Newly proposed bill would crack down on Florida drivers cruising in the left lane

Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal
Updated ·2 min read

A new bill is seeking to prevent Florida drivers from cruising in the left lane.

The bill, SB 258, was filed by Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, and marks at least the third time a bill of the same ilk has been proposed in the Florida Legislature. A virtually identical bill, HB 317, was proposed in the House by Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers and is progressing through committees.

Two similar bills were filed for the 2023 session but didn’t clear the Senate or the House.

Here’s what to know about Florida’s new left-lane driving bill, SB 254.

What is Florida’s newly proposed left-lane driving bill?

SB 258 would make it illegal to use the left lane unless attempting to pass motorists, though it would only apply to drivers on highways with at least two lanes in the same direction and maximum speed limits of 65 mph or higher.

Road rage and aggressive drivers: Here's where this list ranks Florida among US states

What are the exceptions to SB 258?

Florida SB 258 lays out a few exceptions where the law wouldn’t apply:

  • Overtaking and passing another vehicle

  • Preparing to exit the road, street or highway

  • When directed by an official traffic control device

Why have other attempts failed?

A Senate analysis last year found that there was concern that the proposed law would confuse motorists regarding the “Move Over Act,” which requires drivers to move over a lane when possible for stopped law-enforcement and emergency vehicles, sanitation and utility vehicles and tow trucks.

Is it illegal to drive on the left side of the road?

Yes and no. In Florida, it is currently legal to cruise in the left lane so long as slower drivers move over if someone is attempting to overtake them.

What does Florida Highway Safety say about driving in the left lane?

Section 316.081(3) of Florida Statutes requires that motorists drive in the right lane to prevent impeding the flow of traffic, which can create dangerous driving situations.

It’s not prohibited to cruise in the left lane, but drivers are required to move from the far left lane when a faster-moving vehicle is attempting to overtake them. Drivers who fail to move over could receive a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Is it illegal to drive in the left lane in Florida? It soon could be