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S 1340

RULES OF THE ROAD – Amends existing law to require drivers to drive in the right-hand lane on multilane highways unless passing and to provide penalties for driving in the left-hand lane of a controlled access highway and impeding the flow of traffic.

68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

Idaho bill requires drivers to stay in right lanes on multilane highways except when passing, imposing penalties for left-lane driving that impedes traffic flow.

Amendments ordered printed; referred for engrossment
#highways #motorvehicles #rules #transportation
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Bill Summary · S 1340

Legislative bill overview

S 1340 amends Idaho highway traffic law to mandate that drivers use right-hand lanes on multilane highways except when actively passing other vehicles. The bill establishes penalties for drivers who occupy left lanes while impeding traffic flow on controlled access highways.

Why is this important

Left-lane camping is a safety and traffic efficiency issue that affects highway operations and can contribute to congestion and accident risks. This legislation attempts to standardize driving behavior and enforce existing traffic principles through explicit statutory language and penalties, potentially improving highway safety and flow across Idaho's controlled access routes.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement discretion: Police officers must subjectively determine when a driver is "impeding traffic flow," creating inconsistent enforcement and potential for discriminatory application based on speed perception
  • Speed-related conflicts: Drivers lawfully traveling slower speeds in left lanes may face penalties even if they believe they're not impeding traffic, particularly if speed limit interpretations vary
  • Practical implementation challenges: Determining intent and measuring actual traffic impediment is difficult without objective metrics, potentially leading to frivolous traffic stops and citations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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