One of the first bills to be considered for South Carolina’s 2023 legislative year would make highway driving much more enjoyable for all but the slowest of drivers.
If passed the new law would make it illegal for people to drive slow in the left lane.
According to House Bill 4835:
“( ) On any controlled access roadway having two or more lanes allowing movement in the same direction, a driver may not continue to operate a motor vehicle in the furthermost left-hand lane if the driver knows or reasonably should know that he is being overtaken in that lane from the rear by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed. This subsection does not apply to a driver operating a vehicle that is overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or when a driver of a tractor-trailer commercial motor vehicle combination is unable to move into the right lane safely due to other vehicles overtaking or passing his vehicle on the right, or when a driver of a vehicle requiring a commercial drivers license is unable to move into the right lane safely due to a highway grade or other vehicles overtaking or passing his vehicle on the right.
( ) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of two hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, and assessed two points against his motor vehicle operating record as provided in Section 56-1-720, except that a driver of a vehicle requiring a commercial drivers license may not be fined more than fifty dollars and no points may be assessed against his driving record for failing to comply with this section.
SC lawmakers did approve what many call the “slowpoke” bill back in 2021, but that bill only fined violators $25 per offense.
Officials are hoping the new bill, that would significantly increase the financial penalty, and add 2 points to licenses, will have a much greater impact on ‘slowpoke’ drivers across the state.
What do you think about the new bill?