‘Slowpoke’ law leading to citations for some South Carolina drivers

WHNS Greenville ^ | June 9, 2022 | Jarvis Robertson

[where's_the_Outrage?]

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - As the 100 deadly days of summer moves forward, we wanted to take a look at how one recently passed state law is affecting drivers.

The ‘move right’ law, or as many call it the ‘slowpoke’ law.

“If you are traveling on a controlled access highway, you should stay out of the left hand lane unless you are passing or overtaking a car,” said Corporal Joe Hovis, with the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

[discostu]

It’s always funny to me how these threads always have a bunch of people coming on to give dorky scenarios for being “stuck” in the left lane. That really just all boil down to “but I like the left lane”. Nobody cares what you like, get out of the way.

[cuban leaf]

In fact it is now a law here in Texas that you are required to move over when emergency vehicles are stopped on the shoulder.

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That’s something I noticed when I moved from Seattle to Kentucky. I actually consider it a very dangerous law. I’ve seen people trying to move over and almost causing accidents. I’ve seen youtube videos where they HAVE cause accidents.

I honestly see no need to change lanes (always relatively dangerous in traffic) when passing a car on the side of the road. However, I also think you should put the phone down so you dont hit said car. I’ve seen plenty of youtube videos where that has happened as well. But chances are those folks would not have pulled over anyway since, after all, they didn’t see the car - or they wouldn’t have hit it.

[Seruzawa]

Yep. I do that all the time. The left lanes clog up with people who think it’s the fast lane.

[cuban leaf]

People constantly moving in and out of the left lane to pass, what could go wrong...

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If people are paying attention and understand the concept of defensive driving, nothing.

[cuban leaf]

Yeah. If you’re going to, if you need to do some aggressive driving, turn off the adaptive cruise control. ACC.

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That’s exactly what I did. 😉

[cuban leaf]

A law like this in Utah would require every policeman in the State to be involved in enforcing it. They would have time for nothing else.

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At first...

[HeadOn]

Here in Tennessee, 15 or 20 over is technically “reckless” driving, and will send you straight to jail if the officer has indigestion that day.

So - I’m stuck. I am speeding at 10 over in the left lane, and a “reckless” driver comes up behind me (several on this thread apparently), and cannot slow down for 5 seconds for me to pass the guy in the right lane...

[Responsibility2nd]

That’s a great Bible verse. While it applies to driving, it most certainly applies to politics.

[Boogieman]

Yeah, that’s why it’s called “the passing lane”.

[cuban leaf]

So - I’m stuck. I am speeding at 10 over in the left lane, and a “reckless” driver comes up behind me (several on this thread apparently), and cannot slow down for 5 seconds for me to pass the guy in the right lane...

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Yep. I think there are drivers like that, but most of them are pretty young, driving partially souped up 1987 Honda civics. they get right on your bumper in the passing lane as you are driving 5 or more MPH faster than the car you are passing. I like to pull over and let them by as soon as possible so I can use them as radar screens.

But I think the biggest complaint I’m seeing in this thread is against the guy in the passing lane that is blocking the lane, not passing anyone, or they are passing so slow it takes them a half minute or several minutes to pass another car. When you are on a 500 mile trip, that kind of nonsense can really add up.

[Seruzawa]

How about an upper age limit for driving? Or at least a mental/physical acuity test. I see way too many octogenarians doddering along.

[cuban leaf]

But does it apply to driving in places like the UK? 🤣

[Responsibility2nd]

The point of that law is to give cops some breathing room as they write some poor slob a ticket.

They hate being on the shoulder as traffic screams by at 70 mph just inches away.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cuban leaf]

Or at least a mental/physical acuity test. I see way too many octogenarians doddering along.

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Heh. I’m 68 and think that would be a good idea. But I’m young for my age and feel it. I was complaining about a parking lot a couple of years ago that had “senior” parking assigned to all the good spots. Then I realized I’M a senior citizen. Sweet!😂

[cuban leaf]

Yes. I get that. I’ve also seen videos where cops suddenly jump out of the way as someone completely takes out their car and the the other one. But like I said, the “pull over” law doesn’t work because if someone sees them, they won’t hit them anyway, and if they don’t see them, they won’t move over into the next lane, even if it is the law.

It’s sort of a catch 22 thing. And the law DEFINITELY makes it more dangerous for those simply driving by.

[Nifster]

Yes

[gundog]

But...but....I’m turning left 5 miles ahead.

[Seruzawa]

Yes. And discounts at IHOP!

[cuban leaf]

Yeah. Don’t even get me started on surface streets...🤬