Have you heard about Georgia's new left lane law?
Georgia's new law regarding slow drivers in the "passing lanes" went into effect on July 1, and the law applies to all roads with at least two lanes in each direction - not just interstates.
The law was passed this spring by the Georgia General Assembly as House Bill 459.
It is now unlawful for someone driving in the passing lane to stay in that lane once "such person knows or should reasonably know that he or she is being overtaken … from the rear by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed," according to the language of the law.
The passing lane is defined as the far left-hand lane that is not an HOV lane.
The law doesn't apply when someone must drive in the left lane to exit or turn left, on toll highways, when compliance with other laws or traffic control devices make it necessary to drive in the passing lane, or when inclement weather, obstructions, or hazards make it necessary to drive in the passing lane.
The law also doesn't apply "when traffic conditions or congestion make it necessary to drive in the passing lane."
A similar law was passed a few years ago, but only applied to drivers in the left lane who were doing less than the posted speed limit.
Now, it doesn't matter how fast or slow you are going in the left lane. If someone behind you is going faster, you have to move over.