PRINTER'S NO. 4138
No. 2689 Session of 2008
INTRODUCED BY R. MILLER, JULY 2, 2008
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, JULY 2, 2008
AN ACT
1 Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
2 Statutes, further providing for driving on right side of
3 roadway, for overtaking vehicle on the left, for no-passing
4 zones, for driving on roadways laned for traffic, for
5 required position and method of turning and for minimum speed
6 regulation.
7 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8 hereby enacts as follows:
9 Section 1. Section 3301 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania
10 Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
11 § 3301. Driving on right side of roadway.
12 (a) General rule.--Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a
13 vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway
14 except as follows:
15 (1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle
16 proceeding in the same direction where permitted by the rules
17 governing such movement.
18 (2) When [an obstruction] a condition exists making it
19 necessary to drive to the left of the center of the roadway,
1 provided the driver yields the right-of-way to all vehicles
2 traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed
3 portion of the roadway within such distance as to constitute
4 a hazard.
5 (3) When and where official traffic-control devices are
6 in place designating a lane or lanes to the left side of the
7 center of the roadway for the movement indicated by the
8 devices.
9 (4) Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.
10 (5) When making a left turn as provided in sections 3322
11 (relating to vehicle turning left) and 3331 (relating to
12 required position and method of turning).
13 (6) In accordance with section 3303(a)(3) (relating to
14 overtaking vehicle on the left).
15 (b) Vehicle proceeding at less than normal speed.--
16 (1) Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less
17 than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and
18 under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the
19 right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as
20 practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway,
21 except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding
22 in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an
23 intersection or into an alley, private road or driveway.
24 (2) This subsection does not apply to[a]:
25 (i) A driver who must necessarily drive in a lane
26 other than the right-hand lane to continue on his
27 intended route.
28 (ii) Pedalcycles operating in accordance with
29 Chapter 35 (relating to special vehicles and
30 pedestrians).
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1 (iii) Pedalcycles using any portion of the available
2 roadway due to unsafe surface conditions.
3 (iv) Pedalcycles on a roadway having width for not
4 more than one lane of traffic in each direction.
5 Section 2. Section 3303(a) of Title 75 is amended by adding
6 a paragraph to read:
7 § 3303. Overtaking vehicle on the left.
8 (a) General rule.--The following rules shall govern the
9 overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same
10 direction, subject to the limitations, exceptions and special
11 rules stated in this chapter:
12 * * *
13 (3) The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a
14 pedalcycle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the
15 left of the pedalcycle in a lane adjacent to that of the
16 pedalcycle if possible in accordance with section 3305
17 (relating to limitations on overtaking on the left) or within
18 not less than four feet at a careful and prudent reduced
19 speed.
20 * * *
21 Section 3. Sections 3307(c) and 3309 of Title 75 are
22 amended to read:
23 § 3307. No-passing zones.
24 * * *
25 (c) Application of section.--This section does not apply
26 [under]:
27 (1) Under the conditions described in section 3301(a)(2)
28 and (5) (relating to driving on right side of roadway).
29 (2) To overtaking pedalcycles in accordance with
30 sections 3303(a)(3) (relating to overtaking vehicle on the
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1 left) and 3305 (relating to limitations on overtaking on the
2 left).
3 § 3309. Driving on roadways laned for traffic.
4 (a) General rule.--Whenever any roadway has been divided
5 into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic the following
6 rules in addition to all others not inconsistent therewith shall
7 apply:
8 (1) Driving within single lane.--A vehicle shall be
9 driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane
10 and shall not be moved from the lane until the driver has
11 first ascertained that the movement can be made with safety.
12 (2) Three lane roadways.--Upon a roadway which is
13 divided into three lanes and provides for two-way movement of
14 traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane
15 except when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling
16 in the same direction when the center lane is clear of
17 traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for making
18 a left turn, or where the center lane is allocated
19 exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the
20 vehicle is proceeding and the allocation is designated by
21 official traffic-control devices.
22 (3) Lanes limited to specific use.--Official traffic-
23 control devices may be erected to restrict the use of
24 specified lanes to specified classes or types of traffic or
25 vehicles, including multioccupant vehicles or car pools, and
26 drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such
27 device.
28 (4) Prohibitions against changing lanes.--Official
29 traffic-control devices may be installed prohibiting the
30 changing of lanes on a section of roadway and drivers of
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1 vehicles shall obey the directions of every such device.
2 (b) Application of section.--This section does not apply to
3 overtaking pedalcycles in accordance with sections 3303(a)(3)
4 (relating to overtaking vehicle on the left) and 3305 (relating
5 to limitations on overtaking on the left).
6 Section 4. Section 3331 of Title 75 is amended by adding a
7 subsection to read:
8 § 3331. Required position and method of turning.
9 * * *
10 (e) Interference with pedalcycles.--No turn by a driver of a
11 motor vehicle shall interfere with a pedalcycle proceeding
12 straight while operating in accordance with Chapter 35 (relating
13 to special vehicles and pedestrians).
14 Section 5. Section 3364(b) of Title 75 is amended and the
15 section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
16 § 3364. Minimum speed regulation.
17 * * *
18 (b) Slow moving vehicle to drive off roadway.--Except when
19 reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance
20 with law, whenever any person drives a motor vehicle upon a
21 roadway having width for not more than one lane of traffic in
22 each direction at less than the maximum posted speed and at such
23 a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of
24 traffic, the driver shall, at the first opportunity when and
25 where it is reasonable and safe to do so and after giving
26 appropriate signal, drive completely off the roadway and onto
27 the berm or shoulder of the highway. The driver may return to
28 the roadway after giving appropriate signal only when the
29 movement can be made in safety and so as not to impede the
30 normal and reasonable movement of traffic.
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1 * * *
2 (d) Application of section.--This section does not apply to
3 pedalcycles operating in accordance with Chapter 35 (relating to
4 special vehicles and pedestrians).
5 Section 6. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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