Drivers who slow down in the passing lane on Virginia's interstates may see a different set of flashing lights behind them if an amendment to a current law is approved.
State Delegate Israel O’Quinn (R-Bristol) introduced a bill Wednesday that would make it a crime to drive under the speed limit in the left lane. The law would only apply to Virignia's 12 interstates, four of which are located in northern Virginia.
The current law already covers drivers who impede the normal flow of traffic in the left lane of divided highways, but O’Quinn's proposal adds the speed limit specification.
Drivers slowing down for safety reasons would remain exempt from the law.
A fine or penalty is not mentioned in O’Quinn's bill.
Slow drivers are not exclusive to Virginia.
Last March, a Maryland woman was ticketed for driving too slowly in the left lane on Interstate 95 in Laurel.
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According to the citation, she had been driving 63 mph in the left hand lane in a 65 mph zone. The woman, who didn't want her name used, said she was cited for failing to move right.
The driver said she had to slow down due to heavy winds.
The ticket was later dismissed because police said she was cited under the wrong statute. According to Maryland State Police, the citation applies to drivers going at least 10 mph under the speed limit, not 2 mph.
