HB809: HB809 Motor vehicles; minimum speed limit of 50 miles per hour on certain highways; provide

26 LC 39 4961S The House Committee on Motor Vehicles offers the following substitute to HB 809: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 9 of Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Cod e of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to speed restrictions, so as to provide for a minimum speed limit of 50 miles per hour2 on certain highways; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal3 conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Article 9 of Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Geor gia Annotated, relating to7 speed restrictions, is amended by revising Code Section 40-6-18 4, relating to impeding8 traffic flow, minimum speed limits, and slower driving in a passing lane, as follows:9 "40-6-184.10 (a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and11 reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation.12 (b) Whenever the commissioner of public safety or the commissioner of transportation or13 local authorities determine on the basis of any engineering and traffic investigation that14 slow speeds on any part of a road under their respective jurisd ictions impede the normal15 and reasonable movement of traffic, such commissioners jointly, or such local authorities,16 H. B. 809 (SUB) - 1 - 26 LC 39 4961S may determine and declare a minimum speed limit below which no person shall drive a17 vehicle except when necessary for safe operation, and such limit shall be effective when18 posted upon fixed or variable signs.19 (c) On a controlled-access highway which is part of The Dwight D. Eisenhower System20 of Interstate and Defense Highways or Georgia Highway 400 with a speed limit of 65 miles21 per hour or greater, the minimum speed limit for such highway shall be 50 miles per hour.22 (c)(d) Upon roads, streets, or highways with two or more lanes allowing for movement in23 the same direction, no person shall continue to operate a motor vehicle in the passing lane24 once such person knows or should reasonably know that he or she is being overtaken in25 such lane from the rear by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed. As used in26 For purposes of this Code section, the term 'passing lane' means the most left-hand lane27 other than a high occupancy vehicle lane.28 (d)(e) Subsection (c) (d) of this Code section shall not apply:29 (1) When traffic conditions or congestion make it necessary to drive in the passing lane;30 (2) When inclement weather, obstructions, or hazards make it necessary to drive in the31 passing lane;32 (3) When compliance with a law of this state or with an offici al traffic control device33 makes it necessary to drive in the passing lane;34 (4) When a vehicle must be driven in the passing lane to exit or turn left;35 (5) On toll highways, when necessary to pay a toll or use a pass;36 (6) To authorized emergency vehicles engaged in official duties; or37 (7) To vehicles engaged in highway maintenance and construction operations."38 SECTION 2.39 This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2027.40 SECTION 3.41 H. B. 809 (SUB) - 2 - 26 LC 39 4961S All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.42 H. B. 809 (SUB) - 3 -