It's an all-too-common occurrence for time-starved area motorists who try to use the passing lane to compensate for running behind schedule.

State lawmakers know the feeling, too. They are notoriously tardy to meetings in Columbia, so much so that many joke about being in their own time zone. Think of it as Statehouse Standard Time -- about 15 minutes behind Eastern Standard Time.

So the lawmakers did what any good politicians would do: They got to the root of the problem and passed a law to fix it.

But that effort designed, in part, to smooth their treks to the Statehouse failed Tuesday when the House upheld a veto by Gov. Mark Sanford. It was one of two of Sanford's 11 vetoes the Legislature sustained.

The measure, passed in the final days of the session, basically would have made it unlawful to stay in the left lane when cars behind wanted to pass.

Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, originally devised the bill as a safety measure to limit road rage against the slow drivers who often clog the passing lane. He said it was the idea of state highway troopers.

For some lawmakers, it was personal.

"It's my No. 1 pet peeve," said Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, fresh off an upsetting drive to the Statehouse. "The left lane is not for driving the speed limit. The left lane is for passing."

We needed "to do something about those people who don't know how to drive," she added.

It's an irritation shared by many local drivers, such as Liz Doupnik, 19, of Charleston. The College of Charleston student says she's a fast driver, averaging 5 to 10 mph over the speed limit.

"I usually go around them," she said. "If I have to be somewhere, then it bothers me."

Lorenzo White, a cook who lives in North Charleston, said he always stays in the fast lane."I get frustrated sometimes, but I don't flash my lights," he said. "I just ride behind them and wait for them to move over."

White, 24, said he wouldn't support the legislation. "I don't believe anybody should get a ticket for following the law," he said.

Chrystal Thomas, 22, of Johns Island said, "I got my first ticket two days after I got my restricted license. That kind of taught me to slow my tail down." She said she wouldn't support the law.

Lawmakers' zeal ultimately helped kill the bill.

Sanford said, "I personally sympathize with the feeling that motivated this legislation," but he vetoed it because the penalties were too harsh.

Drivers found in violation could have been fined $150 and docked two points on their driving records.

"This is a strong consequence ... in light of another bill recently delivered to me that would set the fine for failing to wear a seat belt at only $25," Sanford wrote in his veto message.

The Senate disagreed and overrode the veto. But the measure failed to gain a two-thirds majority in the House, on a 50 to 59 vote.

MARY ANN CHASTAIN/AP Legislators return Tuesday to the Statehouse in Columbia. Newly elected speaker Rep. Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, answers questions from the podium.

"I don't think we need laws for every cotton-picking thing," said Rep. Billy Witherspoon, R-Conway.

Peeler said he'd try again next year.

The House upheld one other Sanford veto and deferred another as they overrode the majority with overwhelming votes.

One that becomes state law allows students at Bob Jones University to be eligible for Palmetto Fellows Scholarships. The students previously were excluded because the fundamentalist Christian school lacks accreditation.

The House wrapped up other business as Rep. Dan Cooper, R-Piedmont, was selected to succeed Speaker-elect Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, as the next Ways and Means chairman. Summerville Republican Annette Young replaced Cooper as vice chairman.

Also, the House Republican Caucus reelected Rep. Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island, as Majority Leader.

The session ended Tuesday. Lawmakers won't return until January.