When I was learning to drive, my dad would say, “Now, move over to the right lane to drive. The left lane is for passing." Dad’s advice was simply common courtesy and to help prevent the aggravation caused by left-lane drivers, driving side-by-side with a vehicle in the right lane, at the same speed on a 4 lane road, as traffic backs up. In 1984, the Oklahoma legislature codified Dad’s rule of common courtesy, in Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statues, Section 11-309.

In 1984, paragraph 3 of the section read:

Upon a roadway which is divided into four or more lanes, a vehicle proceeding at less than the maximum posted speed, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, shall not impede the normal flow of traffic by driving in the left lane. Such vehicle shall be driven in the right-hand lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

In response to those left-lane-drivers, continuing to drive in the left lane, smugly saying, “Well, I’m driving the speed limit”, the Oklahoma legislature recently amended the law, effective November 1 of this year. The law now reads, under paragraph 6:

Upon a roadway which is divided into four or more lanes, a vehicle shall be driven in the right-hand lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. Provided, however, this paragraph shall not prohibit driving in a lane other than the right-hand lane when traffic conditions or flow, or both, or road configuration, such as the potential of merging traffic, require the use of lanes other than the right-hand lane to maintain safe traffic conditions.

and eliminated the “a vehicle proceeding at less than maximum posted speed” condition. Now the law requires all vehicles to be driving in the right hand lane, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or if traffic conditions or flow requires the left lane.

Dad’s sound advice as to common courtesy is actually the law. Next time you pull up behind a left-lane driver, feel confident when you flash your lights to ask them to move over, that you are merely enforcing Oklahoma law.

Law Office of Todd A. Cone
PO Box 720
Nowata, OK 74048
918.273.2020
conelaw.com