New Indiana Driving Law: Could you get a ticket for obeying the speed limit?

Mario Massillamany- partner at Massillamany & Jeter LLP

A new law recently passed during this last Indiana General Assembly could result in drivers who are obeying the speed limit getting ticketed and needing a criminal law attorney. Under this new rule, drivers in the left lane who fail to get over when they know or reasonably should know that a vehicle will overtake them could receive a ticket for $500.

The representative who sponsored the bill, Jud McMillin, has said that he wanted to incentivize slow drivers in the left lane to get out of the way of the faster drivers. However, many comments concerning the law mention the fact that police officers would be much more likely to pull over the driver speeding than the one who is going the speed limit in the left lane. For example, if one driver is going the speed limit at 55 mph and another driver is behind the car in the left lane going 75 mph, then there is a good chance that an officer would pull over the faster driver for speeding. On the other hand, if all the officer sees is a car riding very close to the one in front of it, then the officer would be able to pull over the car in front for violating this new law and allow the car behind it to continue speeding. For example, if a police officer sees two cars driving in the left lane both of which are going the speed limit, it is possible that the officer would pull over the car in the front because it is blocking the other driver from going faster in the so-called highway fast lane.

In addition, there are a number of exceptions to the rule that will lessen its impact. This law does not apply when there is congestion or other traffic conditions that make it necessary to operate a vehicle in the left lane nor does it apply when there is inclement weather or other obstructions. Also, it does not apply when compliance with another law or regulation makes it necessary to drive in the left lane. It does not apply when exiting the roadway or when paying a toll either. Lastly, it does not apply to authorized emergency vehicles or to vehicles operated in the course of highway maintenance or construction, but this exception does not affect many vehicles.

Nonetheless, this law is on the books and will come into effect on July 1, so if you are driving in the left lane be aware of the vehicles that might cause you to be in violation of the law and potentially cause you to receive a $500 ticket for obeying the speed limit.

If you have received a traffic ticket in Indiana and need competent criminal law attorney to assist you with the many pitfalls of defending a traffic violation call Massillamany & JeterLLP at (317) 432-3443 today for a free, initial consultation to help you better understand your rights.

Mario Massillamany is a founding partner of Massillamany & Jeter LLP, a full-service law firm serving central Indiana. For more information on this topic, please contact Mr. Massillamany at (317) 432-3443 or by e-mail at: mario@mjattorneys.com.

This article is not intended to serve as legal advice. Should you have questions about this topic, you should consult with a licensed lawyer.