Alejandro Figueroa | March 22, 2022 | Truck Accidents
A truck driving in the left lane can be a contentious issue. Left-lane drivers can block the roads, creating backed-up traffic and causing frustration for faster drivers. Left-lane driving is also known to increase the risk of accidents related to lane changes and blind spots.
Left-lane driving has its dangers, but is it illegal? In Tampa, it’s complicated. Here’s how the laws in Tampa regulate trucks taking up space in the left lane.
Dangers of Left-Lane Driving
Traffic in the left lane poses a known safety risk for a few reasons.
When any driver chooses to drive in the left lane, it forces other drivers to pass on the right rather than the left. Passing on the right is more likely to result in accidents because of reduced visibility.
This problem becomes more serious when large trucks are involved. Trucks are known to have sizable blind spots, and a truck driver can easily miss a smaller vehicle passing on the right.
In addition to lane change accidents, vehicles driving in the left lane often create a traffic backup, as faster-moving vehicles become trapped behind slower-moving drivers in both the right and left lanes. Congested roadways mean vehicles travel more closely together, increasing the risk of an accident.
Slow drivers blocking the road can also contribute to road rage. When other drivers become frustrated at a slow-moving truck blocking traffic, there’s a higher chance of heightened emotions fueling unsafe driving decisions.
Tampa was recently ranked as one of the worst cities for car accidents. Truck drivers in Tampa can help keep the roads safer by following guidelines related to left-lane driving.
Truck Lane Restrictions
Florida laws can be a bit complicated when it comes to trucks in the left lane.
Florida has truck lane restrictions in some places to help reduce the risk of truck accidents caused by lane changes. All truck lane restrictions apply only to tractor-trailers. Neither tour buses nor recreational vehicles are impacted by truck lane restrictions.
The only truck lane restriction Tampa drivers need to worry about is the one that impacts some parts of I-75. According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), truck lane restrictions are only imposed on six-lane interstate freeways, and primarily in rural areas.
Furthermore, left lane restrictions don’t apply to express lanes. When an express lane is present, truck lane restrictions instead apply to the inside travel lane.
Truck drivers in violation of truck lane restrictions face a minimum fine of $121 and three points against their CDL license.
Tampa’s Left-Lane Driving Laws
Florida encourages drivers to follow safe driving practices. A general rule of thumb Tampa drivers are encouraged to follow is to drive on the right and pass on the left.
However, despite this guideline, driving in the left lane usually isn’t illegal. Currently, Florida law makes it legal for all vehicles, including trucks, to travel in the left lane.
The exception to this is when a faster vehicle is attempting to overtake a left-lane driver. In this case, the slower driver is legally required to move over and allow the faster approaching vehicle to pass using the left lane. This is true even when the faster driver is exceeding the speed limit.
Failure to move over and allow a faster driver to pass is considered a non-criminal driving infraction and can result in being pulled over and ticketed for a moving violation.
Specific local regulations usually trump general rules and guidelines. Florida makes the effort to clearly mark interstates with signage in areas in which trucks are forbidden from driving in the left lane. This is intended to help truck drivers know how and where to comply with the rules of the road in Tampa.
Contact Our Truck Accident Law Firm in Tampa, FL
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Tampa, FL, and need legal help, contact our Tampa truck accident lawyers at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers
Bank of America Plaza
101 E Kennedy Blvd #2400
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 222-8656
We also provide legal assistance throughout the Tampa Bay Area including Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Bradenton.
