Florida
Florida left-lane bill returns, makes left lanes passing-only. What to know about HB 351
Driving on the shoulder in Florida allowed with new ‘flex lanes’
Drivers in Central Florida will be able to drive on the shoulder as part of the Central Florida Expressway Authority’s new “flex lanes” program.
Fox – 35 Orlando
Heads up, drivers. Florida’s left-lane bill is back.
Last year, the Florida Legislature passed a law that would fine anyone using the far-left lane on roads with speed limits of 65 mph or more for anything besides passing other vehicles, with some exceptions. But Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it, saying the language was too broad and could lead to people being unnecessarily pulled over.
“In addition, the bill could potentially increase congestion in Florida’s urban areas as drivers may decide to not utilize the furthest left-hand lane at all for fear of being ticketed,” DeSantis said.
In February, the sponsor of the last bill, Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, filed HB 351, a virtually identical bill with a bit more clarification. Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, filed an identical bill, SB 636.
“All of us who travel back and forth to Tallahassee experience frustration on the major highways and frustration caused by drivers impeding the flow of traffic in the left lane,” Persons-Mulicka said last year. “This creates a dangerous situation, when drivers unnecessarily camp out in the left lane. It leads to blocking traffic flow, less predictability, more encounters, more passing maneuvers and more opportunities for accidents.”
Current Florida law already prohibits drivers from using the left lane unless they are passing a slower-moving vehicle, directed to by authorities or required to by conditions. The bill defines what a left-hand lane is as far as the law is concerned and specifies exactly under what conditions left-hand lane use is allowed.
Over 84% of Florida drivers admit to misusing the left lane, according to legal firm Anidjar & Levine. There were 12,970 tickets issued for it in 2024, according to the firm, and each one carried a maximum fine of $75 and 3 points on your license. But enforcement was moderate, the firm said in an email.
The firm examined state laws on left-lane driving and found that the severity of the punishments and the inconsistency of their enforcement can be a problem. The strictest state was Virginia, where misusing the left lane can mean up to $2,500 in fines and potential jail time.
What is HB 351? Does it ban driving in the left lane in Florida?
Under the proposed bill, drivers would be prohibited from driving in the far left-hand lane or a roadway with two or more lanes and a posted speed limit of at least 65 mph unless:
- You are overtaking and passing another vehicle
- You’re about to exit the road, street or highway
- You’ve been directed to by law enforcement or an official traffic control device
- New this year: You’re required to do so due to the approach or presence of an authorized emergency vehicle, sanitation or utility service vehicle, wrecker, road and bridge maintenance or construction vehicle, or the presence of a disabled motor vehicle
- New this year: Environmental or traffic conditions dictate it
This does not apply to emergency, maintenance or construction vehicles, and drivers would still be permitted to use the left lane to avoid obstructions in the road.
Under this year’s version of the bill, the Department of Transportation will designate the areas of roadways where the law applies and install signage letting motorists know about it.
When would Florida’s left-lane law take effect?
If it passes the legislature and the governor doesn’t veto this one, HB 545 would take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Florida
Florida State recruiting: Georgia edge rusher Jaxon Holly commits to FSU over Auburn, Virginia Tech, Georgia
The Florida State Seminoles landed a verbal commitment from a defensive lineman today, as Jaxon Holly has decided to join #Tribe27.
Holly is a 6’3, 235 pound edge rusher who plays for Roswell High School in Georgia. 247Sports Composite currently has him as a three-star, ranked as the 611th best player nationally (52nd best Edge, 76th best player in GA). He holds three dozen offers and chose the Seminoles over fellow finalists Auburn and Virginia Tech, along with Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, LSU, Michigan, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M, among many others. He obviously wasn’t a priority for some of those programs but certainly was for the Tigers and Hokies. The Bulldogs were also in contention at one point.
Holly was limited to five games last season but still managed 32 tackles (seven for loss), 12 QB hits, two sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. FSU’s edge rusher board has thinned considerably over the past month, and Holly represents a nice win for Nick Williams on the trail. He’s likely going to need at least one season in the weight room before meaningfully contributing, but the tools are there for Holly to be a solid rotational player.
2027 Florida State recruiting: Current commitments
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Grace Reilly recommends several restaurants in the Stuart and Port Salerno area.
USA TODAY bestselling author Grace Reilly next month will release her new book “Yes, Chef,” which was inspired by several Treasure Coast cities and restaurants.
The story is set in Diamond Bay, a fictional town meant to be a mashup of different cities from Fort Pierce to Hobe Sound.
A disgraced chef, Jack, returns to his hometown to take over the restaurant his late mentor left him. To revive the restaurant, he teams up with a social media influencer, Poppy, the daughter of his ex-boss.
Since the story was inspired by local restaurants, TCPalm asked Reilly about her favorite restaurants, and here are her recommendations.
Grace Reilly’s Treasure Coast restaurant recommendations
- District Table and Bar, Port Salerno: “With a menu that changes regularly, going to District is always an adventure,” Reilly said. “It’s my absolute favorite restaurant and the first place I think of when I need somewhere to celebrate a birthday or milestone. I imagine Fable, Jack and Poppy’s restaurant, as having that same spirit and flair for experimentation.”
- Hudson’s on the River, Stuart: “When I think of a classic coastal Florida restaurant, this comes to mind immediately,” she said. “Delicious seafood, a fun, bright atmosphere and excellent drinks. No meal there is complete without their deconstructed coconut cream pie.”
- Sailor’s Return, Stuart: “The restaurant that provided so much inspiration for ‘Yes, Chef,’ ” she said. “The location in Sunset Bay Marina in downtown Stuart is beautiful and the food is classic. It’s right by Gilbert’s Coffee Bar, my favorite coffee shop.”
- Fantini’s Italian Restaurant, Stuart: “As a former New Yorker, I have lots of opinions about pizza. Fantini’s is actually New Haven-style, but hands down the best slice I’ve gotten so far on the Treasure Coast,” she said. “Pizza Fridays are an institution for my family. I adore their A La Vodka pizza, as well as a classic sausage and black olive combo.”
- The Gafford, Stuart: “An absolute gem in downtown Stuart,” she said. “It brings classic Southern vibes with South Floridian flair. Their specials are always unique and delicious and the atmosphere is lovely.”
Olivia Franklin is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com, 317-627-8048 or follow her on X @Livvvvv_5.
LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A Lake Worth Beach jewelry store owner is seeking justice after detectives say a trusted employee stole $150K in merchandise and later left the country.
Officers with the Boynton Beach Police Department say 46-year-old Zabrina Herrera Acosta, who was arrested on Friday, managed to pawn at least 126 jewelry items between February and November of 2025, netting nearly $87,000.
The victim told deputies she hired Herrera Acosta in February 2025 at YR Jewelry on South Military Trail.
Because the owner was attending to a family matter, she was unable to be at the store as often as usual and trusted Herrera Acosta to handle the store’s inventory.
Investigators say that trust was deeply abused when Herrera Acosta intentionally stole items while hiding in a known surveillance blind spot.
See also: World Cup fans gather outside Palm Beach resort amid Ronaldo rumors
The owner did not report the thefts immediately because she confronted Herrera Acosta, who begged for time to pay her back.
However, after learning that her former employee had left the country for Panama, the owner realized she was never going to see her money or gold again.
When Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office detectives stepped in, they uncovered a massive paper trail consisting of 58 separate pawn tickets stretching from Palm Beach to Broward County.
Pawn shop employees told detectives that Herrera Acosta presented herself as a business owner who sold jewelry for a living. For every transaction, she provided her Panama passport, signed a declaration stating she legally owned the jewelry, and left a fingerprint.
By the time detectives tracked down the shops, only 13 of the 126 items remained in stores, nine of which the owner positively identified as her stolen property.
The store owner later provided detectives with a video recording of their final phone conversation in Spanish, where Herrera Acosta reportedly confessed to the thefts, admitted to selling the jewelry for less than retail value, and promised to pay her back using her grandmother’s gold.
An arrest warrant was signed on January 23, and Herrera Acosta was arrested on Thursday for Organized Scheme to Defraud over $50,000, Grand Theft over $100,000, 29 counts of Dealing in Stolen Property, and 29 counts of False Verification of Ownership to a Pawnbroker.
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