As lawmakers return to work after the new year, several states are expected to take up new legislation on left-lane use.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association supports a balanced approach to using the left lane. The approach focuses on safe passing and keeping traffic moving. OOIDA is the nation’s largest trade group for small-business truckers and professional drivers.
Earlier this year, Louisiana and Idaho passed laws to address slow traffic in the left lane on certain highways. The year before, Colorado and Kentucky adopted similar rules that limit the use of the left lane by trucks.
The left lane is meant for faster-moving traffic, but too often, slow drivers create dangerous situations and delays, especially for commercial drivers.
Law enforcement told us the old law was hard to enforce. SB11 gives them the tools to better address this issue.
— Jay Luneau (@luneau_jay) May 29, 2025
New York
A New York bill introduced last week targets the use of the left lane by trucks.
State rules generally keep trucks out of the far-left lane. Trucks are allowed to use the left lane for passing.
In other parts of the state, lane use is not restricted. On highways with just two lanes, trucks can use either lane.
Sponsored by Sen. Keith Brown, R-Long Island, the bill would require trucks, buses, slow-moving vehicles and certain other traffic to stay in the two right lanes on highways with at least three lanes in one direction. The rule would apply statewide.
Drivers could still use the left lane to prepare for a left turn or to take a left-side exit. Lanes beyond the two rightmost would be marked “No Trucks or Buses.”
The bill, A9331, is in the Assembly Transportation Committee.
OOIDA opposition
OOIDA says truck drivers see firsthand how poorly designed traffic laws can cause problems. Even when unintentional, banning trucks from certain lanes can create serious challenges for drivers and reduce safety for everyone on the road.
“Lane restrictions create a ‘barrier effect,’ decreasing safety by creating dangerous merging and lane-changing conditions, more aggressive driving and ultimately increasing crashes,” the Association said.
Michigan
A Michigan bill also focuses on truck travel.
Current law says all vehicles may use the far-left lane only to pass another vehicle. Commercial vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds must stay in the two rightmost lanes.
House lawmakers approved a bill to clarify and enforce this rule.
Rep. Will Bruck, R-Erie, told lawmakers the rule needs to be fixed because police cannot currently issue tickets for violations.
HB4522 would allow enforcement of the truck lane rule. Additionally, the change would clearly ban large trucks from the far-left lane on freeways with three or more lanes in the same direction.
In work zones with only two lanes, trucks would be required to use the rightmost lane.
Some exceptions would apply.
Bruck said there are many reasons to make this change.
“This legislation redefines and strengthens the language of current law by requiring large trucks and tractor-trailers to stay out of the left lane on expressways with three or more lanes,” Bruck said.
The bill is in the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Missouri
A new Missouri bill focuses on left-lane driving rules.
Under current law, drivers on highways with at least two lanes in the same direction must stay in the right lane. Exceptions include passing another vehicle, letting traffic merge or preparing for a legal left turn.
Large trucks weighing more than 48,000 pounds are also affected. In the Kansas City and St. Louis areas, these trucks may not use the far-left lane on roads with three or more lanes going in the same direction.
SB1299 would set a minimum fine of $300 for driving in a passing lane when not actively passing another vehicle.
On two-lane roads outside urban areas, drivers would have to pull over if five or more vehicles are backed up behind them. Violators would face a $100 fine.
The bill is waiting to be assigned to a committee for the session that starts Jan. 7. LL
More Land Line coverage of state news is available.
Credit: Source link
