NJ’s Left Lane Crackdown: Why Driving Too Slow in the Fast Lane Might Get You Fined
NJ drivers, be careful—staying in the left lane too long could cost you more than just frustrated honks.
When you drive too slowly in the fast lane in New Jersey, you could get a ticket.
If you’ve ever been driving down a New Jersey highway and been annoyed by someone taking up the left lane, you’re not the only one. The law is on your side.
A rule that not many people know about is just as important as speeding when it comes to driving in the Garden State. Not only is it annoying to drive slowly in the left lane, but it’s also against the law. It is clear from New Jersey law that the left lane is only for passing. People expect you to move back to the right if you’re not passing another car.
The New Jersey State Police recently used social media to warn drivers of this rule. They said that using the left lane without permission is not only inconvenient, but it also causes dangerous traffic jams and makes people angry on the road. “If you’re not passing, move over—it’s safer for everyone,” they said in a post on June 5 that brought up the issue again.
This rule aims to reduce crashes and traffic. Drive in the left lane only when necessary. Emergency vehicles can pass, and passengers won’t have to slow down for no cause, which can make them irritated or irresponsible.
What Does the Law Really Say?
In New Jersey, cars must stay in the lane closest to the right side of the road when it’s safe and clear to do so, unless they’re going fast or getting ready to turn left. Drivers must only go left when it is safe to do so.
If you break this rule and get caught, you could get a $50 to $200 fine. That’s not all. Repeat criminals may also get points on their license. If they get too many points, their license could be taken away.
Not Only an Eyesore, It’s Dangerous
Lawyers at Mattiaci Law and other law firms say that drivers who use the left lane incorrectly can make the roads busier and more stressful. People who drive quickly say that the passing-only rule makes the roads work better because drivers don’t have to weave through other cars.
The next time you want to coast in the left lane, think again. It’s polite, safe, fast, and the rule to do so. Stay on the right side of the road and use the left side to pass.
This report is based on official New Jersey traffic laws and what the New Jersey State Police and legal experts have said to make sure it is correct and raise knowledge about public safety.