Drivers who don't move out of left lane may get tickets

10:42 AM, Mar 17, 2011   |    comments
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Sgt. Tom Baitinger (left) and Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz (right)
Remembering Officers Tom Baitinger and Jeffrey Yaslowitz 

-- Read the tragic story of the two officers killed in the line of duty
-- Photo Gallery: Two St. Pete Police officers shot and killed
-- More Pictures: Funerals of Officers Yaslowitz and Baitinger
-- Leave your message for the fallen officers' families here

 

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-- Fundraisers for fallen officers

 

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-- St. Pete Police in shock over officers' deaths
-- Boxer reached out to Jeff Lacy after shooting
-- Economy making high-risk warrants more dangerous?
-- Seffner man to release doves at officers' funerals
-- St. Petersburg's History of Fallen Officers

 

TAMPA, Florida -- We've all been there. And we all know it can be one of the most frustrating experiences behind the wheel, when that one car in front of us just refuses to move over.

"It's usually an old person," said Chris Cameron, "I see a lot of people speed up, they end up going 90 in a 70, and they just try to fly past the person."

But should it be against the law?

State Sen. Mike Bennett (R-Bradenton) says it's too dangerous not to be.

A bill he's introduced would force drivers to get out of the left lane, not just on interstates, but all streets with two or more lanes.

"It cuts down on the amount of road rage.  It also makes traffic better.  Maybe we wouldn't have as much crowding on the interstates and crowding on some of the four lanes if people would just practice a little courteous driving," Sen. Bennett explained.

But not everyone is on board with the idea.

"We would not support a bill that would punish a driver who is driving at the legal speed limit and favor a driver who is breaking the law and speeding," said Karen Morgan, Public Policy Manager for AAA.

Morgan adds that the wording of the bill, calling for drivers who "impede the flow of traffic" be cited, is too vague.

"If that was addressed, we would consider changing our position," she said.

Many drivers, though, give it the green light.

"It seems like if you've been driving for any length of time, you should understand the left lane is the fast lane," Cameron said.

The amount of the fine still hasn't been determined.

The bill also calls for drivers who overreact and drive too aggressively around those not moving over to be fined as well.

Bennett says more than 20 other states have similar laws.

He points out a nearly identical bill passed the Florida legislature several years ago, but was vetoed by then Gov. Jeb Bush.

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