To the Editor:
I was happy to see the recent letter titled, “Driving in The Villages is a Challenge” because I have been meaning to write in on this subject for a long time.
In actuality, left lane squatters are breaking the law.
“In Florida and 44 other states, obstructing traffic in the left lane is against the law. Most states follow the Uniform Vehicle Code and require drivers to keep right if they are going slower than the prevailing speed of traffic, regardless of the speed limit.” – Miami Herald
“Florida revised the law regarding the left lane back in 2014. Florida statute 316.081 makes it mandatory to let faster drivers by.”- Fox 13 Tampa Bay
The problem is that most people in Florida do not even know this law exists, and there no public service announcements to inform the public. This law could save the taxpayers in Florida millions in hospital bills, police officer wages, emergency crews, clean-up crews, attorney fees etc. Also, Floridians could save a fortune in car insurance if this law was obeyed because tail gating accidents could be reduced.
When we first moved to Florida in 2013, we drove to Lutz, Florida down I-75 on a Saturday. We were slowed down to 30 mph twice because of accidents in the far left lane. The first accident was a five-car pile-up and the second was a three-car pile-up. They were probably due to someone traveling slower than the prevailing speed and refusing to pull over to the right lane.
Obeying this law will help to reduce road rage by being considerate and moving over to the right to let faster traffic by.
Below is a brief excerpt of the law along with the link:
316.081 Driving on right side of roadway; exceptions.—
(1) Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:
(a) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;
(b) When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway;
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.081.html
Remember drive right, unless passing.
Annette Clement
Village of Hemingway
