Michigan bill would ban left lanes for trucks

A bipartisan state bill could limit big trucks to the right two lanes on expressways with three or more lanes.

Michigan law currently prohibits all vehicles from unnecessarily occupying the left lane. Using of the left lane is allowed in cases when you need to get ahead of another vehicle moving in the same direction.

Commercial vehicles with total weight of more than 10000 pounds are also prohibited from using the far left lane on controlled-access highways or highways with three or more lanes.

Lawmakers say this rule change will help reduce congestion on busy roads by ensuring large trucks don’t obstruct traffic in the left lane.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) said truckers are first-hand observers and participants in the negative consequences of unjustified traffic regulations, and restricting trucks to certain lanes would create serious problems for truckers and jeopardize the safety of drivers and passengers.

HB5304 was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The committee still has to bring up the left-lane driving bill. This issue will be discussed in the committee no earlier than Tuesday, November 14.

New Mexico passed a similar law earlier this year. According to it, large trucks are prohibited from entering the left lane of interstate highways. New Mexico law also requires all vehicles to keep to the right. Violators face a fine of $25.