A new bill that is set to become law will fine left-lane drivers who don’t move over for faster vehicles.
The bill, which was brought forward by Senator John Jasinski, is intended to help keep traffic flowing and push drivers to become more aware of their surroundings.
“It doesn’t cost anything and it makes traffic flow much better,” said Sen. Jasinski, who called the bill a crackdown on common sense. “I drive a lot from Faribault to the metro, and this happens a lot where you get stuck behind a car and you can’t get by them and it gets frustrating.”
Jasinski was quick to specify that the bill is not an invitation to speed, which will lead to its own ticket, but it will punish slow drivers that camp out in the left lane. The bill states that any driver found in violation of the law could face a fine of $125.
Slowpoke Driver Law
The bill has already passed and was signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz as part of a larger transportation bill. Even though the bill has been signed into law, it won’t officially be enforced until August 1.
Minnesota is expecting to run a public awareness campaign on the problems associated with driving slowly in the left lane in the near future to help drivers understand the risks and prepare for the enforcement of the new law. We’ll provide an update on that campaign once it goes live, but be aware of this upcoming law as you drive across the state this summer. Unless you’re actively passing someone, it’s a good idea to remain in the right lane. Even if you’re going above the speed limit, if someone behind you clearly wants to go faster, move over. You may be surprised on who will get the ticket if you pass a police officer while you’re camping out in the left lane.
We will be prepared to fight these citations once the law goes into effect, so if you or someone you know ends up with a left lane citation, contact Appelman Law Firm to learn about your defense options. You may not think that $125 is much of a fee, but it can also affect your driver’s license status and your car insurance rates, so it’s always a good idea to talk with an attorney to ensure you have a full understanding of the situation. We offer free case evaluations for situations like these, and you can set that up by clicking here or by giving our office a call at (952) 224-2277.
