Driving too slow? You could be spanked with $1,000 fine
Clueless drivers across the country are getting pulled over — not for speeding, but for going too slow in the passing lane, reports CBS News correspondent Adriana Diaz.
Indiana is the latest state to begin penalizing drivers for holding up traffic in the left lane. When its fresh law starts next month, drivers could get tickets for as much as $500.
In Chicago, if you don’t keep up the rhythm while driving in the left lane you could be smacked with a $1,000 fine and multiple-time offenders can be charged with a misdemeanor.
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In Fresh Jersey, the fine for the offense went up to a maximum of $300 two years ago.
"We concentrate on the most aggressive drivers out there," NJ State Police Lt. Col. Patrick Callahan said. "I would agree going ninety is more dangerous than going 50, but doing fifty does come with some concern and some consequences."
At least thirty eight states have laws in place to fine for continuous in the left lane. In five states, fines can reach $1000 and twenty two states classify the disturbance as a misdemeanor.
"Just like you should be fined for going too quick, you should be fined for going too slow," one driver said.
"I think it’s about time. People need to stir over," another said.
"When you have people just drive anywhere, it is chaos on the roadway," Fresh Jersey State Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon said.
He shoved for the state’s law in order or to reduce accidents and anger on the road.
Driving slow can get you fined in N.J.
In Fresh Jersey, it’s against the law to stay in the left lane if you aren’t passing another car. CBS News’ Elaine Quijano reports on how the state.
"One of the chief causes of road rage is people’s failure to obey this very elementary rule," he said.
Contrary to how some drivers use it, the left lane is not the "rapid lane."
"You should be passing using the left lane," O’Scanlon said. "This is not a minor offence. When you cause people to switch lanes more frequently or to pass people on the right, that is when you get the most severe accidents."
Enforcing the law in Fresh Jersey is largely up to state troopers and Callahan said not all left-leaning drivers are targeted.
"It’s those cars that are indeed obstructing the flow of traffic out there, sometimes even driving under the speed limit. That’s who troopers are looking for, that vehicle and that driver that’s indeed failing to keep right as they should," Callahan said.
Albeit slow driving in the left lane can cause frustration, it’s not the primary cause of road rage. A latest survey found texting came was number one followed, by tailgating. The "left lane hog" came in third.