MOVE OVER!
No, this is not my vehicle.
The law in both Georgia and South Carolina states the following: “a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows: (1) When overtaking or passing another vehicle; (2) When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway… (b) Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic shall be driven in the right-hand lane when available for traffic; or as close as practicable to to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn.”
Something else.. Georgia law 40-6-184 says in part: “On roads, streets or highways with two or more lanes…in the same direction, no person shall continue to operate a motor vehicle in the most left-hand lane…once such person knows or should reasonably know that he is being overtaken in such lane from the rear by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed, except when such motor vehicle is preparing for a left turn.”
In other words, you’re breaking the law when you drive straight ahead (not preparing to turn) in the left lane, when you drive below the speed limit in the left lane, and when you fail to move over for a faster vehicle. Notice there is no no mention of the other driver’s speed. In other words, it isn’t your job to block speeders.
This is not just a matter of organized and safe traffic flow, nor is it strictly a traffic law issue; at times it’s also simple courtesy. I’ll give you an example of courtesy (or the lack thereof): earlier today I made a left turn onto Washington Road and into the suicide lane, where I put on my right blinker and began to accelerate. The only other car in sight behind me was a minivan in the left lane, so I slowed to let her pass before merging into the left lane, and then into the right lane. This was near Mercedes-Benz heading westbound. At the intersection of Bobby Jones, maybe five miles down the road, the minivan was still in the left lane. Trust me, I will survive this experience. It’s no big deal whatsoever. Even so, aside from wondering why she was in the left lane to begin with (anybody ever hear of a movie called The Fast Lane???), I have to wonder why she actually blocked my merge when, with no other cars around, she could have easily moved over. The answer: many people who are left laners seem to view that lane as their personal property and take great offense to any and all intruders.
Incidentally, the car above isn’t mine, as you can see from the caption. That’s not my front license plate. Why would I need it?
I drive in the right lane.