4/16/09-The Senate voted Tuesday, April 14, to kill a bill intended to keep slow-moving vehicles – cars, trucks or RVs – from blocking traffic and to allow other travelers to stay up to speed. House lawmakers previously approved it.
Colorado law now prohibits vehicles from impeding the normal traffic flow. However, it’s a judgment call by law enforcement whether to issue a ticket.
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, HB1042 sought to make impeding the flow of five or more vehicles following immediately behind a mandatory offense.
The 2004 law was intended to cut down on road rage and ease traffic woes on state highways by encouraging drivers to use the left lane for passing only.
Dubbed the “Courtesy Bill,” Merrifield’s measure would have required slow-moving vehicles to drive in the right-hand lane or pull off the road and let the trailing vehicles pass. Pulling off the road would have been mandatory only where it could be accomplished safely and lawfully.
Violators would have faced nearly $60 fines. Three points also would have been added to offenders’ licenses.
The bill exempted commercial vehicles from pulling off if there is fewer than 12 feet of shoulder alongside the road.

1/30/09-A bill in the Senate Transportation Committee is intended to keep slow-moving vehicles – cars, trucks or RVs – from blocking traffic and to allow other travelers to stay up to speed. The House already approved it.
Colorado law now prohibits vehicles from impeding the normal traffic flow. However, it’s a judgment call by law enforcement whether to issue a ticket.
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, HB1042 would make impeding the flow of five or more vehicles following immediately behind a mandatory offense.
The 2004 law was intended to cut down on road rage and ease traffic woes on state highways by encouraging drivers to use the left lane for passing only.
Dubbed the “Courtesy Bill,” Merrifield’s measure would require slow-moving vehicles to drive in the right-hand lane or pull off the road and let the trailing vehicles pass. Pulling off the road would be mandatory only where it can be accomplished safely and lawfully.
The bill was amended on the House floor to exempt commercial vehicles from pulling off if there is fewer than 12 feet of shoulder alongside the road.
Violators would face $50 fines. Three points also would be added to offenders’ licenses.
For bill status, call 303-866-3055. In Colorado, call 800-811-7647.

1/27/09-House lawmakers voted 37-27 Monday, Jan. 26, to advance a bill to the Senate that is intended to keep slow-moving vehicles – cars, trucks or RVs – from blocking traffic and to allow other travelers to stay up to speed.
Colorado law now prohibits vehicles from impeding the normal traffic flow. However, it’s a judgment call by law enforcement whether to issue a ticket.
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, HB1042 would make impeding the flow of five or more vehicles following immediately behind a mandatory offense.
The 2004 law was intended to cut down on road rage and ease traffic woes on state highways by encouraging drivers to use the left lane for passing only.
Dubbed the “Courtesy Bill,” Merrifield’s measure would require slow-moving vehicles to drive in the right-hand lane or pull off the road and let the trailing vehicles pass. Pulling off the road would be mandatory only where it can be accomplished safely and lawfully.
The bill was amended on the House floor to exempt commercial vehicles from pulling off if there is fewer than 12 feet of shoulder alongside the road.
Violators would face $50 fines. Three points also would be added to offenders’ licenses.
The bill is awaiting assignment to committee in the Senate. It is expected to get its first public hearing in February.
For bill status, call 303-866-3055. In Colorado, call 800-811-7647.

1/23/09-House lawmakers voted Friday, Jan. 23, to advance a bill that is intended to keep slow-moving vehicles – cars, trucks or RVs – from blocking traffic and to allow other travelers to stay up to speed. The chamber could make a third and final vote on the matter as early as next week. If approved, the measure would move to the Senate for further consideration.
Colorado law now prohibits vehicles from impeding the normal traffic flow. However, it’s a judgment call by law enforcement whether to issue a ticket.
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, HB1042 would make impeding the flow of five or more vehicles following immediately behind a mandatory offense.
The 2004 law was intended to cut down on road rage and ease traffic woes on state highways by encouraging drivers to use the left lane for passing only.
Dubbed the “Courtesy Bill,” Merrifield’s measure would require slow-moving vehicles to drive in the right-hand lane or pull off the road and let the trailing vehicles pass. Pulling off the road would be mandatory only where it can be accomplished safely and lawfully.
An amendment added to the bill on the House floor would exempt commercial vehicles from pulling off if there is fewer than 12 feet of shoulder alongside the road.
Other changes to the bill that sought to exempt hazardous materials haulers and farm vehicles failed to gain the endorsement of legislators.
Violators would face $50 fines. Three points also would be added to offenders’ licenses.
For bill status, call 303-866-3055. In Colorado, call 800-811-7647.

1/21/09-The House Transportation and Energy Committee voted 8-2 to advance a bill to the House floor that is intended to keep slowpokes from blocking traffic and allow truckers and other drivers to stay up to speed.
Colorado law now prohibits vehicles from impeding the normal traffic flow. However, it’s a judgment call by law enforcement whether to issue a ticket.
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, HB1042 would make impeding the flow of five or more vehicles following immediately behind a mandatory offense.
The 2004 law was intended to cut down on road rage and ease traffic woes on state highways by encouraging drivers to use the left lane for passing only.
Dubbed the “Courtesy Bill,” the measure would require slow-moving vehicles to drive in the right-hand lane or pull off the road and let the trailing vehicles pass. Pulling off the road would be mandatory only where it can be accomplished safely and lawfully.
Violators would face $50 fines. Three points also would be added to offenders’ licenses.
For bill status, call 303-866-3055. In Colorado, call 800-811-7647.

1/15/09-A bill in the House Transportation and Energy Committee is intended to keep slowpokes from blocking traffic and allow truckers and other drivers to stay up to speed.
Colorado law now prohibits vehicles from impeding the normal traffic flow. However, it’s a judgment call by law enforcement whether to issue a ticket.
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, HB1042 would make impeding the flow of five or more vehicles following immediately behind a mandatory offense.
The 2004 law was intended to cut down on road rage and ease traffic woes on state highways by encouraging drivers to use the left lane for passing only.
Dubbed the “Courtesy Bill,” the measure would require slow-moving vehicles to drive in the right-hand lane or pull off the road and let the trailing vehicles pass. Pulling off the road would be mandatory only where it can be accomplished safely and lawfully.
Violators would face $50 fines.
For bill status, call 303-866-3055. In Colorado, call 800-811-7647.