Like to drive in the left lane? DeSantis vetos Florida bill that would have fined drivers

Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·3 min read
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If you like to drive in the left lane all the time, you can now rest easy because you can stay there — much to the annoyance of many other drivers sharing the road.

Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed HB 317.

The bill, if passed, would have meant a fine for anyone using the far-left lane on roads with speed limits of 65 mph or more for anything besides passing other vehicles, with some exceptions.

Why did Gov. DeSantis veto the interstate safety bill?

In a letter dated June 21, DeSantis said he vetoed the bill because:

"The language of this bill is too broad and could lead to drivers in Florida being pulled over, ticketed and fined for driving in the furthest (sic) left lane, even if they are not impeding the flow of traffic or if there are few or no other cars in the immediate area.

"In addition, the bill could potentially increase congestion in Florida's urban areas as drivers may decide to not utilize the furthest left-hand lane at all for fear of being ticketed," DeSantis said.

Read HB 317 veto letter from DeSantis

Can't see the letter? Open in a new browser.

HB 317 covers motorists driving in left lane

Proposed bill HB 317 addresses motorists who consistently stay in the left lane.

The bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, called for a fine to be issued for anyone using the far-left lane on roads with speed limits of 65 mph or more for anything besides passing other vehicles, with some exceptions.

"All of us who travel back and forth to Tallahassee experience frustration on the major highways and frustration caused by drivers impeding the flow of traffic in the left lane," Persons-Mulicka said.

What to know about HB 317: New Florida bill makes left lanes passing-only or you'll pay.

“This creates a dangerous situation, when drivers unnecessarily camp out in the left lane. It leads to blocking traffic flow, less predictability, more encounters, more passing maneuvers and more opportunities for accidents.”

The bill would have prohibited motorists from driving in the farthest left-hand lane or a roadway with two or more lanes and a posted speed limit of at least 65 mph unless:

  • You are overtaking and passing another vehicle.

  • You're about to exit the road, street or highway.

  • You've been directed to by law enforcement or an official traffic control device.

How much would the fine have been for driving in the left lane?

The bill would have made driving in the left lane a non-criminal moving violation with a fine up to $158.

How did the Florida Legislature vote on HB 317 and the Senate version, SB 258?

The Senate voted Feb. 22 37-0 to pass the bill.

The House voted Feb. 8 113-3 to pass the bill.

Voting against the bill in the House were:

Is it legal to drive in the left lane in Florida?

As long as no one is driving faster than you are.

Florida Statute 316.081 requires drivers to move out of the left lane if a faster-moving vehicle is coming up behind them. Failure to do so is a noncriminal moving violation but it doesn't stop you from cruising there otherwise.

Contributing: C.A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network-Florida

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida Gov. DeSantis vetoes HB317, left-lane-driving bill