Oklahoma Lawmakers Hope to Cut Down on Road Rage Accidents with Proposed Left Lane Restrictions

Although commonly referred to as the “passing lane”, many Oklahoma motorists don’t differentiate the far left lane from the others. In fact, it’s actually considered a traffic violation in Oklahoma to use this lane unless a driver is actively attempting to pass another vehicle. Few, however, are cited for this violation and usually only if they are driving so slowly that they are impeding traffic. A new law, however, that was recently proposed by state lawmakers would put time limits on how long drivers can actually stay in the left lane without getting penalized. The hope is that, if passed, the law would cut down on the road rage incidents on Oklahoma’s roads, which have increased significantly in recent years.

Left Lane Time Restrictions 

House Bill 3452, which was introduced this spring and is currently making its way through the state legislature, aims to place time limits on how long motorists can stay in the far left lane. For instance, under the terms of the proposed law, motorists who are driving passenger cars and pickup trucks would have one minute to drive in the left lane in order to pass other vehicles, while semi-trucks and other tractor-trailers would have two minutes. Those who violate these time limits would face fines of $250. Furthermore, the terms of the new law would make it much more difficult for violators to deny these citations. The bill passed the House, but remains in the Senate for ongoing consideration.

How the Bill Could Reduce Road Rage 

Although if passed, the new law would help traffic move more smoothly on Oklahoma’s increasingly congested roadways, this is not the only motivation for the bill’s introduction. The lawmakers who sponsored the bill, for instance, have stated that the ultimate goal behind the law is to cut down on incidents of road rage on Oklahoma roads, many of which have been linked to left lane violations.

Financial Recovery for a Road Rage Accident 

Driving too slowly, even while in the wrong lane, is never an excuse for road rage. Unfortunately, there’s no way to predict what types of behavior could cause a driver to react aggressively, which could involve making rude gestures, swerving, cutting off other drivers, tailgating, and brake checking among others. This type of driving is extremely dangerous to other road users and often results in accidents, which is why many state legislatures are making efforts to pass laws that will reduce these encounters. Notably, the proposed Oklahoma bill places specific restrictions on trucks in the far left lane, indicating that road rage incidents with these large vehicles are of particular concern.

Contact Levinson Law About Your Oklahoma Truck Accident 

The fate of House Bill 3452 remains to be seen, but unfortunately, in the meantime, road rage accidents will likely continue to occur. If you or a loved one were injured in a collision because of an aggressive driver, please call the Tulsa trucking accident lawyers at Levinson Law. You can set up an initial consultation with a member of our legal team by calling 918-492-4433 or by reaching out to us online.

Sources: 

oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb3452&Session=2400

forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/state-rankings-confrontational-drivers/