[Tacoma]

Article HERE.

Apparently a law already exists in Florida that states slower traffic should move right. This Bill goes further & explicitly state: "A driver may not continuously operate a motor vehicle in the furthermost left-hand lane, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle."

We have similar laws up here in Canada, some explicit like BC and Quebec and some less like in Ontario where it's reads something like: if you're going slower than normal flow, then move right, but only if it's safe to do so.

Not sure if the explicit language does anything, but I find generally, left lane laws are almost never enforced, which is unfortunate.

Not sure if similar laws exists in Europe but I recently drove in Italy and they drive fast but the lane discipline is excellent and unlike here in North America, they always keep right unless to pass. I don't recall one exception.

[dab1981]

I was stationed in Germany for a while, and they have very strict left lane laws. Other drivers would call the Polizei if someone was hanging out in the left lane. It was a big safety concern, especially in the parts of the autobahn without a speed limit.

I wish we would have more left lane enforcement in the US. It's a bigger issue in my opinion than just speeding.

[DocL]

I live in S. Florida and I can guarantee you that it won't be enforced because I haven't witnessed the current law being enforced. The left lane is the slowest one on all of the highways down here.

[unluky]

Don't hold your breath - we have it here where I live and it gets worse every year. ZERO enforcement during normal hours. It's used the most to pull over suspicious drivers late at night - they made a huge pot bust with it a year back. Guy driving in the left lane at 3am with zero traffic and had hundreds of pounds of pot in the car. LOL

Wish they would at least issue warnings - I think 85% of it that just have NO idea it is illegal. Most use it so they can slow down and get on their phones with no worries. At least 50% that I pass on the highway are on their phones.

Maddening.

[ASAP]

This is exactly how it is in FL and fundamentally it's a good idea... but like others said, there is no way this will be enforced... no automotive law appears to be enforced outside of just outright speeding here... like people on their phones, or the loud car stereos or tailgating etc...

I will say that I drove with this law in Europe once and ultimately it just ended up with everyone passing each other all the time lol... so i would pass and go right back, pass and right back... it makes sense just doesn't really work in reality because it creates musical chairs essentially.

[NickyC]

If you're not doing at least 90 in the left lane in Miami you better have ramps on your car.

The law won't be enforced either, it's the wild west down there. I see egregious traffic violations constantly, everybody knows there's little to no enforcement.

Part of the reason my car insurance rates go up around 125% when I'm there instead of St. Louis, insurance companies know it well.

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by Tacoma

Article HERE.

Apparently a law already exists in Florida that states slower traffic should move right. This Bill goes further & explicitly state: "A driver may not continuously operate a motor vehicle in the furthermost left-hand lane, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle."

We have similar laws up here in Canada, some explicit like BC and Quebec and some less like in Ontario where it's reads something like: if you're going slower than normal flow, then move right, but only if it's safe to do so.

Not sure if the explicit language does anything, but I find generally, left lane laws are almost never enforced, which is unfortunate.

Not sure if similar laws exists in Europe but I recently drove in Italy and they drive fast but the lane discipline is excellent and unlike here in North America, they always keep right unless to pass. I don't recall one exception.

First problem here in Toronto is that any clown that never had operated a vehicle in their life can get a drivers license.

Second problem is the speed limit of 100km/h, and drivers that feel that as long as they are doing the speed limit it is ok to be in the left lane.

Third problem is the damn HOV lanes. For some reason people don't think the left lane is still the left lane regardless of the HOV lane next to it. Im fuming every morning on the 427.

Root cause seems to be the lack of proper training and testing before getting a license.

[HondaRC51]

Originally Posted by unluky

Wish they would at least issue warnings - I think 85% of it that just have NO idea it is illegal. Most use it so they can slow down and get on their phones with no worries. At least 50% that I pass on the highway are on their phones.

As a daily motorcycle rider, this pisses me off more than anything else people do on the road right up there with driving under the influence

[erickonphoenix]

Texas has been getting better about left lane hogs the last couple of decades. My last drive up to Lufkin on 59N, I was shocked how compliant everyone was with the left lane passing only law.

IMO, the law really helps law enforcement get serious speeders off the road more easily when they have a lane opened up.

[ppointer]

I agree that it is quite refreshing to drive in Italy, whether on their autostradas or in the cities. Down here in South FL it is insanity. Sold my last motorcycle because I knew I would be dead meat in no time. Driving is a contact sport down here. Really no point in this new law, considering none of the current traffic laws are enforced. If you want to make time on the FL Turnpike, probably better off in the right lane.

[AnOldBiker]

Tennessee has that law and I have seen cars pulled over when there is a long line of cars following a slow one in the faster lane. Not often as it should be done, but seen done many times since the law has been enacted.

[TyroneShoelaces]

I live in FL and laws matter not. Do we even have any 2 lane roads where there can be some determination of what is the left lane? Maybe some of I-75 and I-10 north of orlando? On a 3 lane like much of I-95, the middle lane is the slow lane. Old people and trucks that don't want to deal with moving over to let traffic merging on to enter. So the center lane is somewhere between 5 under and 10 over with the other two lanes dicing in and out to deal with the outliers not keeping up with a traffic pace.

We were just in VT and I was reminded that not all places in the world are traffic like FL. So refreshing and I'm ready to gtfo of here. I love surfing and boating, but I'm ready for mountain life I think.

[unluky]

Originally Posted by ppointer

I agree that it is quite refreshing to drive in Italy, whether on their autostradas or in the cities. Down here in South FL it is insanity. Sold my last motorcycle because I knew I would be dead meat in no time. Driving is a contact sport down here. Really no point in this new law, considering none of the current traffic laws are enforced. If you want to make time on the FL Turnpike, probably better off in the right lane.

LOL - the one and only time I drove in Italy for a few days I thought I was going to DIE! Maybe just the area I was in, but I feel like I could hear a horn 80% of the time and saw multiple people use sidewalks to cut corners and traffic! Maybe just the area and time I was there - Germany is usually not like that at all and the highway driving in Germany is like heaven. Good to know - I need to give Italy another shot then.

[DubaiRich]

I guess it will depend on the city. I'm heading to Naples, so that opinion will be proven! On the Florida side, the left lane huggers are rampant! They won't move even if you flash them.

[chris_1001]

No one pays attention to the left lane law in MA. And for some reason, CT drivers come here and think its the slow lane.

And why yes officer, I was trying to pass everyone!

[Tuxedo]

move over the science says its much safer. faster watch on why. pass it on

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

america is such an entitled country and is continuing to go ass backwards...since we coddle the behavior....honking is considered rude when people are blatantly disregarding traffic laws because we police feelings and thoughts not laws..

people will give me the finder when i flash my lights to get out the left lane when the right car is going faster than them.

people drive with their high beams on all day... because they cant see, fuck everyone else who you are blinding.

[omasou]

Originally Posted by Tacoma

Article HERE.

Apparently a law already exists in Florida that states slower traffic should move right. This Bill goes further & explicitly state: "A driver may not continuously operate a motor vehicle in the furthermost left-hand lane, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle."

We have similar laws up here in Canada, some explicit like BC and Quebec and some less like in Ontario where it's reads something like: if you're going slower than normal flow, then move right, but only if it's safe to do so.

Not sure if the explicit language does anything, but I find generally, left lane laws are almost never enforced, which is unfortunate.

Not sure if similar laws exists in Europe but I recently drove in Italy and they drive fast but the lane discipline is excellent and unlike here in North America, they always keep right unless to pass. I don't recall one exception.

They need this law in NJ!

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by dab1981

I was stationed in Germany for a while, and they have very strict left lane laws. Other drivers would call the Polizei if someone was hanging out in the left lane. It was a big safety concern, especially in the parts of the autobahn without a speed limit.

I wish we would have more left lane enforcement in the US. It's a bigger issue in my opinion than just speeding.

I remember that even if you weren't passing fast enough, you would get honking, flashing etc to get the hell out of the way. They are very anal about being in the left lane. But most of their autobahns have three lanes. One for on/off ramping/slow lane for trucks etc, cruising lane where you should be normally and then the passing lane.

It's not illegal to be in the left lane in VA and people will just park, will not move and pretty sure many do it just to piss other drivers off.

[DocL]

For the 40 years I've been driving this has always been a source of frustration. There was an article written about it in Card & Driver back in the 80s. I wrote a letter to the editor about the article and it was published in the next magazine. I have no idea where my copy went.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by nerdogray

When did it become a thing to drive with your lights off at night? I saw that a lot when I was in Ft. Lauderdale last year.

I see it every night where I live, at least once per outing. I'm in ATL a few miles north of the city. I don't recall seeing it once when I lived in Florida, I was there for 13 years (west coast, Tampa Bay).

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by DocL

For the 40 years I've been driving this has always been a source of frustration. There was an article written about it in Card & Driver back in the 80s. I wrote a letter to the editor about the article and it was published in the next magazine. I have no idea where my copy went.

What month/year was it published? I have most all C&D from early 70s on up.