IL - State police write tickets for left-lane lollygaggers

[StlouisX50]

State police write tickets for left-lane lollygaggers
By Mike Riopell
mike.riopell@lee.net
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SPRINGFIELD -- Interstate travelers often slow down because they're scared of being caught speeding by lurking Illinois state troopers.

But they also should be careful that their pokey driving doesn't hold up urgent traffic in the left lane. That's illegal, too.

State police have cited 289 drivers holding up left-lane traffic on interstates since it became illegal in 2004, according to state police. They gave tickets to 100 left-lane lollygaggers last year.

State law says drivers can only use the left lane for passing. That is, unless a circumstance like bad weather, congestion or other road conditions make driving in the right lane unrealistic.

Illinois State Police spokesman Rick Hector says it's a simple judgment call for troopers to decide when slow drivers clogging the fast lane should get tickets.

"If you can get over, and you don't, you're violating the law," he said. "Most of the time, it's pretty blatant."

Hector said motorists may have forgotten it's illegal. After all, many focus on avoiding speeding tickets, not rebukes for going too slow.

He said officers have discretion to give warnings instead of tickets, but not knowing the law won't necessarily get scofflaws out of a fine.

State Sen. Dan Rutherford sponsored the left lane law in the state legislature in 2003. He said not leaving the lane open could delay emergency vehicles.

But some voiced resistance to the idea, saying that someone driving the speed limit in the left lane shouldn't be forced to move for a speeder. Still, Rutherford said it's safest just to move over.

"It's not your job to be the enforcer of the law," the Chenoa Republican said.

But he didn't have an opinion on whether 100 tickets last year was too many or too few.

"The intent was never to find people to give tickets," he said.

[GTO_04]

It's about time! I wish they would do that in Indiana!

GTO_04

[Robert46123]

The problem does often occur when someone gets the mindset that they aren't going to let you speed. This causes a much more dangerous situation then simply speeding. It's a good possibility that someone who is trying to hold off speeders is already pissed when driving. Add fuel to the fire when the other is desperately trying to get around said twit.

I actually think that in most states they have a law forbidding driving in the LL when not passing, but it's not widely enforced. My hat's off to ISP for enforcing it.

[stealthJamal]

That's a good law to have. We have the same law in Virginia, but unfortunately it is rarely enforced here.

[GTO_04]

A similar law passed the Florida legislature. But it was vetoed by Jeb because he was afraid that "little old ladies would be getting traffic tickets" because of it. :shock:

GTO_04

[proudNMAmember]

This law can help traffic to keep flowing smoothly w/ out any interuptions. Happy w/ that law.

[bunny]

This would be perfect on 101 in californa, and probably a lot of areas of Oregon state. Here on 101 it is a two lane freeway and literally in both lanes two cars will line up going 45mph for 30+ miles causing major congestion. I've had to go around on the side outside of both lanes before. I've also had some interesting road rage issues when I do manage to get around people like that.