Enrolled Copy H.B. 311
1 LANE FILTERING AMENDMENTS
2024 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Stephanie Gricius Senate Sponsor: Don L. Ipson
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3 LONG TITLE
4 General Description:
5 This bill amends the Traffic Code in relation to lane filtering.
6 Highlighted Provisions:
7 This bill:
8 ▸ defines terms; and
9 ▸ clarifies that lane filtering is permitted on an off-ramp.
10 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
11 None
12 Other Special Clauses:
13 None
14 Utah Code Sections Affected:
15 AMENDS:
16 41-6a-704, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 219
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18 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
19 Section 1. Section 41-6a-704 is amended to read:
20 41-6a-704 . Overtaking and passing vehicles proceeding in same direction.
21 (1) As used in this section:
22 (a) (i) "Off-ramp" means the portion of a roadway that connects a freeway or limited
23 access highway to an intersection.
24 (ii) "Off-ramp" does not include the portion of a roadway that connects two
25 controlled access highways, two limited access highways, or a controlled access
26 highway and a limited access highway.
27 (b) (i) "On-ramp" means the portion of a roadway that connects an intersection to a
28 freeway or limited access highway.
H.B. 311 Enrolled Copy
29 (ii) "On-ramp" does not include the portion of a roadway that connects two controlled
30 access highways, two limited access highways, or a controlled access highway
31 and a limited access highway.
32 [(1)] (2) (a) Except as provided in Section 41-6a-718, on any highway:
33 (i) the operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same
34 direction shall:
35 (A) except as provided under Section 41-6a-705, promptly pass the overtaken
36 vehicle on the left at a safe distance; and
37 (B) enter a right-hand lane or the right side of the roadway only when safely clear
38 of the overtaken vehicle;
39 (ii) the operator of an overtaken vehicle:
40 (A) shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle; and
41 (B) may not increase the speed of the vehicle until completely passed by the
42 overtaking vehicle.
43 (b) The exemption from the minimum speed regulations for a vehicle operating on a
44 grade under Section 41-6a-605 does not exempt the vehicle from promptly passing a
45 vehicle as required under Subsection [(1)(a)(i)(A)] (2)(a)(i)(A).
46 [(2)] (3) On a highway having more than one lane in the same direction, the operator of a
47 vehicle traveling in the left general purpose lane:
48 (a) shall, upon being overtaken by another vehicle in the same lane, yield to the
49 overtaking vehicle by moving safely to a lane to the right; and
50 (b) may not impede the movement or free flow of traffic in the left general purpose lane.
51 [(3)] (4) An operator of a vehicle traveling in the left general purpose lane that has a vehicle
52 following directly behind the operator's vehicle at a distance so that less than two
53 seconds elapse before reaching the location of the operator's vehicle when space is
54 available for the operator to yield to the overtaking vehicle by traveling in the right-hand
55 lane is prima facie evidence that the operator is violating Subsection [(2)] (3).
56 [(4)] (5) The provisions of Subsection [(2)] (3) do not apply to an operator of a vehicle
57 traveling in the left general purpose lane when:
58 (a) overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction in
59 accordance with Subsection [(1)(a)(i)] (2)(a)(i);
60 (b) preparing to turn left or taking a different highway or an exit on the left;
61 (c) responding to emergency conditions;
62 (d) avoiding actual or potential traffic moving onto the highway from an acceleration or
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Enrolled Copy H.B. 311
63 merging lane; or
64 (e) following the direction of a traffic-control device that directs the use of a designated
65 lane.
66 [(5)] (6) An individual may engage in lane filtering only when the following conditions
67 exist:
68 (a) the individual is operating a motorcycle;
69 (b) the individual is:
70 (i) on a roadway that is divided into two or more adjacent traffic lanes in the same
71 direction of travel; or
72 (ii) on an off-ramp that is divided into two or more adjacent traffic lanes in the same
73 direction of travel;
74 (c) the individual is:
75 (i) on a roadway with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less; or
76 (ii) on an off-ramp;
77 (d) the individual is not on an on-ramp;
78 [(d)] (e) the vehicle being overtaken in the same lane is stopped;
79 [(e)] (f) the motorcycle is traveling at a speed of 15 miles per hour or less; and
80 [(f)] (g) the movement may be made safely.
81 [(6)] (7) A violation of Subsection [(1), (2), or (5)] (2), (3), or (6) is an infraction.
82 Section 2. Effective date.
83 This bill takes effect on May 1, 2024.
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Statutes affected: Introduced:
Enrolled:
H.B. 311 1st Substitute (Not Adopted) Text: