Every day millions of trucks are on American roads and highways, hauling every type of freight you can imagine. Trucks are necessary to keep our economy moving; they get goods and items where they need to be for manufacturing and commerce. With so many trucks sharing the roads with typical passenger vehicles, truck drivers must adhere to lane rules in Georgia.
What are the Rules?
According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, any vehicle equipped with more than six wheels, except buses and motor coaches, must obey the following rules in Georgia:
- On roads, streets, or highways with three or more lanes allowing for movement in the same direction, it shall be unlawful for any truck to operate in any lanes other than the two most right-hand lanes, except when the truck is preparing for a left turn.
- On roads, streets, or highways with two or more lanes allowing for movement in the same direction, it shall be unlawful for any truck to operate in the left-hand lane except when the truck is actually overtaking and passing another vehicle or preparing for a left turn.
Why Are There Rules?
Most drivers have been stuck behind a truck in the left lane of a highway or interstate. More than just irritating, slow-moving vehicles in the left lane can be potentially dangerous. While most truck drivers are safe drivers and follow traffic rules, the sheer size of a truck with more than six wheels makes them different to drive in regular passenger vehicles. It takes longer for trucks to accelerate and reach the speed of the flow of traffic. It also takes a truck much longer to come to a complete stop, simply because of its size and weight.
Also, when drivers get stuck behind slow-moving trucks in the left lane, drivers tend to weave in and out of lanes more, as well as slowing or speeding up repeatedly. This puts everyone on the road around the lane weavers at risk for a potential accident.
If you or someone you care about has been injured by a vehicle equipped with more than six wheels, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact us at the Fry Law Firm at 404-969-1284 to set up a free consultation.