Louisiana’s Left-Lane ‘Move Over’ Law Is Getting Some Teeth

(Baton Rouge, LA) It's not very often that a member of the Louisiana legislature calls a piece of legislation "the most important bill of the session," and this bit of lawmaking, should it come to fruition, might already have its own theme song.

Now, we ask you, with all of the issues Louisiana appears to be facing, what issue do you think this legislation is addressing? Is it flooding and drainage? No, who needs that, right? Are car insurance rates? Or, what about homeowners' insurance with the upcoming hurricane season? You'd think all of those important issues would qualify, but nope, they are not the subject of "the most important bill of the session".

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According to Senator Jay Luneau of Alexandria, that honor belongs to Louisiana's "Move, Get Out of the Way" law. You know, the law that states you can't "drive slow" in the left lane of a major highway. Evidently, some drivers in Louisiana have never heard of that concept. And every one of those drivers is on the interstate at exactly the same time I am.

Which Causes More Accidents, Driving too Fast or Driving too Slow?

You're probably thinking the need for speed is far more dangerous. You'd be wrong. It's actually those drivers who motor along well below the posted speed that are the catalysts for most of the collisions and crashes that happen on our highways.

I get it. It's frustrating to want to travel the posted speed and be caught behind someone who is driving a lot more conservatively than you. Here is the way the current law about "camping in the left lane" reads. The law says a vehicle may not travel less than 10 mph below the posted speed in the left lane of a four-lane highway. So, technically, all of those folks who are frustrating you are not breaking the law.

What's The Difference Between Louisiana's Left Lane Driving Laws?

The new legislation would give law enforcement the option to ticket motorists who are traveling below the posted speed and not looking to pass vehicles in the right-hand lane. In other words, those folks who like to camp in the left lane. First time offense will set you back $150.

Some Louisiana Senators joked that a $150 first-time fine is "too lenient" and that the actual punishment for motorists who clog up the highways should be time in jail. At least, we think they were kidding when they said that.

The Senate passed the legislation by a vote of 35-3. The measure now heads to the Louisiana House for further debate.