The differences in speed among vehicles on a road, not high speeds alone, are more likely to contribute to an accident… that’s the science behind the law. To put it another way, a vehicle traveling much more slowly than the other vehicles on a road, especially in the left lane, is more likely to be the cause a crash than a car traveling in the left lane at a high rate of speed but generally the same speed at which all the surrounding cars are traveling.
The slower car backs up vehicles behind it, causing people to brake and change lanes more frequently. Both are more dangerous maneuvers than simply driving straight ahead. Lane changes cause as many as 10 percent of highway crashes.
Below are the states that Interstate 95 passes through and the specific “keep right” laws that govern driver behavior.
Maine
Law: 29A-2052(6)
Excerpt: “An operator driving on a limited-access way with a speed limit of 65 or more miles per hour is restricted in ordinary operation to the right-hand lane and may use adjacent lanes for overtaking and passing another vehicle, but must return to the right-hand lane at the earliest opportunity. This requirement does not apply to an authorized emergency vehicle, or to a vehicle otherwise directed by posted signs, a law enforcement officer or a highway maintenance crew.”
Fine: $25 – $500
New Hampshire
Law: RSA 265:16
Excerpt: “Motor vehicles shall not be operated continuously in the left lane of a multilane roadway whenever it impedes the flow of other traffic at or below the posted speed limit unless reasonable and prudent under the conditions having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.”
Fine: $50 plus penalty assessment
Massachusetts
Law: MGL 89-4B
Excerpt: Upon all ways the driver of a vehicle shall drive in the lane nearest the right side of the way when such lane is available for travel, except when overtaking another vehicle or when preparing for a left turn.
Fine: up to $100.
Rhode Island
Law: 31-15-2
Excerpt: “Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction”
Fine: $85
Connecticut
Law: 14-230(b)
Excerpt: “Upon all highways, each vehicle, other than a vehicle described in subsection (c) of this section, shall be driven upon the right, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction”
Fine: $88
New York
Law: V&TL 1120
Excerpt: “Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement”
Fine: up to $450 and/or imprisonment for up to 90 days
New Jersey
Law: 39:4-88
Excerpt: “A vehicle shall normally be driven in the lane nearest the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway when that lane is available for travel, except when overtaking another vehicle or in preparation for a left turn”
Fine: $50-$200, and/or imprisonment for up to 15 days, or both
Pennsylvania
Law: 75-3313(d), 75-3301(b)
Excerpt: “Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction where permitted by the rules governing such movement”
Fine: $25
Delaware
Law: 21-4114(b)
Excerpt: “Whenever any highway has been divided into 2 or more roads by an intervening space or by a physical barrier or clearly indicated dividing section so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic, every vehicle shall be driven only upon the right-hand road unless directed or permitted to use another road by official traffic-control devices or police officers.”
Fine: $25 – $75
Maryland
Law: 21-301
Excerpt: “On every roadway that is wide enough, a vehicle shall be driven on the right half of the roadway, except while overtaking and passing another vehicle going in the same direction, under the rules governing this movement”
Fine: up to $500
Virginia
Law: 46.2-804(1) 46.2-842.1
Excerpt: “It shall be unlawful to fail to give way to overtaking traffic when driving a motor vehicle to the left and abreast of another motor vehicle on a divided highway. The driver of the overtaken vehicle shall move to the right to allow the overtaking vehicle to pass as soon as the overtaken vehicle can safely do so”
Fine: up to $750
North Carolina
Law: 20-146(b),(e)
Excerpt: “Upon all highways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the highway except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement”
Fine: up to $100
South Carolina
Law: 56-5-1810
Excerpt: “Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement.”
Fine: Varies
Georgia
Law: 40-6-40(b), 40-6-184
Excerpt: “Upon roads, streets, or highways with two or more lanes allowing for movement in the same direction, no person shall continue to operate a motor vehicle in the passing lane once such person knows or should reasonably know that he or she is being overtaken in such lane from the rear by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed. For purposes of this Code section, “passing lane” means the most left-hand lane other than a high occupancy vehicle lane.”
Fine: Varies by location
Florida
Law: 316.081(2) and (3)
Excerpt: “On a road, street, or highway having two or more lanes allowing movement in the same direction, a driver may not continue to operate a motor vehicle in the furthermost left-hand lane if the driver knows or reasonably should know that he or she is being overtaken in that lane from the rear by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed.”
Fine: minimum $121
For more I-95 travel info, visit www.i95exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to America’s Interstate Main Street. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Maine to Florida!
Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide, I-10 Exit Guide and I-75 Exit Guide.
