Michigan Drivers Beware

Michigan State Police are planning a “crackdown” on West Michigan freeways. Their target? Left lane drivers now through the end of April, according to a recent Mlive article. “Most violators don’t realize that the left lane is intended for vehicles that are passing– it’s not a travel lane.” Michigan State Police will be targeting left-lane drivers with the intent to “educate motorists” as drivers who travel in the left lane create traffic obstructions. “People are just not aware they need to be in the right-hand lane unless passing,” State Police Lieutenant Rob Davis said. State Police Sixth District Headquarters is planning an education and enforcement campaign after receiving numerous calls and online complaints about drivers in West Michigan using the left lane for regular travel, Davis said.

Mlive posted this video last year called “Left Lane Example” about the problems caused by left lane travelers last year.

Michigan’s statute MCL 257.634 covers Michigan’s freeway lane use, which states that, “the driver of a vehicle shall drive the vehicle in the extreme right-hand lane available for travel” with this exception: However, the driver of a vehicle may drive the vehicle in any lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the same direction of travel when the lanes are occupied by vehicles moving in substantially continuous lanes of traffic and in any left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the same direction of travel for a reasonable distance before making a left turn.    Additionally, MCL 257.676b prohibits a vehicle from impeding the flow of traffic.

If caught violating this section, the driver could be subject to a civil infraction. If stopped during this West Michigan initiative, you could get a lecture too: “Motorists stopped for a ‘lane use violation’ will be educated by the trooper on the law and how the motorist’s actions are disrupting traffic flow.”

To avoid a ticket and be safe, avoid “southpaw” driving!