The legislative chambers of Florida have endorsed a measure to combat leisurely driving in the left lane, awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ approval. The legislation, which gained unanimous support in the state Senate with a vote of 37-0, is now at the precipice of implementation.
State Sen. Keith Perry, the bill’s primary advocate, articulated the purpose behind the proposed law, stating that passing slower vehicles on the right side constitutes an infraction, subjecting offenders to potential fines.
The bill, labeled HB 317, dictates that on roadways featuring two or more lanes and a speed limit of at least 65 miles per hour, motorists are prohibited from occupying the far left lane except when overtaking other vehicles, preparing for an exit, or following instructions from traffic control devices.
An exemption is provided for high occupancy lanes, emphasizing the legislation’s focus on promoting highway safety. The bill’s inception owes credit to Republican state Representatives Jenna Persons-Mulicka and Melony Bell in the House and Sen. Perry in the Senate.
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Violation of the proposed law would result in fines for moving violations, reaching a maximum of $158. Nevertheless, authorized emergency vehicles and those involved in highway maintenance or construction operations are exempted from this restriction.
Perry said the measure is intended to improve highway safety. “Last year we had 247 instances where people were either incapacitated or deaths that happened from improper passing on the right-hand side on someone’s blindside,” he told Action News Jax last week.
Should DeSantis sign the bill, Florida would join eight other states where it is currently illegal to drive in the left lane except for turning left or passing, according to AutoInsurance.org. States with those restrictions include Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
“If someone in the left lane is going slower, and you pass them (on the right), you are creating an infraction, and you can get ticketed,” Perry said.
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“Driving is a uniform practice across the United States, so most don’t think twice before crossing new state lines. However, many states have their traffic laws that pose legal penalties and physical dangers if not obeyed,” said Jeffrey Johnson, an insurance lawyer.
Jeffrey Johnson, an insurance lawyer, emphasized the variation in traffic laws across different states and the importance of adhering to local regulations. He noted that 27 states mandate drivers to keep right if they move slower than surrounding vehicles, highlighting the need for awareness and compliance with state-specific traffic laws.
House Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, is behind the plan.
“It’s not only a cause of frustration for us, but it creates a dangerous situation,” Persons-Mulicka said. “It creates a situation of less predictability, more encounters, more maneuvers, more accidents, and more opportunities for increased road rage.”
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Exceptions will be made for emergency vehicles or drivers attempting to pass another car, drivers overtaking and passing another vehicle. The exception also applies when preparing to exit the road, street, or highway and when otherwise directed by an official traffic control device.
A similar bill (SB 258) is scheduled to come up in the full Senate later this week. If passed, the law will take effect January 1, 2025.
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