Senate committee advances bill to clarify left-lane enforcement with state police backing

The Senate Transportation, Technology & Legislative Affairs committee voted to advance House Bill 1849, a measure backstopped by the Arkansas State Police intended to clarify enforcement of left-lane driving rules.

State Senator Greg Leding, presenting the bill, said the statute would provide clearer guidance to law enforcement and drivers by defining the left-lane restrictions and purposes for leaving a lane open. Major Jason Aaron of the Arkansas State Police testified the agency supports the bill to provide clearer safety standards, though he told members he did not have citation numbers for the past year.

Committee members questioned whether the proposal duplicates existing law that already allows officers to act if a vehicle impedes traffic. Senator Garner said he had reassessed his view after talking with state police and supported the bill as a way to give enforcement "a little bit more teeth" while urging reasonable application. The committee adopted the bill on a voice vote.

The bill’s sponsor said the measure is intended to clarify—not expand—law-enforcement discretion and to make it easier to target bad actors who linger in the left lane.