Traffic laws regarding “keeping right” are designed to facilitate traffic flow, improve safety, and reduce congestion on our nation’s highways. While the specifics vary by state, the general principle remains consistent: slower-moving vehicles should keep to the right lanes, allowing faster traffic to pass on the left.
The Problem with Left Lane Camping
Left lane camping (or “highway camping”) occurs when drivers remain in the left lane rather than using it solely for passing. This practice can:
- Cause traffic congestion
- Lead to dangerous passing on the right
- Trigger aggressive driving behaviors
- Increase accident risk
- Impede emergency vehicles
Studies by the Traffic Operations & Safety Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison indicate that cars moving slower than surrounding traffic, regardless of their absolute speed, pose a greater accident risk than those exceeding the speed limit. A vehicle traveling 5 MPH slower than traffic flow is actually more likely to cause an accident than one traveling 5 MPH faster.
Types of “Keep Right” Laws
States generally follow one of these approaches:
- Yield to faster traffic: Vehicles in the left lane must yield to faster approaching vehicles regardless of speed limit (most common)
- Passing only: Left lane strictly reserved for passing (strictest approach)
- Slower than normal traffic: Must keep right if traveling slower than the normal flow of traffic
- Slower than speed limit: Must keep right only if traveling below the speed limit
Summary of State Laws
| Law Type | Number of States | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Yield laws | 29 states | Vehicles must keep right if traveling slower than surrounding traffic |
| Passing only | 11 states | Left lane only for passing or turning left |
| Minimum speed | 5 states | Left lane permitted if driving at speed limit |
| No restrictions | 5 states | No specific restrictions on left lane use |
State-by-State Breakdown
Alabama
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Vehicles proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic must be driven in the right lane.
- Citation: Ala. Stat. § 32-5A-80; § 32-5A-82
Alaska
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Vehicles proceeding slower than the maximum authorized speed must be driven in the right-hand lane.
- Citation: 13 Alaska ADC § 02.050(b); Alaska Stat. § 28.35.140
Arizona
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Vehicles proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic must be driven in the right lane.
- Citation: A.R.S § 28-721(b); § 28-723
Arkansas
- Law Type: Left lane restrictions
- Details: Motor vehicles shall not be operated continuously in the left lane when it impedes traffic flow. Vehicles must leave the left lane to let faster traffic pass.
- Citation: A.C.A. § 27-51-301; § 27-51-306
California
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Vehicles proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic must be driven in the right lane. This applies “notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits.”
- Citation: Cal. Vehicle Code § 21650; § 21654(a); § 21753
Colorado
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: The left lane is reserved for passing where the speed limit is 65 MPH or faster. Illegal to drive in the left lane unless passing another vehicle or traffic conditions require it.
- Citation: C.R.S. § 42-4-1001(2); § 42-4-1013
Connecticut
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic shall be driven in the right-hand lane.
- Citation: C.G.S.A. § 14-230(a) and (b)
Delaware
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Vehicles proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic shall be driven in the right lane.
- Citation: 21 Del. C. § 4114(a) and (b); § 4116
Florida
- Law Type: Must yield to faster traffic
- Details: Slower vehicles in left lane must yield to faster vehicles.
- Citation: F.S.A. § 316.081(1), (2), and (3)
Georgia
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Slower vehicles in left lane must yield to faster vehicles. No person shall drive a vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede traffic.
- Citation: O.C.G.A. § 40-6-40(a) and (b); § 40-6-184; § 40-6-52
Hawaii
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic must be driven in the right-hand lane.
- Citation: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291C-41(a) and (b); § 291C-43
Idaho
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Any vehicle proceeding at less than normal speed of traffic must be driven in the right lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or preparing for a left-hand turn.
- Citation: Idaho Code § 49-630(1) and (2); § 49-632
Illinois
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: Upon an interstate highway, a vehicle may not be driven in the left lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle.
- Citation: 625 I.L.C.S. § 5/11-701(a) and (d)
Indiana
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: A vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic 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.
- Citation: I.C. § 9-21-8-2(a) and (b); § 9-21-5-9; § 9-21-8-12
Iowa
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Vehicles proceeding at slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: I.C.A. § 321.297(1) and (2)
Kansas
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Any vehicle proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must travel in the right lane.
- Citation: K.S.A. § 8-1522; § 8-1514
Kentucky
- Law Type: Left lane restrictions
- Details: Vehicles shall not be driven in the left lane of any limited access highway of four lanes or more with a posted speed limit of at least 65 MPH, except in overtaking a slower vehicle, yielding to traffic coming on to such a highway, or when traffic conditions exist which would prohibit safe use of the right or center lanes.
- Citation: K.R.S. § 189.300; § 189.340(7)
Louisiana
- Law Type: Left lane restrictions
- Details: When traveling on multi-lane highways, no vehicle being driven in the left lane except when directed otherwise or preparing for a left turn shall impede any other vehicle that is traveling in the same lane and behind that vehicle.
- Citation: La. R.S. § 32:71; § 32:73
Maine
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Where the speed limit is at least 65 MPH, motorists must keep right except to pass.
- Citation: 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2053(2); § 2052(6); § 2070
Maryland
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Any vehicle going 10 MPH or more below the applicable maximum speed limit must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: Md. Code Transp. § 21-301; § 21-303
Massachusetts
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: All vehicles must stay to the right except when passing or turning left.
- Citation: M.G.L.A. 89 § 4B; § 2; § 4C
Michigan
- Law Type: Left lane restrictions
- Details: The driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal.
- Citation: M.C.L.A. § 257.634; § 257.637
Minnesota
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane.
- Citation: M.S.A. § 169.18(1) and (10)
Mississippi
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic shall be driven in the right-hand lane.
- Citation: M.C.A. § 63-3-601; § 63-3-603
Missouri
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Vehicles proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 304.015 1, 5(3), 5(6), 7-9; § 304.016 1
Montana
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: A motor vehicle may not be driven at a speed slow enough to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.
- Citation: Mont. Code Ann. § 61-8-321; § 61-8-311(1)
Nebraska
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: Drivers proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,131; § 60-6, 133
Nevada
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Slow moving vehicles must travel in the right lane if impeding traffic.
- Citation: N.R.S. § 484B.200; § 484B.627; § 484B.207
New Hampshire
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: Any vehicle proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann § 265:16
New Jersey
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: No person shall drive a vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
- Citation: N.J.S.A. § 39:4-82; § 39:4-88; § 39:4-88(e); § 39:4-97.1; § 39:4-85
New Mexico
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: Vehicles proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: N.M.S.A. § 66-7-308; § 66-7-310
New York
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: Vehicles proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 1120; § 1122
North Carolina
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: On all highways, vehicles proceeding below the speed limit must be in the right lane.
- Citation: N.C.G.S.A. § 20-146(a), (b)
North Dakota
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: Any vehicle proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: N.D.C.C. § 39-10-08(a), (b); § 39-10-11
Ohio
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Vehicles proceeding slower than the speed limit must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 4511.25; § 4511.27
Oklahoma
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: Vehicles proceeding slower than the speed limit must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: 47 Okla. Stat. Ann. § 11-301(a), (b); § 11-309
Oregon
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: Vehicles proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: O.R.S. § 811.295; § 811.315; § 811.410; § 811.325
Pennsylvania
- Law Type: Left lane for passing
- Details: The left lane may be used for passing, traveling at a speed greater than the traffic flow, when moving left to allow traffic to merge, and preparing for a left turn.
- Citation: 75 P.S. § 3301(a), (b); § 3313(d)(2); § 3303
Rhode Island
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: Drivers proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: R.I.G.L. § 31-15-1; § 31-15-2; § 31-15-4
South Carolina
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: Drivers proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1810; § 56-5-1840
South Dakota
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Drivers proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: S.D.C.L. § 32-26-1
Tennessee
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: Drivers proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: T.C.A. § 55-8-115; § 55-8-117
Texas
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: Drivers proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: Tex. Transp. Code § 545.001; § 545.051; § 545.053
Utah
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Drivers proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane. Slower vehicles traveling in the left lane must move right to let faster traffic past.
- Citation: U.C.A. § 41-6a-701; § 41-6a-704(2)(b); § 41-6a-702
Vermont
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: Drivers proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 23 § 1031(a),(b); § 1033
Virginia
- Law Type: Slower traffic keep right
- Details: Drivers proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane. Slower moving vehicles traveling in the left lane must yield to faster traffic.
- Citation: Va. St. § 46.2-802; § 46.2-804; § 46.2-842; § 46.2-803.1; § 46.2-842.1
Washington
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: The law states: “It is a traffic infraction to drive continuously in the left lane of a multi-lane roadway when it impedes the flow of other traffic.”
- Citation: R.C.W.A. § 46.61.100; § 46.61.110
West Virginia
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: It is a traffic infraction to drive continuously in the left lane of a multi-lane roadway when it impedes the flow of other traffic.
- Citation: W. Va. St. § 17C-7-1
Wisconsin
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: Drivers proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane.
- Citation: Wis. Stat. § 346.05(3)
Wyoming
- Law Type: Left lane for passing only
- Details: On all roadways except one-way streets, any vehicle proceeding slower than the normal speed of traffic must drive in the right lane. No person shall operate a vehicle in the extreme left-hand lane of a controlled-access highway for a prolonged period in a manner which impedes the flow of other traffic traveling at a lawful rate of speed.
- Citation: Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-201; § 31-5-304(c); § 31-5-203
Enforcement and Penalties
Enforcement of “Keep Right” laws varies significantly by state. Some states, like Washington, Texas, and Ohio, have implemented aggressive ticketing programs for violators. Penalties typically range from:
- Fines ($25-$250)
- Points on driving record
- Possible license suspension for repeat offenders
Legal Implications
Beyond traffic tickets, violating a “Keep Right” law can have more serious legal consequences:
- Negligence per se: Violating the statute may automatically establish negligence in accident cases
- Liability in accidents: Could be found partially responsible for accidents caused by passing vehicles
- Increased insurance rates: Traffic violations can lead to higher premiums
Conclusion
Understanding and following your state’s “Keep Right” laws is not just about avoiding tickets—it’s about contributing to safer, more efficient highways for everyone. While specific rules vary by state, the general principle remains consistent: the left lane is primarily for passing, and slower traffic should keep right regardless of speed limit.
