In what states is the left lane only for passing?
On a recent road trip, a cop pulled us over to let us know that we'd been in the left lane for a while and in that state, the left lane was solely for passing people. He noticed our out-of-state plates and figured we didn't know. He was right: in my home state, I generally sit in the left lane for ages when I'm going a long way, since I drive rather fast.
In what states are you not supposed to linger in the left lane? I don't want to get in trouble when road tripping in the future.
Best Answer
According to this link:
States which only allow passing in the left lane:
- Arkansas
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
States which require slower traffic to move right:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
States which require slower traffic to move right only if they are blocking traffic:
- Florida
- Georgia
- Nevada
- Utah
- Virginia
States which require drivers moving slower than the speed limit to move right:
- Alaska
- Maryland
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Puerto Rico
States with other rules
- Michigan allows only passing on the left lane unless there is heavy traffic or more than three lanes on the freeway
- Pennsylvania and Washington allow use of the left lane to pass, allow traffic to merge, or "when traveling at a speed greater than the traffic flow."
Pictures about "In what states is the left lane only for passing?"
Is the left lane for passing only in Florida?
Florida Highway Patrol is cracking down on left-lane drivers that aren't following the law. In the state of Florida, if the road you're driving on has 2 or more lanes heading in the same direction, you can only use the far left lane for passing.Is the left lane for passing only in New York?
Signs on the New York State Thruway tell motorists to stay in the right lane, except when passing. New York State law requires all drivers driving below the speed limit to remain in the right-lane, if safe. New Jersey and New Hampshire have laws in place that fine drivers for not using the left lane to pass.Is it illegal to drive in the left lane in the US?
In all 50 states, it is illegal to drive in the left-hand lane with certain exceptions. Generally, those exceptions are when a driver is passing or overtaking a vehicle or making a turn. Some states additionally require that a driver must go to the right-hand lane if they are moving slower than the flow of traffic.Is the left lane a passing lane in California?
Please use the right lane for driving and the left lane for passing.MYTH or TRUTH? Left Lane Is Always A Passing Lane Everywhere
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Charles Parker, Tim Douglas, Tim Samuel, Charles Parker