Central New York Republican Joe Griffo is proposing an addition to New York vehicle and traffic law.

It would ban drivers from staying in the passing lane of an interstate for more than a mile and a half unless they are overtaking or passing another vehicle.

"No doubt in my mind there was something that motivated him to do it," state Senator Pat Gallivan, R-Elma, said.

Griffo's office says it's received complaints from constituents traveling on the Thruway and his legislation would provide law enforcement another resource to ensure the orderly flow of traffic. Gallivan, the former Erie County sheriff, said he wants to better understand the proposal.

"Right now I don't know that it's necessary," he said. "I thought current rules already applied but certainly if there is something there that we need to change the law from the way that it is to make our highways safer, then I would be supportive but I just don't know at this point."

New York State Police is not taking a position on Griffo's bill. However, Troop A Public Information Officer James O'Callaghan said troopers do issue tickets to people driving with or slower than the traffic around them in the left lane.

"On occasion yes, we'll pull somebody over who's impeding traffic in a very congested area, congested because they're primarily the cause and they'll be a little bit surprised at that fact," O'Callaghan said.

He said a driver could also get cited for failing to obey signs that specifically direct slow traffic to the right lane.

"They're periodically down the Thruway. They're periodically down interstates," he said.

Ultimately, Callaghan said it's a safety issue.

"It just bottlenecks the Thruway or interstates and that causes road rage, that causes a lot of collisions," he said.

Griffo's bill is currently in the Senate Rules Committee and could be taken up during the next legislative session.