of crazy that you can get a ticket for going too slow,” he told WJBF. “I think they should be worried about enforcing speeding too much than people going too slow. As long as you’re keeping up with traffic, I think you’re fine.”

Now North Carolina is exploring whether or not they should fine people for driving too slowly in the left lane. State law says you must stay in the right line if you are driving less than the maximum speed limit, The Charlotte Observer reported.

However, a law professor has stated that it's not illegal to drive under the speed limit. “Driving substantially under the posted speed limit is not itself unlawful,” UNC School of Government professor Jeff Welty explained in his blog.

"In fact, it is sometimes required by G.S. 20-141(a), which states that '[n]o person shall drive a vehicle on a highway or in a public vehicular area at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions.'"

State law also says “no person shall operate 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 operation.”

It is entirely likely that we will see more of these laws being enacted around the country.