Why Connecticut Is Revamping Its Left-Lane Driving Law
Connecticut has begun cracking down on slow drivers in the left lane by passing a new law that will be enforced starting October 1. The legislation allows Connecticut police to ticket these drivers if they stay in the left lane without passing another vehicle. Those found guilty of left lane camping will receive a $142 ticket per offense. Connecticut Senator Christine Cohen described the law as helping to prevent drivers from impeding the flow of traffic and clarifying expectations in the left lane. Cohen said that current law: “Says we shall drive in the right-hand lane, but doesn’t say anything specifically about left lane camping,” CT Mirror reports.
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Josh Morgan, spokesman for Connecticut’s Department of Transportation, noted that clarifying the language around current legislation allows state workers to discourage the activity further and install proper signage, and that the law isn’t solely about pulling more drivers over. Morgan stated: “When we looked at [the] state statute, it was a little unclear where it applied. It definitely applied to two-lane routes, but it was a little unclear in our reading if that extended to three or more lanes. So, we wanted to make sure that it was very clear that it was any multi-lane road on a limited access highway,” according to the Hartford Courant. Morgan added that first responders have expressed frustration with left lane camping, as it blocks emergency vehicles from reaching a scene quickly. Connecticut lawmakers have also highlighted how left lane camping can cause other drivers to weave in and out of traffic to pass dangerously. Still, Morgan doesn’t expect that the police will make enforcing Connecticut’s new left lane passing rule a top daily priority.
Exceptions for Connecticut drivers and other states with similar laws
Exceptions to Connecticut’s legislation include when there’s a left-lane exit that you need to take, when there’s an obstruction requiring you to enter the left lane, or when you’re passing another car. Emergency and construction vehicles actively on the job are also exempt. Massachusetts and New York are two other states that have more clearly defined left lane driving rules, with Massachusetts fining drivers $100 for an offense, while New York imposes fines of up to $150. A bill from the Arizona House proposed tagging violators with a penalty of up to $500, but the Senate amended this amount to $200, and it hasn’t yet been finalized. Connecticut Senator Cohen said, “What we’ve seen from other states is that when drivers really understand and respect the ‘keep right, pass left’ principle, roads just become less stressful and less congested and run more efficiently,” CT Mirror reports.
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Final thoughts
Connecticut will begin posting signage reminding drivers that the left lane is for passing ahead of enforcement starting October 1. The state’s lawmakers have emphasized that while police will have the authority to ticket drivers violating left lane rules, the legislation prioritizes further discouragement of the activity over fine collection. In turn, Connecticut hopes to clear congestion while reducing instances of road rage and more dangerous passing.