The state will take matters into their own hands when it comes to drivers camping in the left lane. Normally used by cars going at the speed limit, but still faster than the average daily driver, going slow in this lane can cause an accident and harm others – in a hypothetical two-vehicle situation. Due to the speed, sometimes the driver in the left lane cannot slow down and opt for passing in the right lane, but this even led an NFL wide receiver to crash a Lamborghini not long ago.
The risk of camping in the left lane
In some areas, this type of driving is not allowed. Not every place is the Autobahn in Germany, which in some areas has no speed limit – cars just race until the next spot where radar is. After the season ended, the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice faced legal consequences due to a chain-reaction crash he caused when he cut inside the lane in Dallas, Texas. He could have been in the left lane, but instead, he cut inside with other cars.
As this type of maneuver is a risk to any driver in the highways, the left lane should be always available for those who need to pass, but still inside the speed limit. With that in mind, Connecticut, one of the states promoting changes in the DMV system, is now fining those who are camping in the left lane.
Connecticut is not allowing cars to “sit” in the lane.
Connecticut is tightening up the rules when it comes to drivers who sit in the left lane for no reason with the – also known as “left lane camping” – according to the Senate Bill 1375 in the Connecticut General Assembly. If you’re cruising in the left lane on a multi-lane highway, and you’re not passing, dodging something, following police directions, or about to exit, you’re doing it wrong. That kind of driving – just hanging out in the fast lane – has always been frowned upon. It’s technically been illegal for a while, but the state is now clearing up the wording in the law to make enforcement and education easier.
According to Josh Morgan, a spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the real goal isn’t to hand out a bunch of tickets. It’s about making the rule clearer, so the state can finally put up proper signs and help people understand how the lane is supposed to be used. With the updated language, new signs will go up, and drivers will have fewer excuses.
Fine for “camping” in Connecticut highways
Anyone caught “camping” in the left lane can now be fined $142 per violation. And no, driving the speed limit does not give you a free pass. You are still expected to move over if traffic is flowing faster behind you – that’s what the left lane is for. Just because you’re not speeding does not mean you’re not in the way.
This “no-camping” changes applies to all multi-lane highways in the state – whether it’s a two-lane road like the Merritt Parkway or a bigger one like I-95 or I-91. If it’s not safe to move over, or if you’re actively passing or about to exit, you’re in the clear.
The state is also pushing for digital innovation
At least 16 states in the U.S. have started offering digital driver’s licenses, letting residents carry a valid ID right on their phones or smartwatches. With Apple Wallet, both iPhone and Apple Watch users can now present their digital license at certain TSA checkpoints and participating businesses, according to Apple Support. The system uses Face ID or Touch ID for security, and all data is encrypted.
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