The Texas Department of Transportation held a public meeting in Amarillo, Texas, to discuss a proposal that would prohibit trucks from driving in the left lane.
The proposal would mandate all three and four-lane highways in Texas.
“We want to keep slower, bigger vehicles out of the left lane to help through traffic,” said TxDOT Amarillo District spokesman Paul Braun. “But it’s also safety because if you have slower vehicles in the left lane, you have other vehicles making a lot of lane changes to get by.”
If passed, the law would apply to trucks with three or more axles. Trucks would be permitted to use the left lane only to pass.
Texas currently has a left lane law that applies to all motorists. The law states the left lane is to be used only for passing.
The TxDOT website states, “After you pass someone, move into the right lane once you’ve safely cleared the vehicle. Impeding the flow of traffic by continuing to drive in the left lane is punishable by a fine of up to $200.”