TIL: Its Actually Illegal In Florida To Drive In The Left Lane. You HAVE To Pass Cars Or Move Over!

Proposal To Reduce Auto Emissions In California LOS ANGELES - JUNE 14: Evening traffic fills the 101 freeway near Hollywood, on June 14, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. New California auto emissions regulations proposed today would require auto makers to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 30% in the next decade. If adopted, the regulations would be the nation's first limits on auto emissions of gases tied to global warming. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) (David McNew/Getty Images)

By Ethan

While most good drivers already think this is an unwritten rule of the road, here in Florida some hero actually got it passed into law! If you’re in the left lane of a Florida street, freeway, highway, interstate, whatever, you need to be actively passing people or GET OUT OF THE LEFT LANE!

I’ll be the first to admit that even though I know I’m a better driver than most people on the roads, I’ve failed at this myself. I often had the attitude that as long as I was going faster than the speed limit, and for the most part passing other drivers, I could just cruise in the left lane. But the law states that if you’re just cruising the left lane, but not trying to pass people, you’re doing it wrong. And if another car comes up behind you going faster than you, you HAVE to move over and let them have that lane to pass you!

Here’s what the law states from the FL-HSMV site:

“On multi-lane streets, roads and highways, section 316.081(3), Florida Statutes, requires that drivers drive in the right-hand lanes to prevent impeding the flow of traffic resulting in dangerous driving situations.

DRIVE IN THE RIGHT LANEAND PASS ON THE LEFT.

Drivers must not continue to drive a vehicle in the far left lane when being overtaken by a faster moving vehicle, unless the driver is preparing for a left-hand turn at an intersection.

Drivers failing to move from the far left lane will receive a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation.

Safety Reminders

  • When preparing to move into the right lane, you must indicate your intention to change lanes by using your vehicle’s right turn signal.
  • While in the far right lane, watch for vehicles entering the highway. Adjust your speed or move over so that they may safely enter the highway.”

See that? The actual law says “Drivers must not continue to drive a vehicle in the far left lane when being overtaken by a faster moving vehicle” So, yeah, if you’re not passing someone else, move it on over.

My other favorite line I emphasized above, but I’ll say it again so those in the back can hear:

“you must indicate your intention to change lanes by using your vehicle’s right turn signal.”

Well I clearly learned something new and important, and I hope EVERY SINGLE OTHER FLORIDA DRIVER LEARNED THIS TOO!!!! Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.