HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — We’ve all been frustrated by drivers that won’t get out of the left-hand lane so cars can pass them, now law enforcement is cracking down.
Deputy Mike Welshans says most people he pulls over have no idea about the law.
"My father was a truck driver and I remember him yelling back in the day that cars needed to move out of the left lane, it was for passing only, and apparently he was right," said Welshans.
Florida law says if you have two or more lanes going in the same direction, the left lane is for passing or making an immediate left turn.
"It's been an increasing problem lately with the number of aggressive drivers that we have," said Welshans.
Florida Highway Patrol, who already enforces the law, says it causes road rage and blocks the flow of traffic.
"Just like many of the other motorist I stop, she had no idea that that was a law. And she planned to turn left on County Line Road which is seven miles away from here," said Welshans after stopping a left-hand lane driver.
Breaking the law in Hernando County comes with a $164 ticket and three points on their license.
Welshans says he usually just gives warnings and tries to educate people, but the sheriff's office says they're pulling over more people who won't move out of the left-hand lane.
Below is the Florida statute that covers this law:
316.081 Driving on right side of roadway; exceptions.—
(3) On a road, street, or highway having two or more lanes allowing movement in the same direction, a driver may not continue to operate a motor vehicle in the furthermost left-hand lane if the driver knows or reasonably should know that he or she is being overtaken in that lane from the rear by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed. This subsection does not apply to drivers operating a vehicle that is overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or is preparing for a left turn at an intersection.
