I Was In An Accident With A Truck That Was Driving In The Left Lane. Can Trucks Drive In The Left Lane In Florida?
If you were in a Florida truck accident with a truck that was driving on the left lane on a highway, you might be wondering if trucks can drive on the left lane in Florida. So, can they? The Florida Department of Transportation enforces strict truck lane restrictions. For decades, regulations involving the left lane have been in place on I-95 and I-75. Truck drivers operating on these interstate highways are prohibited from driving in the far left lane.
Is There Anywhere in Florida Where Trucks Can Drive on the Left Lane?
Yes. In fact, trucks are allowed to drive in the left lane on most highways. The restriction applies only to interstate highways with six lanes. The regulation applies to interstate highways that primarily consist of rural interstate sections. The left lane restriction is removed for interstate highways that go through urban areas.
Are Tour Buses and Recreational Vehicles Considered Trucks?
According to FDOT, tour buses and RVs are not considered commercial trucks. Therefore, these vehicles can travel in the left lane on any highway.
Why Does Florida Have These Restrictions?
Truck lane restrictions exist as a safety measure. Specifically, when a truck is prohibited from traveling in the far left lane, it means the truck will not change lanes often. And when a truck is not changing lanes often, the chances of it being involved in an accident reduces.
If this restriction is a safety measure, you may be wondering why trucks are not prohibited from driving on the left lane on all highways. If this restriction is applied to areas where traffic is often entering or leaving the highway, it might interfere with the flow of traffic too much. And if traffic flow is disrupted too much, dangerous exchanges can occur.
What If I Was in an Accident With a Truck That Was Driving in the Left Lane?
A truck driver who violates the left lane restriction and injures or kills another person in an accident may be held liable and made to pay for damages. All drivers, including truck drivers, owe other road users a duty of care, which includes following the rules of the road.
If you sustained injuries in a Florida truck accident because of a truck driver that was driving in the left lane, reach out to an attorney for help.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you suffered injuries in a Florida truck accident and the truck was driving in the left lane on a highway with left lane restrictions, contact our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm. We can help you hold the truck driver liable and recover the compensation you deserve. Truck accident cases can be complex, so don’t risk handling your case on your own. Contact us today to discuss your case.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Tampa, Bradenton, Ocala, Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Daytona Beach areas.
Source:
fdot.gov/traffic/traf-incident/truck-lane-restrictions#:~:text=The%20current%20truck%20lane%20criterion,it%20specifically%20for%20automobile%20traffic
