New Jersey drivers are all too familiar with the following scenario. You’re driving to work on the Garden State Parkway passing people in the left lane doing about 75, maybe 80. You’re making great time and you’re about to beat the boss into the office for the first time since your first week on the job.
Then it happens. Traffic slows to about 55 and begins to backup. You can see up ahead the backup is being caused by one guy driving slow in the left lane, refusing to get out of the way.
More commonly known as left-lane D!ck, but for our G-rating here, we’re going to call him left-lane Larry.
Everyone hates Left Lane Larrys except for the obvious and disrespectful driver blocking traffic and causing delays.
Studies show Left Lane Larrys are the biggest cause of stress on a daily commute to work in New Jersey. Actually, they don’t but we know it’s probably a fact.
The bad thing is, we’re used to Left Lane Larrys in the summer, since most cars with New York license plates fall into that category between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
But, what gives? Summer is over and for five days in a row, I have been stuck behind these people on the Garden State Parkway.
Driving slow in the left lane in New Jersey is actually against the law.
Drivers who linger in the left lane now face harsher penalties in New Jersey due to recent updates to state law.
Under NJ Rev Stat § 39:4-82, New Jersey motorists are required to stay in the right lane unless they are passing another vehicle or making a left turn. The law aims to reduce road hazards caused by “left lane hogs,” who create dangerous conditions by impeding the flow of traffic.
New sanctions under NJ Rev Stat § 39:4-88.1 indicate that failure to keep right can result in fines ranging from $100 to $300, a significant increase from previous penalties.
The statute was updated to encourage safer driving habits and reduce traffic congestion. A surcharge of $50 will be added to all failure-to-keep-right tickets. This additional fee will fund the installation and maintenance of road signs educating drivers on the importance of keeping to the right lane.
Drivers who fail to adhere to the law will also receive two points on their driving record, further emphasizing the importance of responsible driving behavior.