Alabama lawmakers advance left lane driving bill

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – The Alabama House of Representatives has voted to ticket motorists who unnecessarily linger in the left lane on the interstate.

Dubbed the “Anti-Road Rage Act,” the measure says motorists could be ticketed for driving more than a mile-and-a-half in the leftmost lane without passing another vehicle. The bill has a number of exceptions such as when there is traffic congestion or bad weather.

Representatives voted 61-24 for the bill Thursday. It now moves to the Alabama Senate.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Phillip Pettus, said left-lane driving motorists become a safety hazard and enrage drivers behind them causing more safety risks. Pettus is a former state trooper.

Some lawmakers questioned the enforceability of the measure.