“Camp out” in the fast lane in Arizona, you could get hit with a $500 fine. That’s the aim of a bill currently working its way through the Arizona legislature. Some have dubbed it the Slow Poke bill. It has already passed out of committee and will head to the floor of the House.
Slow Poke bill: Signs with fines
The Slow Poke bill, technically HB 2235, amends existing law. If it becomes law, highway crews would have to post signs on highways where two or more lanes of traffic are permitted to run in the same direction. The signs would inform drivers that the left-most lane is for passing only, and that slower vehicles would have to keep to the right.
Another sign would be on the same post—this one with bite. Those who violate the Slow Poke law would be subject to a $500 fine.
Genesis in frustration
The Slow Poke bill grew out of the frustration of Arizona state representative Teresa Martinez. The republican lawmaker from Casa Grande got fed up with trying to commute to Phoenix on Interstate 10. “If you want to drive 70 mph on the right, beautiful, wonderful. If you want to drive 70 miles an hour on the left, no bueno,” Martinez said.
The bill as filed would have applied across the Grand Canyon State, but Martinez has filed an amendment to her own bill. If passed, the law will apply to only interstate highways with two lanes, with the exception of Interstate 17. Hence, drivers on Interstates 8, 10, and 40 would see signs—and fines.
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It should be a $1 000 and in all states.
Truckers would never let you campout in left lane going under speed limit. What we need is at least 3 or more lanes on every major highway.
Thank you for the information, Russ and Tina! I agree and most states in which we travel in the RV have signs on the interstates to this effect. I do not know what the fines for violating the direction is. Maybe other states lacking fines for this will add them. Have a great day and safe travels!
Appears that it is not just Washington state with a driver’s speeding problem. Too add…states like Idaho with 80 mph speed limits are making this problem malignant. If they do 80…they will do 90…100…I have had it happen too many times.
Let’s discuss the slow poke lane. First, when pulling my Travel Trailer, I always keep in the right lane, 60 MPH is the safe norm. When driving my car in Florida (home of the crazy drivers) The left lane seems to be full of idiots who think the posted speed limit is the “minimum speed” If you are not driving at 80-90 MPH they will try to run you down. Where is the Highway Patrol when you need them?
Around my area of Arizona the normal driving speeds (usually in the right lane) appear to be Arizona drivers, with the slowest driving speeds (usually in the left lane) appear to be snowbirds, and the fastest driving speeds in all lanes (and running red lights), are California and some Nevada drivers!
I don’t believe you.
The right lane is the lane heavy trucks spend most of their time so it is the lane with the most pot holes. It can be axle bending rough. So I am guilty of using the left lane but never never under the posted speed limits and never if some are close behind.
I note where Teresa is driving. She should spend some time driving on the perimeter of her state where it seems highways are in a much rougher condition.
I wonder why that is.😊
Whether I am in Canada or the US, a person will get run over driving the “Maximum” posted speed limit in the left lanes.
Driving on the German Autobahn once you pass a car, EVERYONE moves over to the right hand lanes, even if it 150-200 km/hr.
And the Autobahn has no speed limit on most stretches.
Actually, the Autobahn has more speed limited areas than not. At least when I lived over there.
So in the area that Teresa Martinez is talking about. Is 70mph the speed limit or slower than the speed limit. Because if it is the speed limit, then she really has a problem with folks who impede those who want to break the speed limit law. FL just started a similar law, and to me, it is just saying we want the roads clear, so if you choose to break the speed limit, you have a place to do it. Maybe to rake in more fines, I don’t know. No I agree and have a problem with the folks who stay in the left and are going 5mph or 10mph or more, SLOWER than the speed limit. But in practice, the ones who “camp out in that lane” usually are going the speed limit, or 5-10mph over it.
Doesn’t matter. If there is someone behind you wanting to pass, get over.