SPECIAL REPORT: Driving in the Left Lane
Posted: May 04, two thousand seventeen 11:52 PM CDT
Updated: May 05, two thousand seventeen 01:23 AM CDT
PEORIA – If you`re used to driving in the left lane, be ready to pay a fine.
«That`s one of my pet peeves of driving is staying in the left lane and not paying attention to what you`re doing,» said Bob, as he drove through Peoria on his way home to Ohio.
«I think a lot of people don`t care anymore, I think a lot of people kind of, it`s all about them, as long as they get to where they`re going,» said driver, Jordan Lloyd.
Driving in the left lane, except to pass slower vehicles has been illegal in Illinois since January 2004. Hundreds of drivers still do it on a daily basis, but state police say that doesn`t make it right.
«It is your duty as a driver to only use that left lane as a passing lane. If you have traffic come up behind you, you are to stir over in the right lane,» said Illinois State Police Trooper Ross Green.
Not moving over could cost you up to $120. State police stopped one hundred forty four drivers last year in the Peoria area for improper lane usage. Many of them were left lane drivers, and putting the safety of others at risk.
«People aren`t anticipating on those vehicles passing on the right side, and a lot of times we have people cutting people off, and even causing crashes because they`re just not used to that right lane passing,» Trooper Green said.
That is why the law was made, and being enforced across the country. It`s written in the Illinois vehicle code, permitting officers to stop drivers who hold up traffic. Many drivers tell us they agree.
«You get caught driving in the left lane in England and you get a ticket right now, so I think they ought to do that in the United States,» Bob said.
«I`m attempting to get somewhere and you need to be in the right lane so that I can go swifter in the left lane,» Lloyd said.
Enforcement isn`t as effortless for police as it may seem.
«The only way we can indeed enforce this law, is if us, the law enforcement officers, are traveling behind somebody who is essentially clogging up the passing lane and using it as a driving lane,» said Trooper Green.
Sometimes, passing in the left lane also becomes illegal.
«If you`re passing slower traffic at 70, then you are violating the speed limit,» said Trooper Green.
Most drivers just ask you to think of others on the road.
«I`ve had people stay in the left lane and just, basically challenge me to pass them on the right,» Bob said.
«Just be conscious of other people, like not only with driving but everything,» Lloyd said.
State police say a ticket for left lane driving is considered a moving disturbance and isn`t limited to interstates. Any two-lane highway can fall into the law.
Copyright two thousand seventeen Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
SPECIAL REPORT: Driving in the Left Lane – Story, CIProud
SPECIAL REPORT: Driving in the Left Lane
Posted: May 04, two thousand seventeen 11:52 PM CDT
Updated: May 05, two thousand seventeen 01:23 AM CDT
PEORIA – If you`re used to driving in the left lane, be ready to pay a fine.
«That`s one of my pet peeves of driving is staying in the left lane and not paying attention to what you`re doing,» said Bob, as he drove through Peoria on his way home to Ohio.
«I think a lot of people don`t care anymore, I think a lot of people kind of, it`s all about them, as long as they get to where they`re going,» said driver, Jordan Lloyd.
Driving in the left lane, except to pass slower vehicles has been illegal in Illinois since January 2004. Hundreds of drivers still do it on a daily basis, but state police say that doesn`t make it right.
«It is your duty as a driver to only use that left lane as a passing lane. If you have traffic come up behind you, you are to stir over in the right lane,» said Illinois State Police Trooper Ross Green.
Not moving over could cost you up to $120. State police stopped one hundred forty four drivers last year in the Peoria area for improper lane usage. Many of them were left lane drivers, and putting the safety of others at risk.
«People aren`t anticipating on those vehicles passing on the right side, and a lot of times we have people cutting people off, and even causing crashes because they`re just not used to that right lane passing,» Trooper Green said.
That is why the law was made, and being enforced across the country. It`s written in the Illinois vehicle code, permitting officers to stop drivers who hold up traffic. Many drivers tell us they agree.
«You get caught driving in the left lane in England and you get a ticket right now, so I think they ought to do that in the United States,» Bob said.
«I`m attempting to get somewhere and you need to be in the right lane so that I can go quicker in the left lane,» Lloyd said.
Enforcement isn`t as effortless for police as it may seem.
«The only way we can indeed enforce this law, is if us, the law enforcement officers, are traveling behind somebody who is essentially clogging up the passing lane and using it as a driving lane,» said Trooper Green.
Sometimes, passing in the left lane also becomes illegal.
«If you`re passing slower traffic at 70, then you are violating the speed limit,» said Trooper Green.
Most drivers just ask you to think of others on the road.
«I`ve had people stay in the left lane and just, basically challenge me to pass them on the right,» Bob said.
«Just be conscious of other people, like not only with driving but everything,» Lloyd said.
State police say a ticket for left lane driving is considered a moving disturbance and isn`t limited to interstates. Any two-lane highway can fall into the law.
Copyright two thousand seventeen Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.