A new law enacted by the Louisiana Legislature this year limiting driving n the right lane on multi-lane highways went into effect in August and state police began actively enforcing the law Oct. 1.

Act 190 requires that drivers travel in the right lane except for the following conditions:

When preparing for a left turn; when passing another vehicle that’s moving in the same direction below the posted speed limit; when right-hand lanes are congested; when emergency vehicles are parked on or near the right shoulder and have the emergency lights activate and when directed otherwise by law enforcement.

Northbound traffic on U. S. Highway 190 is generally congested in all lanes, even in the middle of the day. Shown stopped at the light near Wal-Mart are a multitude of motorists waiting for the light to change. (Staff Photo by Debbie Glover)

Offenders can be hit with a hefty $100 fine or 30 days imprisonment or both.

Trooper Nick Manale, public information officer for Troop L, said the goal of the new law is to assist interstate traffic and to prevent people from having to pass traffic from the right lane.

He said that when a motorist travels below the speed limit in the left lane, particularly on the interstate, it could cause traffic congestion and force drivers to use the right lane to pass.

Manale said although the new law would apply to U. S. Highway 11 in Slidell and U.S. Highway 190 in Covington and Mandeville, the law would not normally be enforced because the congested roadways contain commercial establishments on both sides.

He said that the intention of the law is to help emergency vehicles and prevent congestion in the left lane. However, with businesses on both sides of some highways and motorists making left turns, traffic in the left lane would probably be justified under the above provisions.

Adding to enforcement problems on U. S. 190 is the bridge over the Bogue Falaya and downtown Covington where traffic going over the bridge has to proceed to other than the right lane. Other roadways in the parish narrow at times from two lanes to one.

In these cases, left-lane traffic prior to the removal of the lane would also be acceptable because it would allow a smooth transition to changing roadway conditions.