Sandy Springs police remind drivers to move out of the left lane

The Sandy Springs Police Department is reminding holiday drivers to avoid a ticket due to the Slowpoke Law. The Impeding Traffic Flow Law, passed in 2014, prohibits drivers from holding up traffic in the left lane, even if driving the speed limit. (Courtesy Sandy Springs Police)

The Sandy Springs Police Department is reminding holiday drivers to avoid a ticket due to the Slowpoke Law. The Impeding Traffic Flow Law, passed in 2014, prohibits drivers from holding up traffic in the left lane, even if driving the speed limit. (Courtesy Sandy Springs Police)

The Sandy Springs Police Department is reminding holiday drivers to avoid a ticket due to the Slowpoke Law. The Impeding Traffic Flow Law, passed in 2014, prohibits drivers from holding up traffic in the left lane, even if driving the speed limit.

Specifically, the Slowpoke Law states that “no person shall drive a motor vehicle at such slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation.”

In other words, drivers are prohibited from driving too slowly or lingering in the left lane on the highway if faster cars are approaching, even if they are driving the posted speed limit. Drivers must change lanes to allow the faster vehicle to continue. The only exception to this law is when traffic or weather conditions mandate slower speeds, when in the left lane to exit or turn left, when paying a toll, or for emergency and construction vehicles.

The law is designed to reduce accidents, traffic congestion, and the possibility of road rage incidents.

Only use the far left-hand lane when passing slower vehicles and always yield to faster traffic by merging back over to the right.