Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Whit Johnson reporting Have you ever been stuck in a line of cars on a two-lane highway because one driver was just moving slower than everybody else? People have complained about that very problem to Utah lawmakers, and now they're doing something about it.
A new bill proposes slow cars get out of the way or get a ticket. If multiple vehicles are slowing down because you're not driving fast enough, this law would actually require you to pull over and let the other cars pass.
Phillip Taylor says, "Just having to wait another whole hour coming down because of one car, it's kind of a bother."
It usually happens on two-lane highways that pass through canyons or go up and over hills.
John Poore says, "It's good to be cautious, but some people are just overly cautious, and it really gets in the way."
And now lawmakers may soon require those slow moving drivers to pay more attention to their surroundings. Today the Utah House of Representatives unanimously approved House Bill 402, which, in summary, would require a driver to pull over in a safe location if five or more vehicles are following closely behind.
Rep. Fred Hunsaker said, "The Highway Patrol is not always going to be right on the site to catch violators, but we're hoping that we can educate people to be conscious and be aware."
Representative Hunsaker is the chief sponsor of the bill. It's similar to laws already enforced in states such as California, Idaho and Washington. "It just caused a lot of frustration, and it is a safety issue," he said.
Safety is also why the Utah Highway Patrol is voicing support for the measure. Trooper Cameron Roden said, "People get too close to each other, and as traffic stops suddenly, cars run into the back of each other."
House Bill 402 has encountered little opposition and is expected to become law whether drivers like it or not.
Wendy Charlton says, "I've been the slow moving car and I have pulled over, but I didn't need a law to tell me to pull over."
Poore said, "I think it would be good. Hopefully it would make people more aware that they're causing more of a hazard by being too cautious."
If it's signed into law, House Bill 402 would compliment laws already in place requiring slow drivers to move out of the fast lane. Also, it does not matter if the drivers behind you are speeding, it's still safer for you to move out of the way.
