Most of us have had the unpleasant sensation of being stuck behind a large vehicle in the left lane of a highway. Slow-moving automobiles on the left, on the other hand, are more than simply inconvenient; they can also be dangerous. As a result, heavy trucks and other slow-moving vehicles are not permitted to drive in the far-left lane in some jurisdictions, or are restricted to utilizing the left lane exclusively for passing. And if an accident happens, several things will need to happen, like you hiring a truck accident attorney. You might have to go to the hospital and might end up losing so much money due to lost wages.
The Issue of Slower Vehicles in the Left Lane
On multi-lane highways, the far left lane is often dedicated primarily for passing vehicles. It’s fairly uncommon for drivers to grow irritated when trucks in the left lane slow them down. Truckers, on the other hand, sometimes prefer to travel in the left lane to avoid the disruption produced by avoiding vehicles merging from onramps into the right lane.
In general, too many drivers in the left lanes of highways can exacerbate major traffic difficulties. Surprising shifts in speed or lane changes cause more highway accidents than exceeding the speed limit. When a motorist encounters a slow-moving car in the left lane, he or she is more likely to weave in and out of traffic lanes, increasing the likelihood of a potentially serious accident.
State Laws Concerning Trucks
Because of the dangers of slow-moving cars in the left lane, some jurisdictions have implemented regulations restricting the types of vehicles that can travel in the left lane. Some restrictions apply to all slower-moving traffic, while others target trucks or categorize vehicles depending on their weight.
Some examples of legislation that restrict trucks and other slow-moving vehicles from using the left lanes include:
- California: According to the California automobile code, any vehicle traveling at a “less than normal” rate of speed on a highway must stay in the right lanes while not passing.
- Hawaii: A measure has been presented in the Hawaiian Legislature that would restrict cars weighing more than 10,000 pounds from utilizing the far left lane on roadways with three or more lanes of traffic.
- In Washington, commercial vehicles are not permitted to travel in the far left lane on roadways with three or more lanes.
- Indiana: According to state law, “slowpoke” drivers can be penalized up to $500 for driving in the left lane in such a way that another vehicle cannot pass.
Trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds, as well as campers and trailers, are restricted to the right lanes of highways in Oregon, with several exceptions.
- New Jersey: Trucks will be prohibited from utilizing the left lane on New Jersey roadways, and violators may face fines of up to $300.
Many other states are proposing laws that would restrict the types of automobiles that can lawfully travel in the left-hand highway lanes.