Little Rock, Arkansas – The use of road signage to indicate that the left lane is reserved for passing is not new. Many of us are accustomed to seeing these signs when traveling long distances on two-lane interstates.
However, did you know that when you are in a city with three or four lanes, it is also illegal?
ACT 1090 was approved in 2021 and went into effect, requiring vehicles in Arkansas to stay in the left lane when driving in the same direction on multilane highways.
The ordinance was put in place to improve safety and backups, according to Arkansas State Police Captain Brad Lann.
“If you’re just over there and not moving over, driving in the left lane slows down traffic flow.”
You run the risk of causing accidents behind you if you slow down traffic. Since there are numerous exits on Interstate 630, we want to keep the traffic going as smoothly and efficiently as possible,” Lann stated. “I think the center lane would be the greatest for you to be in. In this manner, you won’t have to shift over when traffic is merging on from all those entry traps.
In Arkansas, there are a few exceptions to the rule, though, such as when you would exit to the left. You have to return to the middle or right lane after passing a car.
Since the rule’s implementation in 2021, state and local law enforcement have given 4,11 penalties and 3,100 warnings for left-lane driving, according to a report released by ARDOT.
Captain Lann affirmed that you may be given a citation for the driving infraction. The fines, however, differ based on the court in which the ticket is processed.
Share the road and only utilize the left lane while passing other vehicles to avoid driving yourself or other people nuts.
