Georgia’s “Slow-Poke” bill one step away from becoming the law

The Georgia General Assembly passed the “Slow-Poke” bill which will be targeting drivers driving under the minimum speed in the left lane.

The bill was approved last month in the House with a 162-9 votes. It was approved in the Senate on a 42-5 vote in the Senate. All it needs now is the signature of Gov. Nathan Deal to become the law.

According to Matt Cornelius, Atlanta Alternative Transportation Examiner, by passing this bill, House Lawmakers are emphasizing that going under the speed limit can be just as dangerous as going faster than the speed limit. Violators could face misdemeanor penalties of no more than $1,000 in fines and up to a year in prison.

“It really does make sense. And it’s an issue we’ve been pushing for a long time,” John Bowman, a spokesman for the National Motorists Association said.

Some fear the bill might encourage drivers to speed. Rep. Mark Butler said the bill will attack only those who “motorists flow of traffic.” Those violating the speed limit will be continued to get a ticket.

Although many commuter students are in favor of the law, they do not think it will affect their ride to school because of the traffic in Atlanta.

English major Erin Smith said it could be dangerous for drivers to drive slow in left lane.

“People might see it as a way to bully people on road,” she said.

Smith said it will not have any affect on her commute to campus.

Speech teacher Sally Allen is in favor of the bill, but also thinks it will not have any dramatic effect on traffic.

English professor Diana Eidson, someone who drives on the interstate each day to and from campus, said she would like to see the law pass.

“I see many drivers who drive slowly. They can be a great danger on the expressway when they are in the left lane,” she said.

Eidson also said that it is “discourteous” of the drivers if they refuse to move to the right in order to allow faster drivers to move around them.

“Slow drivers who insist on traveling in the left lane should receive a fine for being a hazard on the road,” Eidson said.

If the law does pass, Eidson said it will certainly help her get to the campus “safer and faster.”

On the other hand, computer science major Fateh Singh confessed of driving slow on purpose when tailed by a faster vehicle.

“If I see someone is approaching me from behind really fast, I don’t move because I shouldn’t,” Singh said.

Student Tramaine Clarke said he does not favor the bill and drivers should not get a ticket.

“It’s ridiculous. What if those ‘slow’ drivers are following the speed limit? Drivers should not get a ticket,” he said.

In reference to drivers driving below the speed limit in the left lane, Rep. Butler said, “They’re causing a lot of frustration for the drivers behind them. They’re also causing people to weave in and out of traffic in order to get around the slower drivers, which also causes a much larger hazard.”

He told reporters, “We are just trying to get people to quit clogging up the lane that’s supposed to be used for passing.”

Computer information systems major Muhammad Ahmad said the left lane is a passing lane.

“Drivers should not drive in it anyway,” he said.

“It gets annoying when they don’t move to the right lane. I am in huge favor of this bill,” biology major Pavneet Baidwan said.

The Bill reads, in part, “No person shall drive 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 safe operation.”