---
title: "Washington State Patrol Targeting Left-Lane Slowpokes This Week"
description: "Finally, justice is served."
date: "2017-06-21"
modified: "2017-06-21"
authors:
  - name: "Kyle Cheromcha"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kyle-cheromcha"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/11726/washington-state-patrol-targeting-left-lane-slowpokes-this-week"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "awareness"
  - "bad driving"
  - "left lane"
  - "passing"
  - "speed"
  - "state police"
---

# Washington State Patrol Targeting Left-Lane Slowpokes This Week

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/06/left-lane.png>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

There are few things more maddening than sliding into the [left lane](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/8840/lexus-pranks-impatient-drivers-with-fake-lane-valet>) to pass someone, only to run headlong into an oblivious fool tootling along at five under the speed limit. Washington State Patrol knows how you feel—that's why they've launched a new awareness campaign and ticketing blitz this week aimed squarely at left-lane campers.

[*KING 5 News* followed](<https://www.king5.com/news/local/left-lane-campers-target-of-extra-wsp-emphasis-this-week/450266725>) Trooper Brooke Bova on Monday as she issued warning after warning to drivers over their plodding pace in the left lane. For anyone who's spent time fuming on the back bumper of one of these rolling roadblocks, hearing Bova tell one of them "I have been behind you for a couple of miles, and you were the lead car with a long line of cars behind you" is music to the ears.

https://youtube.com/embed/IP0KHyRQCZM

Of course, the Washington State Patrol isn't doing this just so you can speed with abandon. Legally, the left lane of a multi-lane highway in Washington State [is a *passing* lane, not a fast lane.](<https://wspinsideout.wordpress.com/2016/05/11/ask-a-trooper-left-lane-driving/>) But in the words of Trooper Bova, practically "nobody" follows the rules. Last year, the WSP pulled over more than 16,000 drivers for violating the law, and this week's push comes in response to a new wave of driver complaints.

[Some might chafe](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/3321/am-i-the-jackass>) at the $136 fine, but it's also safer for everyone. Bova points out that keeping the left lane clear allows for quicker movement of emergency vehicles, shortening response times and allowing first responders to clear highway-blocking accidents faster.

If anyone out there still isn't getting the message, the WSP prepared a helpful video showing exactly what left-lane camping looks like:

https://youtube.com/embed/4PPv7qPaMic

## Author
Overseeing an expert staff of writers and editors from his lair in Los Angeles, Kyle shapes The Drive’s singular approach to covering the automotive industry and car culture. He’s been with the site as a writer since 2017, taking over as editor in 2019. On a daily basis, Kyle is responsible for directing The Drive's editorial news and car review content strategies, setting special coverage priorities, managing complex reporting projects, and ensuring what you read on the page meets our high internal standards for quality and trustworthiness. He is also the executive producer of The Drive's YouTube channel, which was relaunched in February 2024 to great acclaim and has accumulated over 14M new views in its first year back on the scene. He hosts a biweekly series on the channel where he breaks down fascinating and complicated stories from the automotive world.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/kylecheromcha.bsky.social>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/kylecheromcha>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-cheromcha-1550248a/>)