What is the Tennessee Slow Poke Law?

The Tennessee Slow Poke Law prevents motorists from traveling in a highway’s left lane unless they are passing a vehicle. In doing so, the law helps keep traffic moving smoothly on state highways.

If you drive a car in Tennessee, you must comply with the state’s Slow Poke Law. Failure to do so can put you and other motorists in danger. Along with this, you could be penalized for your actions.

Of course, if a motorist chooses not to follow the Tennessee left-lane law and is liable for your accident, you may be able to hold them accountable. In this situation, you will need legal help from a Nashville car accident lawyer. If you meet with a lawyer, you will have a chance to ask questions about the Slow Poke Law and how it could apply to your case. From here, your attorney can help you take legal action against the at-fault motorist.

How does the Tennessee Slow Poke Law work?

The Slow Poke Law is defined in the Tennessee Code Annotated. Per the TCA Slow Poke Law, a vehicle cannot travel in the far left lane on a highway with three or more lanes unless the driver is passing. This is due to the fact that all lanes other than the one on the far left are considered non-passing lanes.

For example, imagine that you are driving on U.S. Route 27, which is a four-lane highway. You are traveling in one of the middle lanes. However, the vehicle in front of you is traveling at a speed below the posted limit of 70 miles per hour (MPH).

You want to pass the car in front of you. To do so, move your vehicle into the far left lane. Pass by the vehicle that was traveling below the posted speed limit. Finally, you return to the middle lane you were in before.

If you followed these steps, you have complied with the Slow Poke Law. Most importantly, you safely moved in front of the car that was traveling slower than expected. You can continue your journey and avoid the far left lane of the highway unless you need to pass vehicles again down the line.

What is the slowest you can legally drive in the left lane on an interstate highway?

You must travel at least 55 MPH if you are in the left lane on an interstate highway. Police officers will enforce speed limits for drivers in alignment with Tennessee Code § 55-8-152. If you decide not to comply with the Slow Poke Law or other state regulations, the authorities will punish you.

Generally, a Slow Poke Law violation is classified as a Class C misdemeanor based on Tenn. Code Ann. § 40–35–110. You could be fined $50 if you break this law. On top of that, you could cause an accident that results in injuries or fatalities.

Are there any exceptions to Tennessee’s Slow Poke Law?

There are times when it is legal to drive in the far left lane of a highway without passing. Exceptions to Tennessee’s Slow Poke Law include:

• Road construction
• Poor weather conditions
• Obstructions in a non-passing lane

You should do everything you can to avoid traveling in a passing lane unless it is absolutely necessary to do so. If you drive in this lane, proceed cautiously, keep an eye out for other motorists, and move back into a non-passing lane as soon as possible.

What should I do if I get into an accident while passing a car on a highway?

First, you should move your car to a safe spot away from traffic. Next, use these tips to respond to the incident without putting yourself or anyone else in further danger.

Call for help

Dial 911, which will prompt medical professionals and police officers to come to the scene. Medical personnel can evaluate your injuries and bring you to a hospital if warranted. Police officers can get information from you and others involved in your crash. They can use this information to prepare a police report.

Take photos and videos at the scene

Use your smartphone to capture photos and videos of the accident scene and your injuries. This gives you evidence you may be able to use in a case against anyone liable for your accident.

Get information from the other driver

Ask this motorist for their contact, auto insurance, and driver’s license information. You will need this information if you want to submit an insurance claim or file a personal injury lawsuit.

Notify your auto insurer

Contact your insurance company, and the business will open a claim. Your insurer can reach out to the other motorist’s insurance provider to determine who is at fault for your collision.

Hire a car accident attorney

Connect with Nashville personal injury attorneys who have auto accident case experience. Explain what happened that led to your accident and provide your lawyer with as much information as you can about the incident. Your lawyer can let you know if you have grounds for recovering damages from the other motorist or other parties involved in your crash.

Do not wait to pursue legal help for your auto crash. According to Tennessee Code § 28-3-104, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is one year. After this window closes, you are solely responsible for your accident-related losses.

Do you need to hire a lawyer after a left-lane accident?

Hiring a car crash attorney can benefit you now and in the future. Your lawyer can negotiate with an insurance company for you. If an at-fault party’s insurance company offers a settlement, your lawyer can discuss the offer with you to determine whether it is fair. If not, you may opt to move forward with a personal injury lawsuit.

In your lawsuit, you can ask for economic and non-economic damages. These can include compensation for your pain and suffering, auto repair bills, and other accident-related expenses. Your attorney can help you gather an abundance of evidence to support your damages request. If you have compelling proof, you will be well-equipped to secure fair compensation.

Trust a car accident lawyer who will not back down when your future is on the line

If a driver violates Tennessee’s Slow Poke Law and is responsible for your auto accident, request compensation from them. Select a lawyer who will give your auto crash case the attention it deserves. They will do what it takes to help you achieve your desired case result.

Rocky McElhaney Law Firm: Car Accident & Injury Lawyers provides experienced legal representation to auto crash victims and their families. We focus exclusively on helping the injured obtain compensation. Throughout your case, we will make sure your legal rights are upheld. Plus, we can address your legal concerns and questions every step of the way. To schedule a free case consultation, contact us today. We have offices located in Nashville, Hendersonville, Clarksville and Murfreesboro.