New law bans drivers from left lane – or face $100 fine and four points
A new Colorado law is set to push commercial drivers out of the left lane on some of the most dangerous stretches of Interstate 70 — and the penalties for ignoring it are steep. Under the updated rules, semitrailers and other commercial motor vehicles will no longer be allowed to use the left lane in designated “high-risk” areas, with violators facing a $100 fine and up to four points on their licenses.
The Colorado Department of Transportation says the restrictions are aimed at preventing major traffic backups and reducing crash risks in steep, weather-sensitive sections of the corridor. These include well-known chokepoints such as Vail Pass, the approaches to the Eisenhower–Johnson Memorial Tunnels, Georgetown Hill, and Glenwood Canyon.
“When a semi blocks the left lane on the Vail Pass or the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels approach, it can shut down travel for hours,” CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said in a press release. “This restriction helps prevent those closures and gives our crews the room they need to keep the corridor open.”
To support enforcement, CDOT will install new signs and pavement markings clearly identifying where the left-lane ban is active. Because commercial drivers operate under stricter license point thresholds, the consequences could be far more severe than a $100 ticket. The Colorado State Patrol plans regular patrols in these zones, especially during storms and peak traffic times.
Officials say the enforcement ties directly into CDOT’s de-icing strategy. Predictable traffic flow helps keep plow operations efficient, and commercial drivers staying out of the left lane means they benefit from the right lanes — which receive the most frequent plowing and traction treatment.
Winter motoring laws coming in 2025
Several other states also have new driving laws taking effect before the end of the year:
Oklahoma – November 1
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Penalties for aggravated DUI become tougher, and aggravated DUI is now classified as a felony.
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First-time offenders may face jail time.
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It becomes illegal to use a cell phone while driving through school or construction zones — even if the phone is not actively in use.
North Carolina – December 1
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Drivers with tinted windows must roll them down upon request during a traffic stop.
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Violators with excessively dark tint may face misdemeanor charges.
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New law bans tow truck drivers from booting trailers statewide, with violations also charged as misdemeanors.
