S 2615Roads & Highways

Motor and Other Vehicles - Passing, Use of Lanes, and Rules of the Road

This bill makes it illegal to drive in the far-left lane on highways unless you are passing another vehicle.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Feb 13, 2026Committee Senate Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends Rhode Island traffic laws regarding driving on multi-lane highways. It explicitly mandates that on limited access highways with multiple lanes, the far-left lane is reserved exclusively for passing slower vehicles. Drivers are prohibited from occupying this left lane for general travel; they may only use it when actively overtaking another vehicle. Violating this rule is subject to fines. The bill maintains existing requirements for slow traffic to stay to the right on other types of roadways.

For younger readers

This bill changes the rules for driving on big highways. It says that the lane on the far left side is only for passing other cars. If a driver is not going around a slower car, they are not allowed to stay in that left lane. This is meant to keep traffic moving smoothly. If a driver stays in the passing lane without passing anyone, they could get a ticket and have to pay a fine.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

DriversCommutersTruck DriversLaw EnforcementTourists

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

Amount unknown

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Improves general road safety and community welfare by reducing the likelihood of road rage incidents and erratic driving caused by lane blocking.
May slightly reduce environmental impact by decreasing traffic congestion and vehicle idling time through improved highway efficiency.
Aligns state traffic patterns with neighboring states, creating a more predictable and safer environment for all travelers.
Creates an additional pretext for police stops, which historically and disproportionately target minority drivers and marginalized communities.
Imposes monetary fines that serve as a regressive penalty, impacting low-income drivers significantly more than wealthy drivers for a non-violent offense.
Increases interactions between citizens and law enforcement for minor administrative infractions, potentially escalating into more serious conflicts.

For Conservatives

Promotes order and efficiency on public roadways by ensuring traffic flows smoothly and faster drivers are not impeded by slower vehicles.
Encourages personal responsibility and proper driving etiquette, rewarding disciplined drivers and penalizing those who obstruct others.
Improves infrastructure utility without requiring tax dollars for road expansion, maximizing the value of existing highways.
Restricts individual freedom of movement by dictating exactly which lane a driver may occupy on a public road.
Expands the power of the state to levy fines and generate revenue from citizens for behavior that does not directly damage property or injure others.
Increases government micromanagement of daily activities, adding another layer of regulation to the lives of law-abiding citizens.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 5 additions

SECTION 1. Section 31-15-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-15 entitled "Passing, Use of Lanes, and Rules of the Road" is hereby amended to read as follows: 31-15-2. Slow traffic to right.

(a) Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

(b) On any multi-lane, limited access highway, the extreme left-hand lane shall be reserved for passing slower vehicles only, and occupation of that lane when not passing shall be a violation of this section and subject to the fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.