SF 2637

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; requiring vehicles to 
  1.3             be driven in right-hand lane with exceptions; amending 
  1.4             Minnesota Statutes 2002, sections 169.18, subdivisions 
  1.5             7, 10; 171.13, by adding a subdivision.  
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 169.18, 
  1.8   subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
  1.9      Subd. 7.  [LANED HIGHWAY.] When any roadway has been 
  1.10  divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the 
  1.11  following rules, in addition to all others consistent herewith, 
  1.12  shall apply: 
  1.13     (a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable 
  1.14  entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such 
  1.15  lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement 
  1.16  can be made with safety. 
  1.17     (b) Upon a roadway which is not a one-way roadway and which 
  1.18  is divided into three lanes, a vehicle shall not be driven in 
  1.19  the center lane except when overtaking and passing another 
  1.20  vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and such center 
  1.21  lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in 
  1.22  preparation for a left turn or where such center lane is at the 
  1.23  time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction 
  1.24  the vehicle is proceeding, and is signposted to give notice of 
  1.25  such allocation.  The left lane of a three-lane roadway which is 
  2.1   not a one-way roadway shall not be used for overtaking and 
  2.2   passing another vehicle. 
  2.3      (c) Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving 
  2.4   traffic to use a designated lane or allocating specified lanes 
  2.5   to traffic moving in the same direction, and drivers of vehicles 
  2.6   shall obey the directions of every such sign. 
  2.7      (d) Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a 
  2.8   roadway, any person operating a motor vehicle on such roadway 
  2.9   shall not drive in the bicycle lane except to park where parking 
  2.10  is permitted, to enter or leave the highway, or to prepare for a 
  2.11  turn as provided in section 169.19, subdivision 1. 
  2.12     (e) A vehicle must be driven in the right-hand lane 
  2.13  according to subdivision 10. 
  2.14     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 169.18, 
  2.15  subdivision 10, is amended to read: 
  2.16     Subd. 10.  [SLOW-MOVING VEHICLE VEHICLES DRIVEN IN 
  2.17  RIGHT-HAND LANE.] (a) Upon all roadways any, including freeways 
  2.18  and expressways as defined in section 160.02, a vehicle 
  2.19  proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time 
  2.20  and place and under the conditions then existing shall must be 
  2.21  driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as 
  2.22  close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the 
  2.23  roadway, if safe and practicable to do so, except: 
  2.24     (1) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding 
  2.25  in the same direction, or; 
  2.26     (2) when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or 
  2.27  into a private road or driveway, or; 
  2.28     (3) when a specific lane is designated and posted for a 
  2.29  specific type of traffic; 
  2.30     (4) when necessary to enter or exit an expressway, freeway, 
  2.31  interstate highway, or other controlled-access highway; 
  2.32     (5) when otherwise directed in a highway work zone, as 
  2.33  defined in section 169.14, subdivision 5d; 
  2.34     (6) when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer; 
  2.35  or 
  2.36     (7) when expressly allowed or required by other law. 
  3.1      (b) The commissioner of transportation shall erect 
  3.2   appropriate signs on interstate highways and freeways to 
  3.3   instruct motorists concerning paragraph (a).  
  3.4      Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 171.13, is 
  3.5   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  3.6      Subd. 1i.  [DRIVER'S MANUAL; RESTRICTED DRIVING IN LEFT 
  3.7   LANE.] The commissioner shall include in each edition of the 
  3.8   driver's manual published by the department after August 1, 
  3.9   2004, instructions relating to the requirement to drive a motor 
  3.10  vehicle in the right-hand lane and the circumstances when a 
  3.11  driver is allowed to drive in the left-most lane of a multilane 
  3.12  highway under section 169.18, subdivision 10.