Drivers who cruise in the left lane on Florida roadways would face a fine of up to $158 if the bill is passed.
A new bill in the Florida legislature sponsored by Republican Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka seeks to facilitate law enforcement’s ability to penalize drivers who continuously drive in the left lane.
House Bill 421 makes it a punishable offense, through fines, to remain in the farthest left lane on any road, street, or highway with two or more lanes heading in the same direction, where the posted speed limit is at least 65 mph.
The bill’s text states that “a driver may not continuously operate a motor vehicle in the furthermost left-hand lane, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle, when preparing to exit the road, street, or highway, or when otherwise directed by an official traffic control device.” However, the bill does not apply to carpool lanes, authorized emergency vehicles, maintenance and construction crews, or left-side exit lanes.
Florida law currently requires drivers in the left lane to move over if they are aware that another driver is overtaking them, and this law applies to all types of roadways, except when a left-hand turn is being made or when another vehicle is being passed. Republican Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka has introduced House Bill 421, which aims to clarify that the left lane should only be used for passing and make it easier for law enforcement to enforce the existing law. A similar bill, SB 464, was also introduced in the Florida Senate on March 7. The proposed legislation suggests that violators will face a non-criminal traffic infraction and a fine of up to $158.
“A lot of people want to get in that lane and drive the speed limit, but that’s not what that lane is for. And it drives people absolutely crazy when they get in that lane and people are driving the speed limit,” the police department stated.
