FISCAL NOTE



FUND(S):



Sources of Revenue:

Special Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


1. The bill provides that a vehicle may not be operated within the left lane of a controlled access highway except: a. when overtaking and passing another vehicle b. when no other vehicle is directly behind the vehicle in the left lane c. when traffic conditions and congestion make it impractical to drive in the right lane d. when snow and other inclement weather conditions make it necessary to drive in the left lane e. when obstructions or hazards exist in the right lane f. when a vehicle change lanes to comply with a law of the state g. when because of highway design, a vehicle must be driven in the left lane when preparing to exit h. when necessary to pass/pay a toll i. when driving in left lane is required to comply with a traffic control device j. for law enforcement and emergency vehicles in conduct of duty k. for construction and maintenance operations 2. WV State Law §17C-6-3a currently permits a police officer to cite an operator for impeding the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. As such the necessity of the bill may need reviewed. Previously the DOH has opposed “left lane” legislation; however, many of those previous concerns have been addressed in this version. 3. The DOH is concerned with any law that would require additional lane changing by vehicles as it is one of most hazardous maneuvers on a freeway or expressway. If signing for the law is desired and considered as an amendment (it is not referenced in HB4407 nor does DOH believe it would be necessary), it may encourage unnecessary lane changing as clearly all these conditions cannot be addressed with signing. 4. Although the bill allows for the “capacity” condition as an exception, there is some concern that the result would be reduced capacity, right lane queuing and increased rear end crashes. 5. The DOH does install “SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT” on small sections of expressways where it has been confirmed that the left lane utilization has been significant by vehicles not engaged in passing maneuvers under non-peak traffic conditions. Fiscal Note Informtion (only if signing is added to bill):



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2014
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2015
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 250,000 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 20,000
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


Assume signing roughly every 5 miles (estimated miles shown below) or at all interchange entrance ramps Interstate mileage: 1100 US mileage: 850 WV mileage: 200 Total: 2150 Note: For purposes of the Fiscal Note, it is assumed that all work will be performed in FY2015



Memorandum






    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Lorrie Hodges
    Email Address: lorrie.a.hodges@wv.gov