Last week, the Florida Senate sent a message to drivers lingering in the left lanes of highways: Move over! If a new law is passed, drivers in FL won’t be allowed to block left-hand lanes on highways with a at least two lanes in the same direction and speed limits of 65 mph or higher. The proposal aims to restrict drivers who use the right lanes to pass drivers who move slow on the right.
Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, the sponsor of the bill, said it’s the safety issue, stating that passing on the right side is illegal. Perry said 17,404 accidents in the past five years are related to passing on the right side. The bill is positioned as a means to maintain smooth traffic flow and increase road safety.
Under the proposed legislation, fines of up to $158 could be issued to drivers using left lanes without attempting to pass other vehicles. Prior to becoming law, the bill must be passed by other law-making committees.
