VALDOSTA — Law Enforcement reminds motorists to respect the new Slow Poke Law, requiring drivers to yield the left lane to faster traffic.

Some have claimed that if following the speed limit any lane is acceptable to use in a multi-lane highway.  The law, though, states otherwise, and that is what will be enforced.  Authorities remind motorists that if you’re holding up traffic in left lanes, you are required to move over to the right by either speeding up and merging, or slowing down and merging.  No one is allowed to impede the flow of traffic in left lanes or face getting a ticket.

Lowndes County Sheriff’s Deputies are enforcing the law as a means to both improve the flow of traffic and safety.  Both at the heart of the new law.  If officers believe a motorist is impeding traffic, they will issue a ticket.

Lowndes County Deputy Lt. Mike Adams was quoted in a WALB report that the new law helps reduce aggressive driving, too.

“Fingers start flying and everything else and before you know it, you’ve got someone that’s gotten wrecked just because they wouldn’t get over and let the other person go by,” Lt. Adams stated in the report. “The law says that you have to either pull forward and get over or you have to slow down and get over.”

This law coincides with the law requiring motorists to move over a lane for emergency vehicles.  Both are important in keeping traffic moving and promoting safety.