Highway safety is at the top of most lawmakers’ list of concerns. North Carolina participates in an initiative called Vision Zero. This collaborative has the goal of zero deaths on our roadways. To that end, new guidelines and laws are always being introduced that will help improve traffic safety. A new law going into effect in December 2025 specifically targets Interstate highway safety.
North Carolina House Bill 864
Legislators introduced N.C.H.B. 864, set to take effect on December 1. The legislation provides for improved safety on Interstate highways through a couple of factors. Driving too slowly or driving more slowly in the left lane of a multi-lane highway can be dangerous.
Increase in Minimum Speed on Interstates and Primary Highways
The new law proposes to increase the minimum speed limit to prevent potential accidents. The bill states, “No person shall operate a motor vehicle on the highway at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law”. The law does not apply to farm tractors.
In areas where the speed limit is 55 mph, the minimum speed allowed is 45 mph. When the speed limit is 60 mph, the minimum speed is 50 mph. When the speed limit is 65 mph, the minimum speed is 55. When the speed limit is 70 mph, the minimum speed is 60. It is important to note that the law applies only to areas where minimum speed limit signs are posted.
Left Lane for Passing Only
On multiple lane highways, the left lane is supposed to be used only for passing. Vehicles are not allowed to drive in the furthest left lane unless they are overtaking another vehicle. As a note of interest, all vehicles are required to pass on the left side, not the right side. Also, the shoulder is not to be used for passing. The new law specifically addresses large trucks.
The bill states, “Except when entering or exiting the highway, a motor vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more shall not operate in the left most lane of a controlled-access highway with six or more lanes.”
New Law Effective December 1, 2025
The new law takes effect on December 1, 2025. It applies to vehicles traveling on Interstates and other primary highways that have multiple lanes of traffic. North Carolina is the third state to enact this specific type of law. The law is designed to reduce the risk for drivers who come upon a slow driver unexpectedly. Driving too slowly is the cause of serious accidents on the highway. Vehicles traveling at the speed limit can get behind a slow driver without enough warning to slow down or stop. This results in rear-end or multiple vehicle collisions, sometimes at high rates of speed.
If you or a loved one was hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our legal team today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to request a consultation.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2023/h864
https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_20/GS_20-149.html
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https://www.freeimages.com/photo/crash-car-1-1180905
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