20120003ua

Session of 2012

No. 2012-3

 

HB 170

 

AN ACT

 

Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for driving on right side of roadway, for overtaking vehicle on the left, for no-passing zones, for required position and method of turning and for minimum speed regulation.

 

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

 

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Section 1.  Section 3301 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:

§ 3301.  Driving on right side of roadway.

(a)  General rule.--Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway except as follows:

(1)  When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction where permitted by the rules governing such movement.

(2)  When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the roadway, provided the driver yields the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the roadway within such distance as to constitute a hazard.

(3)  When and where official traffic-control devices are in place designating a lane or lanes to the left side of the center of the roadway for the movement indicated by the devices.

(4)  Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.

(5)  When making a left turn as provided in sections 3322 (relating to vehicle turning left) and 3331 (relating to required position and method of turning).

(6)  In accordance with section 3303(a)(3) (relating to overtaking vehicle on the left).

(b)  Vehicle proceeding at less than normal speed.--

(1)  Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into an alley, private road or driveway.

(2)  This subsection does not apply to [a]:

(i)  A driver who must necessarily drive in a lane other than the right-hand lane to continue on his intended route.

(ii)  A pedalcycle operating in accordance with Chapter 35 (relating to special vehicles and pedestrians).

(c)  Pedalcycles.--

(1)  Upon all roadways, any pedalcycle operating in accordance with Chapter 35, proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into an alley, private road or driveway.

(2)  This subsection does not apply to:

(i)  A pedalcycle using any portion of an available roadway due to unsafe surface conditions.

(ii)  A pedalcycle using a roadway that has a width of not more than one lane of traffic in each direction.

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Section 2.  Section 3303(a) of Title 75 is amended by adding a paragraph to read:

§ 3303.  Overtaking vehicle on the left.

(a)  General rule.--The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to the limitations, exceptions and special rules stated in this chapter:

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(3)  The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a pedalcycle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of the pedalcycle within not less than four feet at a careful and prudent reduced speed.

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Section 3.  Sections 3307 and 3331 of Title 75 are amended by adding subsections to read:

§ 3307.  No-passing zones.

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(b.1)  Overtaking pedalcycles.--It is permissible to pass a pedalcycle, if done in accordance with sections 3303(a)(3) (relating to overtaking vehicle on the left) and 3305 (relating to limitations on overtaking on the left).

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§ 3331.  Required position and method of turning.

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(e)  Interference with pedalcycles.--No turn by a driver of a motor vehicle shall interfere with a pedalcycle proceeding straight while operating in accordance with Chapter 35 (relating to special vehicles and pedestrians).

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Section 4.  Sections 3364(b) and 3505(c) of Title 75 are amended to read:

§ 3364.  Minimum speed regulation.

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(b)  Slow moving vehicle to drive off roadway.--

(1)  Except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law, whenever any person drives a vehicle upon a roadway having width for not more than one lane of traffic in each direction at less than the maximum posted speed and at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the driver shall, at the first opportunity when and where it is reasonable and safe to do so and after giving appropriate signal, drive completely off the roadway and onto the berm or shoulder of the highway. The driver may return to the roadway after giving appropriate signal only when the movement can be made in safety and so as not to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.

(2)  A pedalcycle may be operated at a safe and reasonable speed appropriate for the pedalcycle. A pedalcycle operator shall use reasonable efforts so as not to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.

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§ 3505.  Riding on roadways and pedalcycle paths.

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(c)  Slower than prevailing speeds.--A pedalcycle operated at slower than prevailing speed shall be operated in accordance with the provisions of section [3301(b)] 3301 (relating to driving on right side of roadway) unless it is unsafe to do so.

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Section 5.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.

 

APPROVED--The 2nd day of February, A.D. 2012.

 

TOM CORBETT