When Is It Legal to Use the Left Lane in Colorado?

There are two types of people in the world...

Those that are normal, sane members of society and those that just sit in the left lane when there driving.

I don't know about you, but there is nothing more frustrating to me than when I am driving the speed limit (maybe two to three miles over even) and I see someone to my left just riding along with me in the other lane.

EXCUSE ME! THAT LANE IS MEANT FOR PASSING, NOT CRUSING!

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Why Left Lane Camping Is a Problem on Colorado Roads

It's become such a problem in some places that various states have actually made some sort of law pertaining to it.

I did some research and found details about how Colorado has responded to this issue on the roads.

Colorado Left Lane Laws and What You Should Know

There are multiple laws and ordinances on the books here in the Centennial State when it comes to people driving in the left lanes (C.R.S. § 42-4-1001(2) C.R.S. § 42-4-1013).

Let's take a bit of a driver's ED refresher course right now.

Understanding the Passing Lane vs. Non-Passing Lane in Colorado

The left lane can typically be referred to as the "passing lane" and the right lane is called the "non-passing lane."

Simple enough, right?

When Is It Legal to Use the Left Lane in Colorado?

According to reports, vehicles in Colorado must be driven in the right lane in most cases unless:

Passing another vehicle going in the same direction
Avoiding an obstruction in the right half of the road
Roadway is divided into three marked traffic lanes
Navigating a roadway that's restricted to one-way traffic

If a vehicle is going "less than the normal traffic" they must stay in the right lane.

Speed Limits and Left Lane Restrictions on Colorado Highways

Here in Colorado, the left lane can only be used for passing when the speed limit is 65 MPH or more.

Disregarding this is illegal out here unless, "passing other motor vehicles that are in a nonpassing lane or turning left, or unless the volume of traffic does not permit the motor vehicle to safely merge into a nonpassing lane."

Penalties for Improper Left Lane Use in Colorado

If you're caught violating this rule, then you could be facing a class A traffic infraction, according to Justia U.S. Law.

These sorts of infractions are considered civil, according to law experts.

This means there is no jail time attached to these violations. You might still have to deal with a $15 to $100 fine and some points on your license.

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