It’s still OK to drive in the left lane; DeSantis vetoed changes

Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed a bill that would have prevented drivers from cruising in left lanes on many highways.

HB 317 applied to highways with at least two lanes and speed limits of at least 65 mph. The bill included exemptions for drivers passing other motorists, preparing to exit, turning from left lanes or being directed to left lanes by officers or traffic-control devices.

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In a veto letter Friday, DeSantis said the bill was “too broad” and that it could result in motorists “being pulled over, ticketed and fined for driving in the furthest left lane even if they are not impeding the flow of traffic of if there are few or no other cars in the immediate area.”

DeSantis added that the bill could “potentially increase congestion in Florida’s urban areas as drivers may decide to not utilize the furthest left-hand lane at all for fear of being ticketed.”

The measure was unanimously approved by the Senate and drew only three dissenting votes in the House.