DPS to crack down on drivers hogging left lane

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Local law enforcement agencies on Wednesday plan to crack down on drivers who meander along in the left lane, officials said.

Unless you're passing another vehicle or turning left, driving in the left lane of multi-lane roadways is against Texas law.

The statute is relatively unknown and is rarely enforced, so Wednesday's special enforcement effort is designed to help spread the word, officials said.

Violators not only block the smooth flow of traffic but also create a dangerous situation as traffic builds around them.

"That's the lane ambulances use, and when you put a slower car into it, that can lead to crashes," said Sgt. Gordon Schneid-er with the Department of Public Safety.

DPS troopers in Montgomery and Fort Bend counties and the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office are the lead agencies.

The all-day enforcement will take place in Montgomery, Fort Bend, Waller and parts of Harris County, according to a news release from the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

Troopers will issue warnings or tickets if they see violators driving in the left lane, the release said.

"We've had a rash of road-rage incidents based on somebody driving in the left lane well below the speed limit," Schneid-er said.

A violation is a Class C misdemeanor, similar to a speeding ticket, Schneider said.

The maximum penalty is a $500 fine, with no jail time, Schneider said.

The sergeant said he expects troopers to be busy Wednesday but not necessarily writing a lot of tickets.

"It's more about putting the word out," he said. "If we stop you and you tell 10 other friends, that's what we want."