ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions twice per week in a segment called “Ask Trooper Steve.”
Trooper Steve on Tuesday was asked, “I see it all the time. Can I slide into the merge lane to pass?”
If you’ve ever been stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you’ve probably seen it: that one driver zipping into the merge lane on the right to fly past a line of cars.
But is that move legal in Florida?
The answer is no.
According to Florida Statute 316.084, drivers can only pass on the right under very specific circumstances.
It’s legal if the vehicle in front of you is making a left turn, or if there are clearly marked lanes that allow two or more cars to travel in the same direction. What it does not allow is using merge lanes or shoulders as your personal passing lanes.
Those merge lanes are designed to help traffic flow, letting vehicles enter or exit smoothly, not to serve as a shortcut when traffic is backed up. Using them to “skip the line” is not only illegal, but it also creates dangerous situations for drivers who are trying to merge safely.
Think of it this way: it’s kind of like cutting in front at the grocery store checkout. You might get ahead for a moment, but everyone else notices, including law enforcement.
So stay in your lane, be patient and let merge lanes serve their actual purpose. It keeps traffic safer for everyone.