Fresh left lane law goes into effect July 1
RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Freeway traffic is supposed to be one of the most efficient ways to get around town and inbetween cities. But nothing is more frustrating than getting behind someone in the prompt lane who just isn’t going swift.
“I think they should be cited if they are well below the speed limit. If it is a duo of miles and not hindering traffic and not causing a problem…. if well below the speed limit they should be cited,” says local driver Jesse Morales.
Now there is ease for Jesse and the thousands of other drivers in Nevada who want slow drivers to get out of the prompt lane.
“It’s the number one lane,” Trooper Dan Gordon with the Nevada Highway Patrol.
Trooper Gordon takes us for a rail I-580 to explain AB334. It goes into effect July 1.
The law says drivers can be cited if they drive in the swift lane—holding back traffic behind them.
Gordon says it’s one of the top reasons for road rage.
“What they will do is budge over to the 2nd lane, #Two lane, or middle lane. They will pass and then as soon as they clear the car, they will cut back in the quick lane, cutting the driver off that is going below the speed limit. And next thing you know, they are demonstrating each other they are number one, and they are holding up the finger,” says Trooper Gordon
Gordon says the far left or rapid lane is designed as a passing lane.
Drivers should yield to the right for cars coming up behind them. The driver in the rear should pass and get over as well into the right lane.
Trooper Gordon says the far left lane is also reserved for emergency vehicles.
“This is where we need to be especially for responding to an incident,” he says.
The trooper says the law won’t be hard to enforce as they’ll be able to see when a car in the left lane just isn’t going swift enough.
As we drive down the interstate in the far left lane he points ahead to us.
“White car 4th car up is going below the speed limit. You can kind of see the effect it has,” he says.
Indeed, four cars behind the white car are stifled in the left lane, and there’s no room in the right mitt lane to stir over.
What if all the cars in the left lane are, say, going ninety miles an hour?
“Nevada is individual responsibility. You have to do the right thing,” says Trooper Gordon.
First-time offenders face a $50 fine. It goes up from there. And, yes, your insurance company will consider it a moving disturbance.