House OKs bill to ban driving in the left lane
House lawmakers have voted to let law enforcement ticket drivers who stay in the left lane.
The proposed bill bans driving in the left lane unless it’s done to overtake and pass another vehicle.
Drivers would also be able to use the lane when traffic conditions or road configuration require them to use that lane to maintain safety.
Randy Rogers, the legislative liaison for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, said House Bill 2312 was written to stop drivers from impeding the safe flow of traffic and reduce accident rates.
Rogers also said it is important for emergency vehicles.
“We do travel in the left lane, and it does cause a problem especially on the interstates, when you get traffic blocked up, it’s hard to get around,” Rogers said of emergency vehicles. “Now, when you’re congested like that and you have to turn the emergency lights on, everybody’s looking to try to (merge).”
He also said officers wouldn’t be ticketing people who are driving alone on the highway in the left lane.
The bill passed the Oklahoma House on Tuesday with only two dissenting votes. One of those representatives who opposed the bill was Tulsa Democrat Meloyde Blancett, who said she voted from the perspective of a driver instead of a legislator.
“I don’t get the logic of putting everyone in one lane of traffic,” Blancett said. “And yes, when you’re trying to pass and there’s slow people in the left lane, it’s irritating. But by and large, especially since I’ve been driving back and forth from Tulsa to Oklahoma City, most people move out of your way. And if they don’t move out of your way, you look for an opportunity to go around.”
Blancett suggested the state should let good behavior rule.
“Why do we need a law? Call me crazy,” she said. “People get irritated with you if you’re in the left lane. That’s a social consequence. I’m not really sure that oftentimes there should be a legislative consequence to everything.”
The bill now moves to the Senate for final passage.