Q&A – Should Governor DeSantis Veto the Interstate Safety Bill?

Q&A – Should Governor DeSantis Veto the Interstate Safety Bill? 

Each day I feature a listener question sent by one of these methods.       

Email: brianmudd@iheartmedia.com      

Social: @brianmuddradio     

iHeartRadio: Use the Talkback feature – the microphone button on our station’s page in the iHeart app.        

Today’s Entry: Against any bill that restricts the bulk of auto travel to one lane to convenience those that break the law and speed. Forces residential traffic and commercial traffic together: 

Commercial and single file traffic restricts forward vision for residential and smaller vehicles especially at high speeds. 

In states that restrict the free flow of traffic in this way my experience is that there is excessive wear and tear in the left lane caused by forcing commercial traffic into one lane that can create uncomfortable travel conditions and even dangerous road surfaces especially for residential and smaller vehicles. 

Staggered traffic formations are the safer way to travel, and distribute the weight load across the road surface. 

Bottom Line: Today’s note is inspired by Florida’s Interstate Safety bill which would potentially have a profound impact on the daily drive of most South Floridians (and all Floridians anytime they’re driving on an interstate or the turnpike). The legislation, which would significantly restrict left lane use on high-speed roadways, passed the state legislature with very little resistance. The vote in the house included only three dissenters and the vote in the senate was unanimous. So, what exactly is this bill about and what would it do if Governor DeSantis signs it into law? Let’s start with the state’s summary analysis of the legislation... 

<<Under Florida law, on any road, street, or highway having two or more lanes going the same direction, a driver may not continue to operate a motor vehicle in the furthermost left-hand lane if he or she knows or reasonably should know that he or she is being overtaken in that lane from the rear by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher speed. This does not apply to drivers operating a vehicle that is overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or is preparing for a left turn at an intersection. A violation is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation. The statutory base fine is $60, but with additional fees and surcharges, the total penalty may be up to $158.  

The bill provides that on any road, street, or highway having two or more lanes allowing movement in the same direction with a posted speed limit of at least 65 miles per hour, a driver may not operate a motor vehicle in the furthermost left-hand lane, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle, when preparing to exit the road, street, or highway, or when otherwise directed by an official traffic control device. This provision does not apply to authorized emergency vehicles and vehicles engaged in highway maintenance or construction operations. The bill also defines the term “furthermost left-hand lane” to exclude from that term high occupancy-vehicle lanes and designated left-turn lanes. A violation is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation. The statutory base fine is $60, but with additional fees and surcharges, the total penalty may be up to $158.>> 

So, what the legislation states is that it would be illegal to remain in the left lane on roadways with speed limits of 65 or higher. This would effectively turn those lanes exclusively into passing lanes. Under current Florida law, it’s legal to stay in left lanes if you’re driving at a faster speed than vehicles to the right of you. On that note I share similar concerns to the listener who submitted today’s note. 

If there’s one thing we all already know it’s that Florida’s highways are already regularly congested. According to a study by the National Transportation Research Nonprofit, or TRIP, on an adjusted basis Floridians already spend the 5th most time battling congested interstates in the country. Florida’s interstates, which are vital to the daily commute of hundreds of thousands, are already 33% more congested than the national average. If we further reduce capacity by stating that the left lane on Florida’s high-speed roads can only be used for passing, what’s the impact on traffic likely to be? What’s more is that there might be a natural incentive for enhanced speeding by those using left lanes as drivers might feel it necessary to clear as many cars as possible at a time in an effort to minimize the number of lane changes for the purposes of passing.  

The logic behind this legislation, which passed the legislature with overwhelming support, is that it’s far less safe for drivers to be passing vehicles in right lanes which often leads to those vehicles zigzagging through traffic – which is true. However, the unintended consequences of this legislation may mitigate the intended safety benefits while creating additional traffic congestion on already heavily congested roads. Similar legislation was proposed in last year’s session, but it stalled out. This year there was the bipartisan political will in the legislature to get this across the finish line and over to Governor DeSantis’ desk. However, I think it may be in the best interests of Floridians for the governor to pump the brakes on this bill this year.  

Prior to the passage of a law that would have the potential to impact the daily commute of nearly half the state’s driving population, I think it would be appropriate for an impact study to be used and understood as the basis for a new “Interstate Safety” law. This bill strikes me as one that’s good in theory but that may not be with practical application given the driving patterns and existing congestion within our state. 


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