[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by Altavia

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A bill that seeks to prevent motorists from cruising in left lanes of highways is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The Senate on Thursday voted 37-0 to pass the bill (HB 317), which would apply to drivers on highways with at least two lanes in the same direction and speed limits of 65 mph or higher.

The House voted 113-3 last week to pass the bill. Senate sponsor Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, said the measure is intended to improve highway safety.

"If someone in the left lane is going slower, and you pass them (on the right), you are creating an infraction and you can get ticketed," Perry said.

Under HB 317, drivers on a road, street or highway "with two or more lanes" where the speed limit is "at least 65 miles per hour... may not operate a motor vehicle in the furthermost left-hand lane, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle; when preparing to exit... or when otherwise directed by an official traffic control device."

The purpose of the bill is to make it clear when motorists can use the left lane.

The bill's sponsor said he wanted to prevent drivers from using the right lane to pass slower-moving traffic using the left lane.

The bill sets non-criminal moving violation fines of up to $158.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday he will talk with law enforcement officials before deciding whether to sign the bill, according to News Service of Florida.

During an appearance Friday in Pensacola, DeSantis said he wants to hear the practical implications to law officers of enforcing the measure, which would apply to drivers on highways with at least two lanes in the same direction and speed limits of 65 mph or higher. “Are we going to be pulling people over for that? How would that work?” DeSantis said.

He added, "So, I'm going to actually talk to people that do this for a living, whether they think it would be a benefit, both in terms of safety but also we want convenience. We want people to be able to get where they can go as quickly and as safely as possible. But then also enforcement, is that going to radically change how they (officers) do their job, in terms of enforcement?"

I hope like crazy this becomes a law. They should have signs everywhere. Left lane is for passing. It would absolutely benefit. The reason for traffic on highways is always the left lane driver, of course barring any accidents or road blockages. I think 50% of the people don’t even know about the left lane.