The “Keep Right Except to Pass” sign, intended to keep slower traffic in the right lane on multi-lane highways, is widely regarded as one of the most frequently ignored traffic messages in Texas.
A viral post on X highlighting the sign drew significant attention on May 17, 2026, with thousands of Texans sharing similar frustrations about left-lane camping.
Not a suggestion 🤠 pic.twitter.com/uvk7bEDnFT
— Facts About Texas (@FactsAboutTexas) May 17, 2026
The “Keep Right Except to Pass” rule is outlined in Texas Transportation Code 545.051, which directs drivers to keep right when not passing, as stated, in part, below:
(b) An operator of a vehicle on a roadway moving more slowly than the normal speed of other vehicles at the time and place under the existing conditions shall drive in the right-hand lane available for vehicles, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, unless the operator is:
(1) passing another vehicle; or
(2) preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
Common Traffic Violations: What the Numbers Show
Texas drivers most often disregard stop signs, red lights, speed limits, and turn signals, according to crash data and citation records, including iDriveSafely.
Disregarding stop signs and traffic signals remains a significant factor in crashes across Texas. According to the most recent data available from the Texas Department of Transportation, “Disregard Stop Sign” was a contributing factor in 15,579 crashes in 2024, including 100 fatal crashes and 588 suspected serious injury crashes.
Additional 2024 figures include:
- Disregard Stop Sign or Light: Between 12,305 and 16,452 crashes, depending on the specific reporting table.
- Failed to Yield Right-of-Way at Stop Sign: 31,693 crashes, including 154 fatal and 859 suspected serious injury crashes.
- Intersection-related crashes, which heavily overlap with stop sign and signal violations, resulted in 1,050 deaths statewide.
Speeding remains Texas’ most cited moving violation, followed by disregarding signals and failure to yield. A Nicolet Law study ranked Texas 10th among states for traffic-sign offenders based on 2020-2024 data, as reported by Yahoo Finance.
Texas law enforcement can issue tickets for improper lane use, though citations for left-lane violations appear less common than for speeding or red-light running. Fines vary by jurisdiction but typically range from $100 to several hundred dollars for moving violations, per Safe2Drive.
TxDOT continues education and enforcement campaigns through its Traffic Safety Data Portal to reduce these behaviors. The agency tracks fatalities and serious injuries, with data showing consistent patterns in lane discipline and signal compliance issues.
TxDOT Sign Installation, Costs, and Maintenance
TxDOT installs and maintains regulatory signs like these through a standardized process. Districts conduct engineering studies before placement. Sign panels generally cost between $25 and $40 per square foot, depending on type and size, with installation adding labor and hardware expenses, per Work Safe Traffic Control Industries. A basic regulatory sign can cost several hundred dollars, while larger overhead or freeway signs cost more.
Replacement or new installation involves bid processes through TxDOT’s contracting system, with average low bids for aluminum signs and related work documented in statewide dashboards. Maintenance crews handle ongoing upkeep to meet the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices standards.
