THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY MILLER, CLYMER, EVERETT, FLECK, GINGRICH, GRELL, HENNESSEY, HUTCHINSON, KNOWLES, MAJOR, MICOZZIE, READSHAW, SWANGER, VULAKOVICH, WATSON AND QUINN, JANUARY 24, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, JANUARY 24, 2011  

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:

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.

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:

* * *

(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.

* * *

Section 3.  Sections 3307 and 3331 of Title 75 are amended by

adding subsections to read:

§ 3307.  No-passing zones.

* * *

(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).

* * *

§ 3331.  Required position and method of turning.

* * *

(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).

Section 4.  Sections 3364(b) and 3505(c) of Title 75 are

amended to read:

§ 3364.  Minimum speed regulation.

* * *

(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.

* * *

§ 3505.  Riding on roadways and pedalcycle paths.

* * *

(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.

* * *

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