Chalk one up for the battle against road rage. Is there anything more annoying for a driver than to be trapped behind a vehicle that refuses to get out of the left lane of a multilane highway? You’re not supposed to pass them on the right, but what choice do you have?

You try flashing your lights at the driver. You might even beep your horn to get his or her attention. Yet the driver, who may be talking on the phone, listening to loud music or just being clueless is, literally, unmoved.

You can follow the slower-moving vehicle and create a traffic backup or fudge the law and scoot around to the right, keeping your thumb on the horn just in case the other driver suddenly wakes up and decides to move over.

Using the left lane of a multilane highway only to pass another vehicle is a standard rule of the road, but now it’s an enforceable part of the Kansas traffic laws. A new law that went into effect this week requires drivers on multi-lane highways to stay out of the far-left lane unless they are passing another vehicle, preparing to make a left turn or moving away from an emergency or maintenance vehicle beside the road. The law applies only to highways not within any city’s limits.

For the first year, offenders will be given a warning but not a ticket. After that, the offense will be punishable with a $60 fine with court costs of $86.

Many Kansas drivers will be grateful to have this law on the books, but it will only have an impact if it is adequately enforced, which would seem to be a challenge. Additional signs to alert out-of-state drivers to the law may be needed. (Dare we note the frequency with which such cars seem to have Missouri tags?) It’s only fair to inform drivers who might be unfamiliar with the law, although, keeping the left lane free should be standard practice on any U.S. highway.

In the big scheme of things, the new left-lane law is a relatively minor matter, but it nonetheless will draw applause from many Kansas drivers. Anytime the state can help eliminate a nagging driving annoyance, it’s a step in the right direction.