Oklahoma House of Representatives
Media Division
January 21, 2004

OKLAHOMA CITY - A metropolitan legislator wants to make driving safer and alleviate road rage at highway repair sites by filing a measure that would create a traffic merge law in Oklahoma.

House Bill 2159 by Rep. Wayne Pettigrew also would prohibit motorists from "hogging" the left lane of a highway that has four or more traffic lanes.

"Unlike Arkansas, the Sooner State has no 'failure to merge' law," said Rep. Wayne Pettigrew. "It is not against the law to merge vehicles anywhere before a traffic lane is closed for repair or maintenance." The Edmond Republican said that while traveling Interstate 35 en route to OU football games, he noticed numerous motorists merging at the last minute while approaching construction zones and the safety hazards it posed.

Pettigrew wants warning signs posted on any multi-lane highway, directing a gradual merge to another lane of traffic prior to highway construction or maintenance zones.

Anyone caught merging within 1,500 feet of highway repairs would be guilty of a misdemeanor offense. A convicted motorist could be fined $100 to $1,000 and spend up to 30 days in the county jail.

"We've all gotten upset at people who wait until the last minute to change lanes prior to a construction zone," Pettigrew said. "It is dangerous to suddenly cut into another lane of traffic, which can cause a massive traffic jam or accident. A new law that provides a fine and possible jail time would take care of that situation."

HB 2159 also would return the left traffic lane of a four-lane highway to a passing lane, other than preparing for a left turn from the highway at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway.

The left lane would be used only as a passing lane to overtake another vehicle; the driver would then return to the right lane as soon as practicable. Slower-moving traffic also would be directed to stay in the right lane.

"I'm trying to return the law to its original intent to use the left lane for passing only, so that people don't continually drive in the left-hand lane," Pettigrew said. "No matter what speed you're driving, motorists should stay in the right lane, except to pass another vehicle or make a left turn."

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Scott Hancock
Media Specialist
Oklahoma House of Representatives
1-800-522-8502 ext 422  ¶ 6:44 AM