Do You Always Have to Pass on the Left in Little Rock?

It’s common knowledge that when you need to pass a car on the roadway in front of you, passing them on the left is the necessary and “right” thing to do. Typically, the left lane on any roadway is considered a lane to pass other cars.

Slower-moving traffic needs to remain in the middle or the right lane. In Arkansas, this is the law. When this law is broken, it could lead to serious and even deadly car accidents.

What is the left lane law in Arkansas?

In 2021, Arkansas passed Act 1090 into law. It provides some specific requirements for drivers on the roadway for passing other vehicles. According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, “Except for situations when lanes are blocked, the law requires drivers to use the right lanes for travel, reserving the left-most lane for passing only.”

The objective of this law is to provide a way to minimize traffic backups on roadways but also ensuring smooth travel.

What happens when the left lane is blocked?

There are times when the left lane is blocked, perhaps due to an accident or breakdown, and you cannot travel around another driver that way. If there is a vehicle blocking the left lane, and you need to move around the driver in front of you, you are allowed to pass on the other side. The key here is to make sure you’re only doing this when necessary.

Conditions when overtaking on right

Under AR Code 27-51-308:

The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:

1. When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;
2. Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction; and
3. Upon a one-way street or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one (1) direction of movement where the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of moving vehicles.

What are the Move Over laws in Arkansas?

Move Over Laws in Arkansas make it clear. If you see flashing lights, you need to move out of the way to the farthest position possible to get around the vehicle present, including when they are on the shoulder of the road. If you cannot move over, you are legally required to slow down and move through the area very slowly. The reason for this is to reduce the risk of police officers, ambulance workers, and other transportation workers from being struck by drivers not paying attention.

Can you pass someone on the shoulder?

No, you cannot. It is illegal in Arkansas to pass someone on the shoulder, unless you have been directed by law enforcement to do so. (Typically, this involves roadwork in the left or middle lanes, or police blocking off lanes for an accident or other reason.)

Can you pass a school bus in Arkansas?

You should never attempt to pass a school bus in either direction when its red lights are flashing. Instead, stop and wait for them to receive or discharge passengers fully. Once the red lights are no longer flashing, you can then safely operate around them as you would other vehicles. Those red flashers, though, mean you need to wait.

There are a few additional rules you should know about Arkansas school buses:

• If you are on a two-lane road, traffic in both directions must stop while the red flashing lights are on. There is no acceptable reason to move during this time.
• If you are on a two-lane roadway with a center turning lane, all traffic in both directions must stop while the red flashing lights are on.
• On a four-lane roadway that does not have a median, all traffic in both directions must stop.
• If there is a divided highway with four lanes or more, and there is a median separation, in this situation, the traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop. The other lanes moving in the opposite direction do not.

Are you allowed to pass a mail carrier in Arkansas?

You do not need to wait behind a mail vehicle while it makes its rounds.

However, if the mail vehicle is moving, avoid passing them, especially on a two-lane highway. When the mail truck comes to a stop and when there are no cars in your way or coming towards you (and you are in a passing lane) you can then signal your intention to move around the mail truck and do so cautiously. Wait for the right time to do this to ensure everyone is kept safe throughout the process.

Injured in a car accident while trying to pass? Our Little Rock injury lawyers can help. Bailey & Greer, PLLC provides legal support to those who have been injured in car accidents caused by drivers making illegal turns, speeding, passing illegally, and other negligent behaviors. Call our office or submit our contact form for help today.