Strife in the fast lane: Fines proposed for slow drivers

By Mick Akers

Tuesday, March 21, 2017 | 2:44 p.m.

If slow drivers in the far-left lane of a highway irk you, help may be coming to get them out of the way.

Assembly Bill 329 was introduced Monday by Assemblyman Chris Edwards R-Las Vegas, and Assembly BIll 334 introduced by Assemblyman John Ellison, R-Elko, would amend the existing law, making the act misdemeanor and introducing fines for drivers traveling slower than the average rate of traffic on a given highway.

The first offense for impeding traffic in the far-left lane would run a motorist $50. A second offense in the seven years following the first offense would result in the driver being fined $100, with a third offense in seven years resulting in a $250 fine.

The bills would designate that a vehicle traveling on a highway with two or more clearly marked lanes in the same direction may not continue in the extreme left-hand lane if the driver knows, or reasonably should know, that that they are being overtaken in that lane from the rear by a vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed.

Existing Nevada law prohibits slow driving and establishes a minimum speed limit, but these proposals go a step further with the addition of fines.

There are several instances where a vehicle could travel at a slow rate of speed in the far-left lane and not be cited under the proposed bill.

Those instances include: overtaking a vehicle traveling in the same direction; preparing to make a left turn at an intersection; traveling in a lane designated for the use of high occupancy vehicles; engaging in the construction, maintenance or repair of the highway; when traffic conditions, inclement weather, obstructions or hazards make it necessary to drive in the extreme left lane; and complying with a traffic control device or directions given by a peace officer.

AB329 would require the Nevada Department of Transportation to notify the public via public service announcements of the pending changes for no less than two years after July 1, the date the bills would go into effect if passed in the Legislature.

Both bills were referred to the Assembly Transportation Committee.