The Garden City Telegram
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Moving over
Published 7/2/2009 in Commentary : Editorial
Motorists know the frustration.
They're traveling on a multilane highway looking to pass and, much to their chagrin, they come upon a driver hanging in the left lane and bottling up the flow of traffic.
As of Wednesday, the annoying acts of left-lane hogs became illegal under Kansas' new Right Lane Law.
On highways divided into two or more lanes moving in the same direction outside city limits, vehicles now may not travel in the left lane except in the following situations — passing another vehicle; preparing to make a proper left turn; being sent to the left lane by traffic-control devices; or being required to be in that lane for reasons such as stopped emergency or maintenance vehicles.
Another change on Kansas roadways has come with the new Move It Law that requires drivers of vehicles involved in noninjury crashes on highways or any divided or multilane roadways to move their vehicles from the lane of traffic. It's a needed way to keep drivers and passengers safe by getting them out of the way of oncoming traffic.
Too often, motorists would rather await law enforcement officers before moving vehicles involved in a crash, not thinking that staying put could lead to even worse accidents.
Traffic-related legislation always is written with safety in mind.
That said, it's not as if the two new laws addressed the most pressing or important areas of concern on the road today. Cracking down on cell phone use and other distractions that pose more of a threat than those who drag their feet in the left lane would have been more of an accomplishment.
Still, the new laws promise to improve travel conditions in Kansas. Convenience for motorists no doubt was a factor in adding rules that should make driving on Kansas highways somewhat less stressful by improving the flow of traffic.
Violators of both new laws can expect warnings the first year. After that they'll face a $60 citation.
The Fourth of July weekend will be a good time to put the new rules to the test, as law enforcement officers always are on alert during busy holiday travel times.
Keep it in mind, and drive carefully.
On the Web:
Kansas Highway Patrol: http://www.kansashighwaypatrol.org/
What do you think of the new driving laws? Talk about it at SWKTalk.com.
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