Driving in the left lane without passing has consistently been an issue of contention among drivers. Generally speaking, drivers across states follow the rule that driving in the right lane is reserved for regular cruising, while the left lane is exclusively for passing slower drivers in the right lane. However, some drivers choose to stay in the left lane and cruise altogether, which is not only illegal in some states but also can cause frustration among drivers trying to pass. This one state is sending its clarity to its drivers once and for all on the matter.
Slower driving causes frustration on the roads
When it comes to driving confidence and speed limits, all drivers drive at varying speeds and abilities based on experience, preference, and sometimes the type of car. Some drivers are more aggressive, while others are more defensive and cautious. While following the laws of the road is the most important thing to do regardless of what type of driver you are, there still exist discrepancies in speeds, even if both drivers are driving at a legal speed.
Because of this, allowing drivers to pass a slower driver is important not just to prevent road rage, but also to prevent a bottleneck from occurring due to one driver, or for a faster driver to make a reckless decision to pass the slower driver, which could endanger the lives of other road users. However, passing slower drivers becomes a problem when drivers begin to abuse the system.
Florida clarifies laws on driving in the left lane
One major problem with the left lane driving abuse is that there is no blanket consensus across states on how drivers should go about driving in the left lane. While some states have ‘keep right, pass left’ policies and laws in place, others do not, meaning that drivers coming in from out of state may not be aware of the different driving policies for left lane cruising.
Florida law states that drivers need to be aware of the statute
In Florida, lawmakers are setting the record straight on what the policy of left lane driving is. According to Florida Statutes, Chapter 316, Section 081, drivers may not cruise in the left lane if they are aware that a vehicle is attempting to overtake another vehicle in the right lane. Drivers cannot stay in the leftmost lane if they “know or reasonably should know,” as described in the Florida Statutes, Chapter 316, Section 081.
In 2024, lawmakers in Florida considered passing a bill which would make the left lane a passing lane only; however not approved. As such, while it is legal to cruise in the left lane in Florida, you have to be aware of other drivers who may want to pass vehicles in the right lane, meaning that you must also move out of the way for these drivers trying to overtake. This is to ensure that all drivers are equally catered to, and the dangers of slower driving are avoided.
Other states crack down on speeding drivers
Among the left lane debates on overtaking and cruising in order to pass slower drivers, speeding continues to be a significantly bigger concern than slower drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately one-third of road traffic-related injuries and fatalities are due to speeding drivers.
To combat this, states across the US have come down hard on new policies and regulations to deter speeding drivers. New York State, and New York City in particular, has been noted for its growing strict driving implementations. New York City recently announced that it would be reducing the average speed limit across the city by the end of 2025, as well as coming for reckless e-bike drivers, with the State now introducing direct speeding laws for these drivers.
