AUSTIN (October 12, 2012)--Thousands of new signs are going up to remind drivers in Texas of Left Lane for Passing Only laws on highways with 75 mile per hour or higher speed limits.
The Texas Department of Transportation announced plans Friday to post about 3,400 additional signs by next summer in a renewed safety effort.
The 2011 Legislature approved 85-mile-per-hour speed limits for some new stretches of road.
Part of a toll road in the Austin area opens Oct. 24 with an 85 mph speed limit.
TxDOT official Carol Rawson says the left lane-passing signs are meant to help travelers have a safe, efficient and enjoyable trip.
“Reminding the public that slower moving vehicles should use right lanes and that passing vehicles use left lanes will help improve safety on our highways,” she said.
“Engineers generally consider highway travel to be the safest when vehicles are traveling at the same speeds,” Rawson said.
“The use of these signs will help ensure that vehicles traveling at the posted speed limit will not be impeded or forced to make excessive lane changes when encountering a slower vehicle.”
