Driving slow in left lane? You may run into $121 fine

Cruising in the left lane could cost you.

Across South Florida, overhead highway signs are warning slower drivers to say in the right lanes or face a minimum fine of $121.

The warnings are meant to improve safety. Driving slow in the left lane can impede the flow of traffic and trigger agthey gressive driving or road rage, according to state lawmakers.

Despite the signs, which are being displayed statewide, the Florida Highway Patrol isn’t planning a crackdown.

Both police and traffic attorneys say enforcing the law against slow driving is difficult.

“It’s infrequent because the cops just don’t see it unless they are the ones stuck behind the [slow driver] or see the situation happening,” said attorney Ted Hollander, with The Ticket Clinic. “It’s easier to catch people speeding, with a radar gun.”

Still, he said, adding the fine amount on the highway signs gives the message teeth.

“I think ‘Slower Traffic Keep Right’ sounds like a friendly reminder,” Hollander said. “Whereas, if you say, ‘We’re going to fine you $121,’ it lets people know it’s a violation of some type of Florida law and better move over.”

Florida legislators revised the law in 2014 to make the left lane for passing, not cruising, unless there was congestion or an obstruction in the right lanes. It is legal for drivers to flash their high-beam headlights at a slower driver to move them out of the left lane so they can be passed. Aggressively flashing high-beams while tailgating a slower driver can lead to a ticket.