The California Highway Patrol (CHP) cited a driver for obstructing traffic by driving too slowly in the left lane of a heavily traveled highway in the Santa Barbara area.
The CHP reported that a driver was spotted traveling at 58 m.p.h. southbound on US-101, south of Linden, in the left lane, “which caused at least five vehicles to pass him on the right due to the traffic jam.”
A CHP – Santa Barbara An officer from the division pulled the vehicle over and issued a citation for violating Section 21654(a) of the California Vehicle Code, which requires slower vehicles to move into the right lane.
The driver explained to the officer that his car “is moving very slowly because it has a lot of miles on it.”
The CHP used the incident to remind others of the dangers of driving in the left lane.
“The left lane is intended for passing. Remaining in the passing lane while driving at a speed significantly slower than the flow of traffic can cause traffic jams, frustration, and increase the risk of dangerous lane changes and, possibly, accidents. If your vehicle cannot safely keep up with traffic, move to the right lane and allow other vehicles to pass you. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order,” the officers said.
