Lawmakers move forward with new bill to deter left lane drivers

ORLANDO, Fla. — A new bill could soon put a stop to left lane vigilantes across Florida by instituting a pass-only or pay up law.

It passed its last senate committee stop Thursday and is now ready to be heard by the full chamber of both the House and the Senate.

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If approved, drivers on highways with at least two lanes in the same direction and speed limits of 65 and over would all have to use the right-hand lanes, therefore freeing up the left-hand lanes for people passing slower traffic.

If caught cruising in the left lane, violators could face a $158 fine.

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Exceptions include if the driver is about to exit the road, street or highway, or if a law enforcement office directs them to do so.

Right now, it’s not illegal to drive in the left lane – but people are expected to move over if a faster vehicle is coming up from behind.

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Senate bill sponsor Keith Perry said, last year alone, there were more than 4,000 violations related to people having to pass using the right lane.

Perry believes this new bill could help save lives. “In 2021, we had 247 incidents involving death or incapacitation from improper passing,” said Perry.

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Other states have passed similar laws in the past, including Illinois, Kansas and Louisiana. If passed, the new law would take effect January 2025.

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