TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida lawmakers are once again pushing to ban left-lane camping on the state’s highways, though they may face an obstacle on their crusade: Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The issue popped up during last year’s Legislative session, with the bill’s sponsor — state Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-78 — pointing to the issue of drivers disrupting the flow of traffic by holding up the left lane.
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It’s currently legal to drive the speed limit in the left lane of the highway, even when it involves holding up traffic. At most, a left-lane camper can be cited for impeding the flow of traffic if faster vehicles are stacking up behind the driver’s car.
“On a road, street or highway having two or more lanes allowing movement in the same direction, a driver may not continue to operate a motor vehicle in the furthermost left-hand lane if the drive 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 rate of speed,” Florida law reads.
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However, as Trooper Steve explains, it’s not the best idea to stick to the left lane, as that lane is typically meant for passing by slower cars — not maintaining speed.
As a result, state lawmakers voted nigh unanimously to approve the bill last year, though it was ultimately vetoed alongside two other bills after it hit DeSantis’ desk.
In his veto letter, DeSantis wrote the following explanation for why he made the decision:
“With limited exceptions, this bill prohibits the driver of a motor vehicle from driving in the furthest left-hand lane of any road in Florida with two or more lanes and a posted speed limit of at least 65 miles per hour. Violators would be guilty of a moving violation and subject to a fine of up to $158.
The language of this bill is too broad and could lead to drivers in Florida being pulled over, ticketed, and fined for driving in the furthest left lane even if they are not impeding the flow of traffic or if there are few or no other cars in the immediate area.
In addition, the bill could potentially increase congestion in Florida’s urban areas as drivers may decide to not utilize the furthest left-hand lane at all for fear of being ticketed.
For these reasons, I withhold my approval of HB 317 and do hereby veto the same.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (2024)
Despite that, state lawmakers are once again pushing to get the traffic ban through.
The bills (HB 545 and SB 636) were filed last month and would prohibit drivers from staying in the leftmost lane on a street or highway with a speed limit of at least 65 mph.
But exceptions to this rule include the following situations:
- Overtaking or passing another vehicle
- Preparing to exit the road, street or highway
- Pulling over to allow an emergency vehicle to pass by
- To avoid disabled vehicles, emergency vehicles, roadwork vehicles, or pedestrians as required by Florida’s “Move Over” law
- Directed to do so by an official traffic control device
- Environmental or traffic conditions necessitate doing so
These new bills have largely the same impacts as last year’s proposal. As such, it remains to be seen whether DeSantis will approve of the motion.
If approved and signed into law, the changes would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
In the meantime, Trooper Steve provided his take on the legislation last year.
“It’s nice to have something in writing that gives law enforcement officers the tool to actually enforce this,” Montiero said. “Unlike the current texting and driving law, this gives law enforcement officers the ability to hopefully prevent crashes and keep traffic moving.”