Left Lane Driving Bill Cruises Through MS Congress

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Left lane drivers, listen up! Rules of the road in Mississippi could soon be changing.

The idea, keep the left lane open for emergency and passing vehicles.

As of right now, you may get a look of disapproval from other drivers if you take your time in the left lane.

“I think it’s a new fine for a new violation. Currently it’s not against the law to drive slow in the left lane.”

This is a change lawmakers have considered for several years now.

It passed the House last legislative session but later died in a committee.

House Bill 80 makes it so that folks can’t hold up traffic in the left lane. If they do, they’ll get fined. Frustrated drivers say bring it on.

“Get in your lane. You have a whole lane designated for you,” argues driver, Bethany Johnson.

The bill lists the reasons when left lane driving would be allowed. They are for passing, exiting, or if the right lane is in disrepair or under construction. Drivers say, they think it would make the highways safer.

“See ’em riding in the lane, slow poking on the phone, texting, just driving slow in the wrong lane. It’s trouble getting over when you’re behind a person and they’re riding slow. You have to get over, jump over, to keep from having accidents,” says commuter Kenneth Brown.

So what about this fine? The bill sets it between $5 and $50. I asked drivers if they think it’s enough to deter the left lane slow pokes.

“Yeah, cause it adds up. So, I think it’s enough. You get it too many times, it adds up. So, it’s enough for me,” explains Johnson.

Both the House and Senate have now passed the bill.

Governor Bryant’s office tells us he does plan to sign it into law. It would take effect July 1.