Good afternoon everyone,
If you want to start a discussion in Delaware among those who pile up the miles on business, mention slowpoke drivers who cling to the left lane.
Everyone has been behind a driver in the left lane with death grip on the steering wheel. Add in a driver in the other lane content to creep along below the speed limit and pent up frustrations that started at the office or home can result in tailgating, horn honking, and at times road rage.
Another variation on the theme is the driver of a speeding tractor-trailer who insists on staying in the left lane and tailgates in an effort to get the offending vehicle out of the way, even one moving along at the speed limit.
It’s aggravating to say the least and Democratic legislators want to do something about it – at least on one divided highway.
State Sen. Bryan Townsend, Newark, is the lead sponsor on a bill that would clarify the general rule that slower vehicles should stick to the right-hand lane. Interestingly enough, the focus is on that speedway to Legislative Hall, Route 1.
The bill orders that big trucks on much of Route 1 (Dover to Interstate 95) must drive in the right-hand land subject to some exceptions. It also creates civil penalties for drivers on the limited access portions of Route 1 who hog the passing lane.
Most people support the bill. The big question mark is enforcement beyond putting up extra signs.
The Delaware State Police, are already stretched thin and would have to undertake operations that target such drivers as they deal with lane weavers, distracted drivers etc.
Moreover, troopers sometimes face significant dangers when pulling over motorists along congested areas on Route 1, especially when a growing number of drivers are looking down at their smart phones or glancing at increasingly large “infotainment” video panels on their dashboards.
Here’s hoping you get a chance today to use the left-hand lane for passing.
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