THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY MILLER, GEIST, ARGALL, BARRAR, BEYER, BRIGGS, CLYMER, D. COSTA, DALEY, DePASQUALE, DeWEESE, EVERETT, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRELL, HENNESSEY, JOSEPHS, KORTZ, MAHONEY, MANN, MURT, M. O'BRIEN, PICKETT, PRESTON, REICHLEY, SANTONI, SCHRODER, SIPTROTH, STURLA, SWANGER, VITALI, VULAKOVICH, WALKO, WATSON AND HUTCHINSON, MARCH 25, 2009

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 25, 2009  

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 driving on roadways laned for traffic, 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] a condition 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)  Pedalcycles operating in accordance with

Chapter 35 (relating to special vehicles and

pedestrians).

(iii)  Pedalcycles using any portion of the available

roadway due to unsafe surface conditions.

(iv)  Pedalcycles on a roadway having width for 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 in a lane adjacent to that of the

pedalcycle if possible in accordance with section 3305

(relating to limitations on overtaking on the left) or within

not less than four feet at a careful and prudent reduced

speed.

* * *

Section 3.  Sections 3307(c) and 3309 of Title 75 are amended

to read:

§ 3307.  No-passing zones.

* * *

(c)  Application of section.--This section does not apply

[under]:

(1)  Under the conditions described in section 3301(a)(2)

and (5) (relating to driving on right side of roadway).

(2)  To overtaking pedalcycles in accordance with

sections 3303(a)(3) (relating to overtaking vehicle on the

left) and 3305 (relating to limitations on overtaking on the

left).

§ 3309.  Driving on roadways laned for traffic.

(a)  General rule.--Whenever any roadway has been divided

into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic the following

rules in addition to all others not inconsistent therewith shall

apply:

(1)  Driving within single lane.--A vehicle shall be

driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane

and shall not be moved from the lane until the driver has

first ascertained that the movement can be made with safety.

(2)  Three lane roadways.--Upon a roadway which is

divided into three lanes and provides for two-way movement of

traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane

except when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling

in the same direction when the center lane is clear of

traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for making

a left turn, or where the center lane is allocated

exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the

vehicle is proceeding and the allocation is designated by

official traffic-control devices.

(3)  Lanes limited to specific use.--Official traffic-

control devices may be erected to restrict the use of

specified lanes to specified classes or types of traffic or

vehicles, including multioccupant vehicles or car pools, and

drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such

device.

(4)  Prohibitions against changing lanes.--Official

traffic-control devices may be installed prohibiting the

changing of lanes on a section of roadway and drivers of

vehicles shall obey the directions of every such device.

(b)  Application of section.--This section does not apply to

overtaking pedalcycles in accordance with sections 3303(a)(3)

(relating to overtaking vehicle on the left) and 3305 (relating

to limitations on overtaking on the left).

Section 4.  Section 3331 of Title 75 is amended by adding a

subsection to read:

§ 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 5.  Section 3364(b) of Title 75 is amended and the

section is amended by adding a subsection to read:

§ 3364.  Minimum speed regulation.

* * *

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

reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance

with law, whenever any person drives a motor 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.

* * *

(d)  Application of section.--This section does not apply to

pedalcycles operating in accordance with Chapter 35 (relating to

special vehicles and pedestrians).

Section 6.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.