Left lane use under review in six statehouses

Bills in statehouses from Maryland to Florida seek to limit left lane use for large trucks. Elsewhere, legislation would apply left-lane-use rules to all vehicles.

OOIDA believes that truck drivers are first-hand observers of the negative consequences of misguided traffic laws, and while perhaps not intended, efforts to restrict trucks from certain lanes pose serious challenges for truckers and jeopardize the safety of the traveling public.

Kentucky

In a complete disregard for the concerns of professional drivers, one Kentucky bill would restrict truck travel from the far left-hand lane of certain highways.

The statute already requires vehicles traveling below the posted speed limit on any limited access highway with a posted speed limit of at least 65 mph to stay to the right. Exceptions are made for passing, for yielding to traffic entering the highway or for when it’s unsafe to use the right lane.

A Senate bill would take the unnecessary step to single out trucks and prohibit them from accessing the far left-hand lane. The rule would apply on highways with at least three lanes traveling in the same direction.

It will be important for Kentucky truck drivers to communicate with their state lawmakers about the problems this bill would create. The bill is extremely unpopular among truck drivers, and OOIDA encourages its members to reach out to their lawmakers before this pursuit picks up steam.

Michigan

Michigan is another state with legislation that flies in the face of sensibility when it comes to left-lane-use rules.

At present, state law prohibits all vehicles from hanging out in the left lane. Left lane use is permitted along highways with two lanes headed in one direction for instances that include overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction.

Additionally, commercial vehicles with a gross weight exceeding 10,000 pounds are prohibited from using the far left-hand lane on freeways with three or more lanes in the same direction.

One House bill would single out large trucks on limited-access highways, or expressways. Specifically, HB5304 would limit large trucks to the right two lanes when traveling on expressways with three or more lanes in the same direction.

Rep. Will Bruck, R-Erie, touted his proposed rule change as a method to alleviate congestion on busy roadways by ensuring that large trucks do not impede traffic in the left lane.

“By ensuring that trucks stay in the right lanes, we can keep traffic flowing smoothly in the left lanes, promoting safer and more efficient transportation for all drivers,” Bruck said in prepared remarks.

He left out any mention about the need to better educate and enforce existing lane use rules that apply to all travelers.

Applying left lane rules to all vehicles

Elsewhere, more practical left-lane-use revisions being pursued would apply to cars and trucks.

OOIDA and the National Motorists Association favor efforts to address left lane use. The groups point out that blocking the left lane, whether intentional or not, results in reduced road safety and efficiency.

Florida

In Florida, two sensible bills moving through the statehouse would amend left lane rules for all highway users.

Florida law prohibits traveling in the farthest left-hand lane “if the driver knows, or reasonably should know,” that he or she is being overtaken in that lane from a driver traveling at a higher rate of speed.

The rule applies to all travelers, even if they are driving the posted speed limit when the overtaking vehicle attempts to pass.

The state, however, is not without criticism. Large trucks are singled out in another law that prohibits traveling in the far-left or inside travel lane along rural stretches of interstate with at least three lanes in one direction.

Identical bills in each chamber would forbid any vehicle from continuous operation in the far-left lane of roadways with a posted speed of at least 65 mph.

The legislation, HB317/SB258, includes a provision clarifying that if the far-left lane is a high-occupancy vehicle lane, the lane immediately to the right of such lane or a left-turn lane would be considered the farthest left-hand lane.

“This bill is about a more safe and efficient flow of traffic on our high-speed highways. It simply provides that the left lane is for passing only with some commonsense exceptions,” Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, testified.

Iowa

An Iowa Senate bill follows closely with what is being pursued at the Florida statehouse.

Iowa statute already mandates slower traffic to stay to the right.

A proposed rule change would require a vehicle to be driven in the right-hand lane on a roadway with multiple lanes moving in the same direction. Limited exceptions would be included for overtaking another vehicle.

On roadways with three or more lanes for traffic moving in one direction, a driver would be required to drive in the center lanes, “such that the far-left lane can be used for overtaking and the far-right lane can be used to enter or exit the roadway.”

Maryland

One Maryland measure would broaden roadways affected by the state’s left lane rule.

Currently, a driver of a vehicle traveling slower than the general speed of traffic on an interstate highway located in a rural area is required to stay to the right. Elsewhere, Maryland law requires drivers to stay to the right if they are traveling at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit or slower than the flow of traffic.

HB298 would change the interstate-only rule to apply to every multi-lane roadway.

Another revision to the statute covers travel on roadways with at least three lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. The bill would restrict left lane use to the overtaking and passing of another vehicle on highways posted at a minimum of 55 mph.

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, a House bill opens the door to more questions about left-lane-use abuse.

HB3452 would put a time limit on travel in the left lane. The bill states that overtaking and passing another vehicle “shall be performed expeditiously.”

For large trucks, including a tractor-trailer, overtaking and passing another vehicle would need to be completed in two minutes. Smaller vehicles would be given one minute to complete the maneuver.

There is no mention in the bill how law enforcement would keep track of time to determine who is in violation. Perhaps a provision should be added to cover the purchase of stopwatches. LL