Troopers conducting left lane emphasis until Friday

OLYMPIA — If you are a person who regularly drives in the left lane, troopers with Washington State Patrol are searching for you and a ticket might be headed your way this week.

WSP Chief John R. Batiste recently announced the WSP will be conducting a statewide emphasis through March 18 to bring awareness to the state’s left lane law. Last year troopers stopped more than 13,900 violators on the left lane law, despite the left lane’s designation to operate as a passing lane.

The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) states that on all roads with two or more lanes for traffic, all vehicles must be driven in the right hand lane.

“Except for overtaking and passing another vehicle in the same direction, when traveling at a speed greater than the traffic flow, when moving left to allow traffic to merge or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection, exit or into a private road or driveway when such left turn is legally permitted,” according to the Revised Code of Washington.

— Staff report