Senate Wants Slow-Moving Motorists Out of the Left-Hand Lane

Senators want slow-moving drivers to get out of the left-hand lane, but the House may be blocking the flow of the bill.

Faster-moving motorists will have the right of way in the left-hand lanes of Floridas roads under a bill, SB 244, backed by the Senate Tuesday.

Senators say the bill will prevent road rage and reduce high-speed accidents by requiring motorist to yield the left lane when being overtaken on a multilane highway.

Drivers deemed traveling too slow in the left-hand lane when another vehicle is trying to pass would face a $100 ticket. A second conviction would cost $250.

The bill has yet to have a hearing by a House committee.

Florida law already requires slower drivers in the left lane of multilane roadways to move to the right. However, they are not required to do so, as most multilane roads allow overtaking and passing on the right.

The bill was tried before, actually being approved by the full Legislature in 2005.But Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed it, arguing that it punished people who followed the speed limit.

The proposed bill would exempt those driving the speed limit.