DRIVERS have been cautioned about a driving law that penalizes them for driving too slow.
Under the “slow poke law,” New York drivers could face $150 fines, points on their license, or an insurance spike.
New York drivers who drive too slow could face a bunch of penalties[/caption]
Drivers have probably heard of “keep right” laws, but now, more states are cracking down on so-called “slowpokes” who cruise in the left lane without passing.
While “slow poke law” isn’t an official legal term, it’s commonly used to describe rules that penalize drivers for clogging up the passing lane.
Nearly every state requires slower traffic to stay to the right, but a growing number are getting more specific, targeting drivers who linger in the left lane—even if they’re going the speed limit.
These laws aim to reduce road rage, improve traffic flow, and remind drivers that the left lane is for passing, not sightseeing.
So if you’re not actively overtaking, it might be time to move over.
In New York, the left lane is for passing and state law requires drivers to stay in the right lane unless they’re passing, avoiding an obstacle, or driving on a one-way or multi-lane road.
“Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic… must be driven in the right-hand lane available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway — unless overtaking another vehicle or preparing for a left turn,” according to the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law 1120.
Even if you’re going the speed limit, hanging out in the left lane without passing another vehicle is against the rules.
On roads with three or more lanes, only the far-left lane is for passing, not the middle ones.
For those who ignore the driving law, the consequences are steeper than you might think.
Get caught cruising in the left lane without passing, and you could face 3 points on your driver’s license, a fine of up to $150 for a first offense, and a mandatory $93 surcharge.
That’s not even counting the potential spike in your auto insurance premiums.
Drivers could face a citation or warning along with other violations like driving too fast or too slow.
New York City drivers have often complained that slow drivers, especially in the left lane, can cause unnecessary traffic congestion.
- Alabama: Keep right unless passing or turning left. Fines up to $200.
- Arizona: Must move right if a faster car approaches—even if you’re speeding.
- California: Slower drivers must stay right—even if under the speed limit only.
- Colorado: Left lane use banned (65+ MPH zones) unless passing or traffic is heavy.
- Connecticut: Slower drivers are required to stay in the right lane.
- Delaware: Slower vehicles must stay on the right side of the road.
- Florida: Left lane hogging is a moving violation; must yield to faster traffic.
- Georgia: “Slowpoke Law” requires drivers to move over for faster cars, even if speeding.
- Hawaii: Stay right unless passing; Honolulu bans going 5+ MPH under limit in left lane.
- Idaho: Slower traffic must keep right.
- Illinois: Keep right except to pass on highways.
- Indiana: Must move right for faster traffic; fines possible under 2015 law.
- Iowa: Slower traffic should keep right.
- Kansas: Use right lane unless passing.
- Kentucky: Drive right except when overtaking.
- Louisiana: Keep right except to pass; must yield to overtaking cars.
- Maine: Stay right unless passing (65+ MPH roads).
- Maryland: Keep right if driving 10+ MPH below the limit or slower than traffic.
- Massachusetts: Use rightmost lane unless passing or turning.
- Michigan: Keep right except to pass—unless in traffic or on 3+ lane roads.
- Minnesota: Stay right unless overtaking.
- Mississippi: Right lane driving required unless passing.
- Missouri: Drivers must stay right.
- Montana: Slower traffic must keep right.
- Nebraska: Left lane drivers must yield to faster vehicles.
- New Hampshire: Slower drivers must stay right.
- New Jersey: Keep right except when passing.
- New Mexico: Slower vehicles should stay to the right.
- New York: Must keep right unless passing; left-lane cruising is a violation.
- North Carolina: Keep right if below the speed limit.
- North Dakota: Slower drivers must stay right.
- Ohio: Slower vehicles must stay in right lanes.
- Oklahoma: Two laws require keeping right if slower than speed limit or traffic.
- Oregon: Slower traffic must stay right; $250 fine proposed for left-lane lingering.
- Pennsylvania: Keep right unless passing or driving faster than traffic.
- Rhode Island: Slower traffic must use the right lane.
- South Carolina: 2021 law bans cruising in left lane on highways.
- South Dakota: Only applies to slow-moving vehicles.
- Tennessee: Must yield left lane to faster traffic.
- Texas: “Left lane for passing only” posted on many highways; $200 fine possible.
- Utah: Must move right to allow faster drivers to pass.
- Vermont: Slower traffic must stay to the right.
- Virginia: Left lane drivers must yield when signaled by faster vehicles.
- West Virginia: Slower drivers must stay right.
- Wisconsin: Slower traffic must keep to the right.
- Wyoming: Right lane required for slower-moving traffic.
“I see it regularly on the 95, the 87, the 287, the Hutch…I could go on,” one driver posted on Reddit.
“My friends and I think it got worse when society returned from the covid break. And I’d estimate at least half of all traffic jams I’m stuck in are caused by this.”
Some even debated whether increased signage and ticketing is the right solution.
“I don’t think signs are the right answer,” another commented.
“Local law enforcement should more vigorously enforce the ‘keep right, pass left’ laws that are on the books.”
“Until people understand they will consistently be ticketed for this, behavior won’t change,” they added.
