Quote:
Originally Posted by Randall55
All true. ON HIGHWAYS. My nephew doesn't believe me, either. He has been pulled over for careless driving in cities and towns throughout Florida, 5 times. (Over a span of years) Each time, he uses his misguided beliefs that the left lane is supposed to be used for passing as his defense. Each time, a judge explains the rules of driving in towns. Honking, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, intimidation, and going over the speed limit to pass safe speed vehicles will cost you $350 each time caught. He was forced to pay the fine, each time. Again, there are left turns at most intersections. You must allow a driver(s) to prepare and make his left turn.This is not rocket science!
Of course, those who drive well under the speed limit will be ticketed. I have not experienced much of this in the Villages. Instead, I see many drivers exceeding the speed limits on a daily basis.
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On highways????? Is that the law???? Because here is the applicable statute (again):
Florida 316.081:
(3)
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. This subsection does not apply to drivers operating a vehicle that is overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or is preparing for a left turn at an intersection.
Note: ROAD, STREET or highway, not just a highway
More likely than not your relative was convicted of "honking, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, intimidation, and going over the speed limit to pass safe speed vehicles", because his defense of the left lane being a passing lane was
100% correct under the law. Unfortunately, the "other driver" was not ticketed for failure to move over when a faster vehicle approached from behind, but that does not absolved your nephew of his driving behavior.
PS: The "judge" in some of these one-horse towns may be just that---a horse farmer, and not well versed in the actual law, just what he wants it to be in his town on his little power trip.