Drivers in New Jersey may want to think twice before hogging the left lane.
Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation Wednesday increasing the fine for failing to keep right or failure to observe traffic lanes.
The new law raises the fine from $50 and $200 to between $100 and $300.
Christie said the new law creates safer driving conditions.
Motorists in the Garden State are required to stay in the right lane unless they are passing slower traffic.
There were more than 4,200 left lane tickets written last year. With the increased fines, the law could turn into a seven-figure moneymaker for the state.
Some drivers said the focus should be on safety, not on cashing in on poor driving.
The bill’s sponsors said staying in the left lane creates a dangerous situation for motorists.
Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, who co-sponsored the bill, said going too slow causes road rage and forces drivers to go around.
“If you have one person driving in the left lane who shouldn’t be, you can have hundreds of very frustrated, potentially aggressive, drivers. Frustrated by them, trying to get around them – you solve this, you educate one of these people, you can eliminate hundreds of aggressive drivers,” O’Scanlon told WCBSTV.
(AP)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
8 Responses
I dont under stand. Whats wrong with driving in the left lane. It usually move a little bit faster.
Are you driving slower or faster than the people behind you?
A lot of people are speeding. I am driving at the full speed limit. (Usually 65.) It is illegal to go faster than that. I should worry about the speeders??
This would make sense for left lane hogs under the speed limit, but if you are driving at the speed limit (or faster), why should you have to make room for a faster speeder?
#1 The left lane is predominately used for emergency vehicles and therefore should be left empty except for passing.
1. The left lane is called the PASSING LANE for a reason. Pass the vehicle & get back to your lane. DONT hang out there.
That being said, i am NOT in favor of the higher fines. I believe ENFORCEMENT would be a far better choice.
$300 is simply too little considering the sole interest of safety of both O’Scanlan and Christie. Why not up the fine to $3000 or better yet $30.000. Yes it sounds like a lot but hey is there a price for safety?
#6: The left lane is used 99% by non-emergency vehicles. Rarely have I seen an emergency vehicle driving in the left land on a highway.