ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – When traffic backs up, it can be tempting to leave the main travel lanes and move into the merge lanes to pass.
On highways like State Road 408 westbound, drivers often see a mix of white line markings — sometimes solid, sometimes dashed or square-shaped — marking these merge lanes.
But what do these lane markings actually mean, and is it legal to use these lanes to pass traffic?
Below is a quick guide to lane rules.
Understanding lane markings
The different white lines and markings play a significant role in signaling what you can and cannot do within a lane:
- Solid white lines: Solid lines indicate areas where lane changes are discouraged or prohibited. Crossing a solid line to pass traffic could lead to a citation and is typically against the law.
- Dashed white lines: These lines are often used to indicate that it’s legal to change lanes. However, on highways like State Road 408 westbound, dashed lines can sometimes appear only within specific merging zones. These areas are designed for traffic to safely enter or exit the main flow, not for passing.
- White squares: The square markings you see are often there to help guide traffic flow during merging. These markings reinforce that the lane is meant for merging, not overtaking slower traffic in the main lanes.
Is passing in merge lanes legal?
In short, no, it is not legal to use the merge lanes to pass other vehicles on S.R. 408 West or similar highways. These lanes are intended solely for vehicles entering or exiting the highway.
Passing in these areas not only disrupts traffic flow but can also create hazardous situations, as drivers in the travel lanes do not expect other vehicles to pass from the merge lanes.
What happens if you use the merge lane to pass?
Using merge lanes in this way can result in a traffic citation for improper lane usage.
It’s considered a form of aggressive driving, and repeated violations could lead to further penalties. Authorities monitor these areas, particularly during peak hours, to ensure that lanes are being used as intended.
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