Denver, Colorado — State Senate leaders advanced SB100 this week, a measure that would prohibit large commercial trucks from traveling in the far‑left lane on Interstate 70 except when overtaking slower traffic.
The proposal arrives amid a wave of state‑level attempts to tighten left‑lane rules for big rigs. Truckers argue that the leftmost lane is already the fastest and most efficient path for long‑haul loads, while safety advocates claim that keeping trucks to the right reduces speed differentials and potential collisions.
Colorado’s bill joins Kentucky’s SB107, which targets three‑plus‑lane highways and carves out narrow exceptions for entering or exiting the roadway. Michigan’s HB5304 mirrors the effort by clarifying that heavy trucks may not occupy the far‑left lane on freeways, a clarification the Michigan Department of Transportation says it will not formally endorse. Senate support for Kentucky’s measure was unanimous, and Rep. William Bruck (R‑Erie) testified that the Michigan bill would let the DOT enforce right‑lane usage for heavy traffic. In Florida, Iowa and Oklahoma, lawmakers are debating broader language that would reserve the left lane for passing only, regardless of vehicle type.
What This Means for Drivers
CDL‑A holders operating OTR routes will need to monitor lane assignments more closely, especially on multi‑lane interstates where the leftmost lane is now off‑limits for trucks. Owner‑operators who rely on passing opportunities may face longer travel times if forced to stay in the right two lanes while waiting for a gap. Fleet managers must update routing software to flag prohibited lanes and train drivers on the new compliance requirements, or risk fines and citation spikes once the bills become law. The changes could also affect fuel efficiency, as trucks may travel at slightly lower speeds when constrained to inner lanes.
Industry Reaction
OOIDA’s director of state government affairs, Doug Morris, called the bills “arbitrary and capricious,” noting that data linking left‑lane truck presence to higher crash rates is thin. He warned that enforcement could become a nightmare for drivers already stretched thin by FMCSA regulations. Rep. Jenna Persons‑Mulicka (R‑Fort Myers) defended the Florida proposal, saying the intent is simply to keep the left lane for passing with sensible exceptions. Rep. Mike Klimesh (R‑Winneshiek) echoed that sentiment, describing the legislation as a tool to eliminate “left‑lane camping” and smooth traffic flow. The mixed response underscores a growing tension between safety rhetoric and operational reality for trucking companies.
Key Points
- Colorado SB100 would ban large trucks from the far‑left lane on I‑70 except for passing.
- Kentucky SB107 targets three‑lane highways, allowing trucks in the left lane only for specific maneuvers.
- Michigan HB5304 clarifies existing statutes to keep heavy vehicles out of the leftmost freeway lane.
- OOIDA argues the proposals lack statistical support and could create enforcement headaches for CDL‑A drivers.
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