Hawk Law Group | November 28, 2024 | Georgia Law
The Georgia Department of Public Safety defines a “truck” as any vehicle with more than six wheels. As such, the term “trucks” includes moving trucks, commercial and long-haul trucks, and any similar vehicles. Exceptions include motor coaches and buses.
Confusion, however, may occur on highways with three or more lanes going in the same direction. Drivers may wonder whether one lane is for trucks only or if there’s a fast truck lane for passing. Georgia traffic laws oversee all traffic safety regulations, including which lanes trucks are allowed to use throughout the state.
Is There A Georgia Passing Lane For Trucks?
Georgia law deems it illegal for trucks to drive in any lane except the two right lanes unless a driver needs to make a left turn. That allowance is because trucks require more space than other vehicles to turn safely. Making a turn from a too narrow or crowded lane could increase the risk of an accident or cause elevated traffic congestion.
How large is a lane? That depends on the type of roadway. Freeways, for instance, are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Highway Administration, which has set the size of freeway lanes (both rural and urban) to 12 feet wide.
While cars and other passenger vehicles are allowed to use designated passing zones on Georgia freeways, trucks cannot use the fast lane to pass by. Driving in the left lane is prohibited even for out-of-state trucks in Georgia; every driver is expected to obey the laws of the state they are traveling through, regardless of their origin.
Is The Left Lane The Fast Lane For Trucks?
The left lane may be used for passing on certain roadways, but there is no designated “fast lane” on highways. All drivers, including truck drivers, must adhere to Georgia’s speed limits regardless of the lane they are using.
The various speed limits are as follows:
- 20 MPH in school zones
- 30 MPH on residential streets
- 35 MPH on unpaved country roads
- 65 MPH on interested in urban areas with populations of less than 50,000
- 65 MPH on state-divided highways
- 70 MPH on interstates with divided highways
- 55 MPH on all other roadways
When in doubt, look for speed limit signs. It can be tempting to see certain lanes as either fast or slow, but there isn’t a special “fast lane” speed limit in Georgia. Violating speed limit laws can result in expensive tickets and up to 12 months in jail for the first offense.
Speeding is especially dangerous in big vehicles like trucks. The weight and size of such a vehicle can cause fatal injuries, even at low speeds.
Is Driving In The Left Lane Allowed For Slow Cars?
Getting stuck behind a slow driver on the highway is more than just frustrating; it can also be dangerous enough to cause a car accident. Trying to pass on the right lane can make the situation even worse. As such, it’s illegal to pass any vehicle on the right in Georgia (and other states as well).
Driving below the speed limit in the left lane is considered illegal in areas of Georgia where the law prohibits impeding the normal flow of traffic. However, drivers traveling at the speed limit and those passing another vehicle in the center or right-most lane can use the left lane.
Be aware of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes where it may be illegal to travel if you are not driving a bus, a passenger vehicle carrying two or more people, or other designated vehicles.
Staying Safe On Georgia Roadways
Trucks are not allowed to use the left lane on three-lane roadways unless they are making a left-hand turn. However, you may still be found at fault if you collide with a vehicle that was breaking the law. Always pay attention to and follow the rules of the road to ensure your safe travels throughout the state.
Contact the Truck Accident Lawyers In the Central Savannah River Area at Hawk Law Group for Legal Assistance Today
For more information, please contact the truck accident lawyers at Hawk Law Group at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve throughout the Central Savannah River Area and its surrounding areas:
Hawk Law Group – Augusta, GA
338 Telfair St, Augusta, GA 30901, United States
(706) 722 3500
Hawk Law Group – Evans, GA
4384 River Watch Pkwy, Evans, GA 30809, United States
(706) 863 6500
Hawk Law Group – Thomson, GA
146 Railroad St A, Thomson, GA 30824, United States
(706) 361 0350
Hawk Law Group – Waynesboro, GA
827 Liberty St, Waynesboro, GA 30830, United States
(706) 437 9122
Hawk Law Group – Aiken County, SC
156 Laurens St NW, Aiken, SC 29801, United States
(803) 226 9089
We also serve in Edgefield County, SC.
