Relating to nonpedestrian travel on roadways based on lane designations, including the manner of overtaking other vehicles, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable

The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. This bill repeals and replaces provisions regulating driving on the right side of roadways and overtaking and passing on roadways.306 remain in effect with certain changes. The bill distinguishes roadways in two ways: (1) roadways not laned for traffic or laned for traffic in opposing directions and (2) roadways laned for traffic moving in the same direction. The bill requires a person to drive in the right-hand lane on a roadway with multiple lanes for traffic moving in the same direction or to the right of the center line of any other roadway, as applicable. Limited exceptions include while overtaking another vehicle and avoiding obstructions when such actions can be completed safely, while authorized by official traffic-control devices, and while preparing to make a left turn, so long as the driver yields to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction. However, if the roadway has three or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction, a driver is required to drive in the center lanes, such that the far left lane can be used for overtaking and the far right lane can be used to enter or exit the roadway, as applicable. The bill also provides for these traffic regulations and prohibitions, as applicable, on one-way roads, roads with temporary passing lanes, and roads with center turn lanes. Overtaking another vehicle is only authorized when such action can be completed safely and without causing another vehicle to adjust speed or direction. The authorized manner for and prohibitions against overtaking another vehicle remain similar to current law. A person who violates the bill is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $135, which matches the current penalty for such violations. However, a peace officer is required to issue a warning memorandum in lieu of a citation until July 1, 2025, to a person who drives in the left lane of a roadway with two lanes for traffic moving in the same direction when an exception does not apply, and to a person who drives in either the left or right lane on a roadway with three or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction when an exception does not apply. Similar to current law, if a violation of the bill causes a serious injury, a court could impose an additional fine of $500 or suspend the person’s driver’s license for not more than 90 days, or both.482A).