Don’t drive slow in the left lane, holding up traffic that wants to get by to travel at normal speed. That’s something we all should avoid. And yet, sadly, we know that some motorists, RVers among them, will drive for miles in the fast lane even when other motorists are backed up behind them and there are opportunities to move back to the right lane.
For motorists waiting to get by the lane hogs, it’s frustrating, even maddening. Those slowpoke drivers who are taking their time, blocking traffic for no good reason, are just plain rude. Perhaps, now, there’s some justice on the way via Louisiana. Maybe you agree, maybe you don’t.
In a nutshell, the new Louisiana law targets slow drivers with higher fines, and even jail time for repeat offenders. The goal: keep traffic flowing and thus reduce blocked drivers’ frustration and even anger. The information for this video came from our friend and attorney Steve Lehto, who explained the new law on his popular YouTube channel.
The penalties
Drivers who linger in the passing lane now face stricter consequences. Jail time only kicks in after three violations, making it a last-resort penalty for chronic offenders. The penalties:
• First offense: $150 fine
• Second offense: $250 fine
• Third offense: $350 fine or up to 30 days in jail
Louisiana isn’t alone with its strict new law. Florida’s new “super speeder” law and similar crackdowns show that more states are getting aggressive about unsafe lane use. Lawmakers say the frustration is universal. One Louisiana senator behind the bill admitted personal experience pushed him to act: “This is something we all deal with every week.”
Examples of state laws:
• New York: “Slowpoke Law” — $150 fine + 3 license points
• Montana: Fines up to $142
• Vermont: Minimum $47 fine and safety reminders
Some, like Michigan, issue “blockading traffic” tickets instead—smaller fines without license points.
Is jail time for slow left-lane drivers too harsh—or overdue? Louisiana drivers will find out soon. In his video, Lehto wonders if the extreme penalty of jail time will ever be enforced. What do you think? Is this new law a good idea? Will it help? Please leave a comment.
Virginia has also passed a similar law. I don’t know what the fines are, but it hasn’t changed how people drive. There are even overhead signs on the interstates reminding drivers that the left lane is for passing, not cruising. When you drive up behind the left lane cruisers, they sometimes will get over long enough for you to pass and then get right back in the left lane.
Which is funny, considering the stories I’ve heard about how Virginia cops are really picky about people driving OVER the speed limit…
Rich, Virginia cops love radar!
I’ve observed on many multi-lane highways that the right lane is often in much poorer condition than the left lane, I assume due to heavy truck use. I wonder if that could be one reason you see drivers move back over to the left lane. I’ve tried it myself in the motorhome, but it becomes too much trouble always looking in your mirrors for traffic coming up behind you. And now in some areas I guess it would be illegal, even if there’s no other traffic around you.
I use the left lane in Ca. and Az. I keep an eye out for drivers and don’t hold them up. A forty one foot motorhome isn’t cheap and the roads are so bad in some areas that we have to move to the left lane. I sure hope they don’t ticket us but we just can’t take the beating.
I think we’re talking about people who disrupt traffic flow. The police aren’t going to pull you over if you’re doing no harm and nobody is around you. Good for you. I’m always watching my mirrors to get out of the way. Let the other guys speed past me and get the ticket. Laugh out loud
I would say that depends. What it depends on is the officer on duty. They have a lot of discretion, and can cite you – or not – depending on that discretion. Since you don’t know the cop who’s on duty, you might want to exercise YOUR discretion! 😊
Rough right lane is the ONLY reason you’ll find my 5th wheel in the left lane for more than a minute. There are some seriously bad interstate sections that will jar your teeth loose in the tow vehicle and make a serious mess in the camper. I will slow down 10 or 15 mph in the right lane to minimize the mayhem but sometimes that is not enough and going too slow in the right lane just exacerbates the problem with blocking free flow of traffic.
California desperately needs a law like this
Yes, especially along the entire length of the I-5.
I might be guilty there. We hate I-5. The right lane is horrible. Feels like the motorhome is coming apart. Rarely experience that anywhere else and we’ve traveled 250K. However, I only get over to the fast lane if there is no one in the far distance. I keep my eye on the any traffic coming from behind and move over far ahead of when they reach me. I try to limit it, but sometimes just can’t take it. My husband rarely does it as well. We live in CA.
I actually agree with you, the right lane is pretty rough in a lot of areas and I have been known to do the same, but will not impede any oncoming traffic. We’re in the south end of the state.
I agree with you and Diane Mc. In fact, if the left lane is significantly smoother, I am happy to spend hours in the fast lane and move over if needed.
Guilty here too but not just on I-5.
Portions of the right lane on many interstates can break dishes and rattle the screws out of the walls. I’ll use the left lane to avoid destroying my rig but not at the impediment of traffic. It’s sad that roadways once our nation’s pride are in such dire disrepair but there’s always money for politics.
Among better roads and a host of other improvements.
CALIFORNIA needs to enforce it’s 55mph law for any vehicles towing anything. When I go 55 with my Class A and toad I get blown at, by truckers and regular drivers who don’t understand their laws dictate me to cause their huge inconvenience of not going as fast as they want to. Change your laws CA and I will go that speed limit.
Camping in the left lane should draw a citation. It is a hazard. BUT, some states also have a law that you cannot pass on the right. So you may be cited if you pass slower vehicles in the left lane.
And, what about the OTR trucks that start to pass another truck on a hill and cannot maintain the higher speed. It happens all the time. Now you have trucks running side by side for miles.
BTW, the picture shown is wrong. The center lane is not the left lane. As long as I can maintain the speed limit, I will drive in that lane. It’s also safer if there may be an on ramp coming up.
Bob, I’ve always understood the “no pass on the right” to mean one cannot use the shoulder to pass vs just staying in the right lane maintaining no more than the speed limit. There is no way anyone is ever going to be ticketed or pulled over for utilizing the right lane and going faster, but within the speed limit, and passing someone driving in the left lane.
That’s when driving below the speed in the left lane and staying there should be enforced.
Most states have that law. Passing on the right does depend on the situation though.
I agree and you probably will not be pulled over unless you are exceeding the speed limit or weaving in and out of traffic.
It’s also allowed if there is a left exit and traffic is slowing down to take the exit.
Camp out at the lake, not in the left lane!
Exactly what is “normal speed”? Each state has its own “maximum speed limits”… are those considered “normal speed”? Show me ANY interstate highway (for that matter just any highway) and the slowest vehicle will probably be doing the maximum speed allowed and yet the majority of travelers will totally disregard those maximum speed limits. Are there provisions to exceed the maximum speed limits? Traffic flow? Emergency? Passing other slower vehicles (that are probably traveling at the maximum speed limit)?
Also keep in mind that the maximum speed limit is what it says it is….maximum. You don’t have to travel at that speed limit if you don’t want to.
Excellent point! Just stay out of the left lane……
Ron; Maximum also means just that – even when passing you are not allowed to speedup over that maximum. This applies in ND, MN and Manitoba CA as well! Mn also has a minimum speed on their interstates – 40 mph. ND does not as long as you aren’t posing a series hazard.
I totally agree. That’s why I asked the question. Unfortunately the vast majority of travelers totally ignore the posted maximum speed limit. Why?
Going 10 mi over the speed limit seems to be a universal standard. Even in Ohio now. I think of it as being tort law. It’s a law that started out with tradition. That of course changes if the officer had an argument with his wife that morning.
Not always true. Idaho has a law that allows up to 15 mph over when passing on certain roads, so that’s not true everywhere.
Hi Kevin: ND went to 80 mph on 1 Aug – they allow 3 mph over, according some Trooper radio interviews. We’ll see how long that lasts – before it goes to 85 – 90! They also increased the speeding fine – I forget how much – as it certainly doesn’t apply to me….
I’ve noticed the 40 mph size have been coming down here in Georgia.
You drive your car, I’ll drive mine. Smh.
Gary, I’m not advocating going faster or slower than the posted speed limit…just asking why the majority of drivers will ignore those speed limits.
I call em Left Lane Lollygaggers….The signs have been around for years….”Slow traffic Keep right.” To me it doesn’t matter what the speed limit is. If you are in the left lane and you’re not passing another car, get out of the lane. Here’s another one that might get some upset. If you’re in the left lane, don’t let the big trucks in. Yes, it would seem like the courteous thing to do, but a big truck can slow the left lane down 10-20 mph and sometimes cause a log jam of cars slamming on brakes, possibly causing an accident several cars back. I’m sure some of us have been in the left lane and out of the blue the car in front’s tail lights come in and they’re hard braking way ahead.
Hard braking usually indicates unsafe tailgating…another serious issue on today’s roads. Many times on our recent trip through PA, when driving our toad, I was doing 80 mph in 65 limit zones on I-76 (and in the “slow lane 🤣”) to keep from being mauled by other drivers and had tailgaters so close behind me that I could not even see their grill in my rearview mirror! Yep, I’m sure if I had to tap my brakes a lot of hard braking would have ensued behind me!
Now, I agree on not riding the passing lane, but too many drivers today also think they should be able to violate every law and safe driving technique that exists because they are all that matters, in their own little world.
Thank you for the news RV Travel! Seems a good idea. I have run across people who truly are oblivious of the impediment their behavior creates. Hopefully creating laws expressly forbidding “camping” in the left lane will enter their consciousness sufficiently to enable them to vacate the left lane after passing. Have a great day and safe travels!
Oklahoma has a similar law on highways. Not sure what the fines are.
Absolutely a good idea.
The main issue I see, and I’ve seen it very often, is that “slowpoke drivers” almost inevitably lead to Road Rage and/or dangerous driving: rapid lane changes, speeding, cutting off, etc. Never a good thing, but I see that as the real danger.
I’ve been very happy to see states finally admit the problem exists and are acting on it. I wish states in my neighborhood, the Northeast, would adopt signage I’ve seen in Montana that reads “BLOCKING TRAFFIC IN THE LEFT LANE IS AGINST THE LAW!” (or something close to that) instead of “KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS.” That just ain’t cuttin’ it anymore.
Yep, it’s always someone else’s fault that drivers decide to speed and do aggressive maneuvers and have road rage. 🙄
I do agree that in today’s society people seem to have far less tolerance of situations they don’t like or are less than convenient to them and react with far more anger and rage…but that is THEIR condition. They are the ones that need to better roll with the punches and react in a way that does not endanger themselves and others.
Now…I admit I sometimes react poorly too, but it’s MY problem and would be MY fault if something bad happens.
I speed all the time. The other 2 things you mentioned, not so much.
Why do you speed all the time? Just asking.
Why not? I’m usually only 5-8 mph over and never in a school zone. I like dealing with what’s in front of me and not constantly worried about what’s coming up on me from behind. I’m always checking my mirrors and monitoring what’s in front of me. It keeps me engaged in driving and aware of my surroundings.
although I do not drive in the left lane unless passing, it is my understanding that the law is still whatever the posted speed limit is and the right lane is for those that are driving under it. common courtesy is to use the left lane for passing, but if your traveling over the posts speed limit in the left lane aren’t you too also breaking the law? If someone is in the left lane backing up traffic, but still traveling at the speed limit aren’t they actually doing everything right as the law is written? Maybe the left lane needs to have a minimum speed limit posted instead?
No, they are impeding the flow of traffic in the left lane. Get out of the way.
Travis, I believe everything you stated is technically correct. Legally no one, except emergency vehicles, is supposed to be exceeding the limit, except as someone else stated, some states may allow short term speeding to effect a safe pass of another vehicle.
Still it’s good practice not to ride the left lane even if you are at the max of the speed limit. The right lane is for “slower traffic” which means only ten mph over the limit! 😉😁 Those driving their own imaginary speed limit need to get around that slow traffic. Construction zone limits are also just suggestions from what I see traveling. 🙄
Its fine except when there is a exit on the left and speeding traffic in left lane wont let you merge to get in lane to turn . Was on a bypass loop had to go around twice before i could get in left lane. Was stop by police saying i was causing a congestion behind me evan though i was doing speed limit. They under stood and let me go.
All states need this law. Now if we can just figure out how to deal with the people that don’t know how to merge and the so called professional truck drivers that cut you off when changing lanes.
I agree that drivers shouldn’t “camp out” in the far left lane, but there are bigger problems with excessive speeds and dangerous manuevers common on today’s roads. Used to be that drivers pushed the LIMIT by 5 mph. On our recent trip in PA, if we weren’t doing 20 or 25 mph over the limit we were in the minority!
We saw many State Patrol and County Sheriff vehicles driving right along at that speed & doing nothing about it. I can understand that as when 80% of traffic is exceeding the limits by substantial amounts, it would be dangerous to try to pull someone over. We saw drivers pass cops at these speeds.
Enforce ALL the traffic laws equally!
It’s about time states have realized that some of the most dangerous situations all drivers face on the highways across the country today are slow-poke drivers in the left lane.
They can back up traffic for miles, especially when there is heavy truck traffic, making it sometimes just about impossible to get around them. But, Louisiana’s law seems a bit harsh with the possibility of jail time. Hefty fines across all states should do the trick. No points or any other penalties. Hit them in the pocket where it hurts most.
Unfortunately it is rarely enforced.
If the states want to make far more money collecting fines, start by actually enforcing speed limits. Not only do the fines hit the pocket book, but there’s increased insurance rates as well as an incentive to slow down a little, save gas (that everyone says is too expensive anyway), and possibly save lives.
Nevada has the law, but they don’t enforce it. There isn’t even signs asking drivers to keep right except to pass. Ridiculous!
They passed this law in Colorado a few years ago. Left lane on the interstate is only for passing. However, I’ve never seen it enforced and constantly see left lane campers. I wish they would enforce it because I believe it contributes to the slowdowns on I-25 & I-70.
Driving on the left side with my RV.
Sometimes, the right lane of an Interstate is so bad, potholes, broken concrete or pavement, lots of tire parts on the side. So I am using the left lane for safety reasons to avoid axle damage or tire blow outs.
As soon as the right lane is better again, I move over. This is out west with very little traffic. Traffic is passing me on the right lane and immediately moving to the left just I do.
If I get a ticket doing that, I will sue the DOT for not repairing dangerous unsafe roads.
Greetings, Harold
You will lose. I have no problem with RVers using the smoother left lane as long as they get over when someone comes up behind them.
Due to the right side blind spot of my car and especially in my motor home I rarely use the left lane except for passing or when the surface is so rough that it is a safety hazard. Mirrors and rear cams are fine but there is still that element of “surprise!”.
I also think a lot of left lane campers are elderly people who aren’t into the …”get there itus” mode as most people seem to be these days. When driving in the right lane, another major concern is the exit lane jumpers who pass on the left and dive for the exit! What’s the point? They have, or are supposed to, stop at the end anyway! Or the slow driver in the left lane who decides to exit across two or three lanes!
“…exit lane jumpers who pass on the left and dive for the exit! What’s the point?”
👍👍 Never saw as much of that dangerous manuever as on our just finished trip to PA. The further east we got, the worse it got. And people wonder why insurance rates in certain areas are so high.
I find myself frequently trying to make my husband, the driver to stay out of the left lane unless he is actively passing a slower vehicle. Recently he didn’t listen and a big diesel pusher thought he could go around us on the right and then get back in the left lane to pass the vehicle ahead of us. We were running the speed limit but not overtaking the vehicle in the left lane very quickly. The MH made it but the cargo trailer he was towing didn’t. Fortunately it only hit the passenger side mirror and only damaged it, not the MH. I doubt he even knew he hit us or cared. He was gone in a flash. It could have been so much worse! But we had to finish the trip without a right side mirror!
This is one reason I have a dash cam. Before having that, I was sidewiped in Utah. Got license plate # and called UHP, they tracked the guy down, brought him to a location they told us to meet them out, determined that he was at fault, and I collected over $5K from his insurance. I was luck to be able to get the plate; with the dash cam my odds will be much better, and the evidence will be recorded. BTW we found the UHP to be great…obviously😉
When I was just learning to drive, I would drive my grandfather out to the farm and he told me that the left lane was for through traffic and the right lane was to merge.
In urban highway environments, years ago, that was the concept.
Here is an excellent contemporary resource:
https://streetsurvival.info/positioning-lane/
Thank you for the link to the very comprehensive (understatement!) driving guide, Mikal! Have a good night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Mikal, I would agree with that in a city. Unless otherwise posted, there is no “passing lane” typically in multi-lane urban environments. But I still just drive in the 2d or 3d lane from the left, in the 37′ motorhome.
I see this another traffic disruption all the time caused by older people. When I finally see the driver I’m thinking they need an eye test. If you can’t keep it between the lines and see well enough to consider the people behind you, then maybe it’s time to stop driving and get your health checked. We old people have to abide by social rules too.
The trouble isn’t slow people in the left lane. It’s people speeding and cops not enforcing the speed limit. The other problem is people pulling onto the highway and not yielding to oncoming traffic. I drive 59 in a 55 zone and 65 in a 65 zone and people fly past me. Those pulling onto the highway are going slow and want you to let them in instead of giving the gas to get in front of you. The other day I had a guy from the left lane pull in front of me pulling my 9000# TT and hit the brakes to slow down. If I know an on ramp has a lot of traffic pulling on, especially trucks, I pull into the left lane until I pass the exit and slow vehicles.
michigan law is ‘impeding traffic’
I get the idea. But a couple issues. 1. L Lane is usually much better condition than R Lane. 2. In many states, it’s not really “slowpokes” in the L Lane (people going the speed limit or slower). Most of the time, if someone is just staying in that lane, they are going the speed limit or even 10mph faster. So this emphasis on not “just driving” in the L Lane becomes more of a “keep the L Lane clear so the ‘entitled folks’ who think they should be able to drive 90mph or more, are free to do so”. So, I don’t see it as our responsibility to enable the super speeders.