Is it illegal to drive too slow in the left lane on NC interstates? Here’s the law
The left lane is considered the passing lane on interstates, but that doesn’t stop drivers from dilly-dallying on the road.
While speeding remains a major issue in many major cities, some states have recently passed laws that penalize people who drive too slow.
A recent South Carolina law that went into effect in 2021 gave patrol officers the authority to issue $25 citations to drivers in the far left lane who are not trying to pass another vehicle.
Here is what North Carolina law says about driving too slow in the left lane and whether it is illegal to do so.
NC law for left lane driving
According to state law, all drivers traveling at less than the maximum speed limit must stay in the right lane, unless they are passing another vehicle or preparing for a left hand turn.
But driving slower than the posted speed limit is not illegal, UNC school of government professor Jeff Welty explained.
“Driving substantially under the posted speed limit is not itself unlawful,” he said. “In fact, it is sometimes required by G.S. 20-141(a), which states that “[n]o person shall drive a vehicle on a highway or in a public vehicular area at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions.”
However, state law says “no person shall operate 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 operation.”
Speeding around a slow driver could get you into trouble
Although getting stuck behind a slow driver can be frustrating, it is illegal to speed to get around them in North Carolina.
North Carolina follows absolute speed limits, meaning any person driving at a speed above the posted speed limit is in violation of the law and could be charged with a misdemeanor.
This story was originally published July 11, 2023 at 10:02 AM with the headline "Is it illegal to drive too slow in the left lane on NC interstates? Here’s the law."
