Arizona lawmakers are currently composing a bill to help prevent slow drivers from traveling in the far left lanes on highways, as this lane is intended to be the fast lane for drivers. Specifically, Arizona State Representative Teresa Martinez is spearheading the effort after noticing the increasingly more common issue. The proposal she is making to the other state leaders would include a $500 fine for those who drive below the speed limit of the left lane. However, because of how state fines work in Arizona, there would be additional surcharges and fees that would be placed on the penalty, leading to a total payment closer to $1,000. Martinez and her other representatives that support her hope this will serve as a deterrent and encourage slower drivers to stay out of the left lane.

Technically, driving in the left lane is illegal in Arizona.

Per the law in Arizona and in many other states, the left lane on highways and regular roads alike are meant to serve very specific purposes. The left lane is supposed to only be used for passing and to make left turns. The law essentially states to keep to the right as much as possible except when “overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.” While this verbiage does not explicitly say one cannot drive in the left lane, it is implied and interpreted that way. However, this law is often ignored and in turn people view the left lane as the “fast lane.”

Martinez says there is room to alter the law to improve it.

According to Martinez, because the law is not often followed either due to ignorance of the law or simply ignoring the law, people tend to plug up the left lane with slow traffic. This then makes it impossible for the left lane to actually serve its intended purpose of being a passing lane. If vehicles move slowly in the lane, people are not able to get in the left lane to pass those driving slowly in front of them. Martinez says that this can lead to frustration on the road and create road rage.

Martinez adds to her law that the state DOT must build road signs.

Since few know about or follow the left lane law, with her imposed fine idea, Martinez also wants Arizona’s Department of Transportation to put up large signs clearly stating the laws of the lanes and the $500 fine if not followed. She believes the combination of the signs and the fine will make Arizona residents more aware of the laws and more likely to follow them. She has not quite formulated how the enforcement of these laws will happen, but nonetheless, you could soon see signs stating “Left lane for passing only, slow traffic keep right” if Martinez’ proposed bill takes off in Arizona government.