Anyone who’s driven anywhere in America knows how annoying left-lane campers are. But in recent years, states have taken more proactive approaches to reminding drivers about proper road etiquette, with some implementing laws specifically targeting left-lane hogs that slow the flow of traffic.
Another state has joined the list: Connecticut.
Connecticut’s legislature recently strengthened a law to prevent cars from camping in the left lane. Governor Ned Lamont signed the bill on June 23; however, it won’t become law until October 1, 2026. This will give the state a year to educate the public about the updated statute and the fines associated with it.
The law stipulates that anyone who violates the provision could face an $88 fine. The updated statute states that a person can drive in the extreme left lane on a “divided limited access highway” only when overtaking another vehicle, to access or egress from the highway, or at the direction of law enforcement.
The state also has carveouts for the need to avoid emergency vehicles, road maintenance, or traffic congestion. Otherwise, Connecticut expects drivers to stay out of the left lane.
The state clarified the law at the request of Connecticut’s Department of Transportation. DOT spokesperson Josh Morgan told the Hartford Courant that the law “was a little unclear where it applied,” and that first responders were complaining of traffic congestion caused by left-lane campers. He added that left-lane campers create “unsafe conditions” because other drivers begin weaving through traffic to pass on the right.
