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Difficulty: HardSpeed Limits and Speed Regulation

A motorist is traveling at 50 mph50\text{ mph} in the far-left lane of a four-lane divided highway with a posted speed limit of 65 mph65\text{ mph}. Light rain is falling, but traffic in the right-hand lanes is moving safely at 60 mph60\text{ mph}, causing faster vehicles to accumulate behind the driver and pass on the right. Which of the following statements correctly evaluates the legal requirements for this driver's speed and lane position?

  1. The driver must move to a right-hand lane because drivers operating slower than the normal flow of traffic are legally required to keep right, even if their reduced speed is due to weather.Answer
  2. B
    The driver is legally prohibited from changing lanes and must maintain 50 mph50\text{ mph} in the left lane until the posted minimum speed limit sign appears.
  3. C
    The driver is fully compliant with all traffic laws because driving below the maximum posted speed limit in wet conditions protects them from all lane-positioning violations.
  4. D
    The driver is legally required to increase their speed to the posted 65 mph65\text{ mph} limit to prevent blocking the left passing lane.

Answer

The driver must move to a right-hand lane because vehicles traveling slower than the normal flow of traffic are legally required to keep right, regardless of whether their lower speed is due to weather conditions.
While the Basic Speed Law allows a driver to slow down to 50 mph50\text{ mph} during rain, traffic regulations specifically mandate that any vehicle traveling slower than the normal flow of surrounding traffic must move to the right-hand lane. Staying in the left lane forces other vehicles to pass on the right, creating a traffic hazard.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the Basic Speed Law against current weather conditions.
The driver determined that 50 mph50\text{ mph} is their safe speed for light rain, which is permissible under speed regulation laws.
The Basic Speed Law mandates that no person shall drive at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent given weather and road conditions.
2
Evaluate lane positioning regulations relative to surrounding traffic flow.
Surrounding traffic is safely navigating at 60 mph60\text{ mph} in the right lanes, making the driver's 50 mph50\text{ mph} speed in the far-left lane an impediment to traffic.
Traffic laws dictate that any vehicle driven at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place under existing conditions must be driven in the right-hand lane.
3
Determine the proper legal action for the driver.
The driver must transition safely to a right-hand lane while maintaining their safe speed of 50 mph50\text{ mph}.
This satisfies both the Basic Speed Law (driving safely for conditions) and speed regulation rules governing traffic flow and passing lanes.

Key Concept

Interaction between the Basic Speed Law and Slow-Moving Vehicle Lane Position Regulations
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Speed Limits and Speed Regulation

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