Is it illegal to drive the speed limit in the left lane on the freeway in WI?

Question

I know in some states it is illegal to driving in the left lane when not passing. Although I cant seem to find anything in WI law that says it is illegal to drive the speed limit. I know slower traffic must keep right but Isn't the speed limit the speed limit? If driving in the left lane at the speed limit (or over) and someones right on your bumper are you required to move out of their way? It would seem that the person behind you would get pulled over for tailgating or following too closely. I just want to settle an argument between a few people and myself. There seems to be a lot of opinions on the matter but i cant find anything in the law books about this.

Answer 1

Wisconsin has the same LAW as California, probably every other State:



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346.05 RULES OF THE ROAD

(3) Any vehicle proceeding upon a roadway 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 ...

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This is NOT *opinion* -- it is the THE LAW!! If you are traveling less than the *normal speed of traffic* you are legally required to move over to the right. I does not matter if you are running at 10 mph *above* the "speed limit" -- if someone is going faster then *they* are the normal speed and you are going too slow to be in the left lane.

Answer 2

Why would you want to do this? The left lane on a divided highway with exits is supposed to be for passing only ... why would you be passing other traffic at below the speed limit? I drive at the speed limit (or at a reasonable speed during bad weather) in the right lane. If you are in the left lane, doing under the limit you must be 1) Preparing to make a left turn, 2) traveling faster than cars in the right lane (is your speed reasonable considering conditions). or 3) Clinically insane! In some states driving in the left lane for extended distances without cause is illegal (these are the smart states!). Leave the "suicide lane" alone unless you are passing slower traffic, making a legal left turn, or traveling in a marked police unit! Trying to regulate the flow of traffic by creating a "moving roadblock" just pisses people off. Drive your own car, let those who want to travel faster than the speed limit or above what you consider to be a reasonable speed have the left lane! It's far safer for everyone if the drivers you consider "speed demons" don't have to weave from lane to lane to avoid slower traffic.

Answer 3

Wisconsin and Minnesota follow the Uniform Vehicle Code, which says a car driving below the "normal speed of traffic" (nothing to do with speed limit) should be driven in the right-hand lane. Because it indicates "normal speed" instead of saying "speed limit" a driver going above the speed limit but slower than most traffic is still in the wrong.

Answer 4

Yes it is. Here is the link about Wisconsin's speed laws on a divided highway. The section you're talking about says:



http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/enforce/speedlaws501/toc/wispeed.pdf



I. No person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed so slow as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. '346.59(1)

II. A person, driving at less than the normal speed of traffic, shall drive in the right-hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. '346.05(3)



And to answer your question about the "speed limit"...yes, the states have set speed limits for highway safety. However, it is up to the police agencies in any state to enforce those speed limits, and decide what is a "reasonable" speed to travel, not you! There was a guy in our state who decided he was tired of all the "speeders" passing him. He moved to the left lane and got beside an 18 wheeler and proceeded to block the vehicles behind his car. This went on for several miles. The 18 wheeler sped up so people could get around this guy on the right. He sped up also. Well, it just so happened that the guy two cars back was an off duty sheriff! he radioed for a highway trooper for assistance. Several miles down the road, the trooper showed up and got behind the car impeding the flow of traffic. The off duty sheriff pulled off with the trooper and explained what he had witnessed. The guy was issued a citation for about $225 for "Impeding" traffic flow, and here's the kicker...he was also fined $500 for "Reckless Operation" for the accident he could have caused by running beside the 18 wheeler and forcing motorists to try and pass on the right! Maybe it was worth the $725 to this guy to try and prove his point of view on speeding!

Answer 5

It became a legal issue in Arizona about 30 years ago. A Highway Patrol officer with his lights on was being impeded by a driver traveling the speed limit in the left lane of the freeway. As the incident unfolded it went to the courts which decided that regardless of the posted speed limit it was required for slower traffic keep right (which was already a law).

Answer 6

The law is quite clear. The posted speed limit is NEVER supposed to be exceeded except by emergency vehicles with their lights on. I don't care if a cop wants to issue me a ticket for "speeding" while going the posted limit. It's called a "limit" for a reason. Within the letter of the law, there is no exception for "I wanted to go faster than everyone else" or "I was running late". You MIGHT get by in saying "My pregnant wife's water just broke". The fact of the matter is: even cops and former cops on these threads that post how everyone is supposed to get out of their way know a very simple thing: Park a cop on the side of the road with a radar gun and watch everyone in EVERY lane slow to the posted limit. Why does this miracle happen? Because both the cops and the excessive speeders who feel the law doesn't apply to them or that the left lane is the audobon know one thing: everyone slows to the speed limit because they all know that the posted speed limit is the law regardless of WHAT lane you are in and under ANY condition.

Answer 7

It is illegal to drive above the speed limit, period. (Although there are exceptions for emergency situations and such.) In some places, the leftmost lane is only for passing, and in others it is a normal lane that can be used by traffic. But in either case, the speed limit is the speed limit. You are never required to move out of the way to let someone through.

Answer 8

Simple answer is yes. You must move over to the right hand lane since it is illegal to pass on the right of another vehicle. 346.08  When overtaking and passing on the right.

As a highway worker in Wisconsin that puts up the SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT sign, Wisconsin law 346.05(3) (3) Any vehicle proceeding upon a roadway 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 then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn or U-turn at an intersection or a left turn into a private road or driveway, and except as provided in s. 346.072. In this section, "emergency or roadside service vehicle" (a) An authorized emergency vehicle giving visual signal.



(b) A tow truck flashing red lamps, as required by s. 347.26 (6) (b).



(c) Any road machinery or motor vehicle used in highway construction or maintenance displaying the lights specified in s. 347.23 (1) (a) or (b) or, with respect to a motor vehicle, displaying the lights specified in s. 347.26 (7).



In Texas New law requires "left lane for passing" signs



A law passed during the last legislative session requires that the Texas Department of Transportation put up signs that say "Left Lane for Passing Only" whenever the department needs to replace signs that say "Slower Traffic Keep Right."

Answer 9

Unless you're impeding an emergency vehicle closing on you (with lights flashing), you refuse to get over for a police officer or road worker stationed on the left shoulder, or if road conditions make it dangerous to drive 65mph in a 65mph zone, you wouldn't have to worry about it...



The impeding traffic law applies to motorists driving at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic. Traffic can't "reasonably" drive over the speed limit by definition because breaking the speed limit is illegal and therefore not "reasonable". I seriously doubt any court in Wisconsin or anywhere else is going to consider a driver driving 65mph in a 65mph zone as driving "at such a slow speed to impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic".



Can a grumpy officer stuck in a long line of traffic behind you write you a ticket for driving 65mph in a 65mph zone while "impeding traffic"? Sure he or she can. Receiving a ticket doesn't automatically mean you're guilty of a crime though. The court system ultimately determines guilt or innocence, not the police. Unless you (stupidly) plead guilty by paying the fine listed on the ticket to avoid having to go to court etc., you would get your day in court to force the court to find you guilty of somehow impeding normal traffic by driving the maximum speed allowed by law.



It might be inconsiderate and extremely annoying to other drivers who want to drive faster than the posted speed limit, but it is it illegal? I doubt a court would find you guilty if it came to that.

Answer 10

Slower Traffic Keep Right Law

Answer 11

OK IF THE LEFT LANE IS FOR PASSING THEN WHAT IS THE TIME OR DISTANCE LIMIT ?? GUESS WHAT THERE IS NONE.IF YOU ARE PASSING EVERYONE IN THE RIGHT LANES THEN NOBODY SHOULD COMPLAIN BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY SHOULD PASS THE PASSING PEOPLE!

Answer 12

Look up "Impeding Traffic", and stay out of the left-hand lane unless you're passing.