SF 1231

as introduced - 83rd Legislature (2003 - 2004) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

  1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to traffic regulations; restricting allowable 
  1.3             use of left lane on laned highway; amending Minnesota 
  1.4             Statutes 2002, section 169.18, subdivision 7. 
  1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.6      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 169.18, 
  1.7   subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
  1.8      Subd. 7.  [LANED HIGHWAY.] When any roadway has been 
  1.9   divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the 
  1.10  following rules, in addition to all others consistent herewith, 
  1.11  shall apply: 
  1.12     (a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable 
  1.13  entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such 
  1.14  lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement 
  1.15  can be made with safety. 
  1.16     (b) Upon a roadway which is not a one-way roadway and which 
  1.17  is divided into three lanes, a vehicle shall not be driven in 
  1.18  the center lane except when overtaking and passing another 
  1.19  vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and such center 
  1.20  lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in 
  1.21  preparation for a left turn or where such center lane is at the 
  1.22  time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction 
  1.23  the vehicle is proceeding, and is signposted to give notice of 
  1.24  such allocation.  The left lane of a three-lane roadway which is 
  1.25  not a one-way roadway shall not be used for overtaking and 
  2.1   passing another vehicle. 
  2.2      (c) Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving 
  2.3   traffic to use a designated lane or allocating specified lanes 
  2.4   to traffic moving in the same direction, and drivers of vehicles 
  2.5   shall obey the directions of every such sign. 
  2.6      (d) Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a 
  2.7   roadway, any person operating a motor vehicle on such roadway 
  2.8   shall not drive in the bicycle lane except to park where parking 
  2.9   is permitted, to enter or leave the highway, or to prepare for a 
  2.10  turn as provided in section 169.19, subdivision 1. 
  2.11     (e) Except when necessary to yield to emergency vehicles or 
  2.12  to reach a left highway exit, a vehicle may be driven in a lane 
  2.13  to the left of one or more other lanes only when the vehicle is 
  2.14  overtaking slower-moving traffic to the right, or otherwise only 
  2.15  when the vehicle can safely operate in the left lane without 
  2.16  obstructing traffic.