The Georgia Dept. of Transportation will soon be installing signs along U.S. 80 in Chatham County, GA, restricting trucks with more than six wheels to the right lane in an attempt to reduce traffic congestion.
Port Wentworth Police Chief Matt Libby said he welcomes the signs as a way to increase public awareness. State law already prohibits trucks from driving in the left lane, except for passing, but the restriction does not prevent the practice, Libby said in a Savannah Morning News report.
Police typically only enforce the restriction for extreme violations when tractor-trailers with heavy loads operate side by side in both lanes while traveling through the city limits, according to Pooler Police Chief Mark Revenew. The trucks can’t accelerate at a reasonable rate after a red light or when in stop-and-go traffic, thus effectively obstructing all traffic behind them, he said.
“We recognize and appreciate (truckers’) contribution to our economy, but they must understand that operating through any congested city requires them to recognize their sluggish performance and how it affects all traffic,” he said.
Fifteen signs will be located on U.S. 80 between mile posts 0 and 12. If the signs work, transportation department officials say they will put up additional signs along other roads in the county.
