1 HB505
2 210922-3
3 By Representative Pettus
4 RFD: Public Safety and Homeland Security
5 First Read: 04-MAR-21
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 HB505
1
2 ENROLLED, An Act,
3 Relating to rules of the road; to amend Section
4 32-5A-80, as amended by Act 2019-515 (2019 Regular Session),
5 to require the Department of Transportation to install
6 appropriate signs giving notice of the restrictions against
7 driving a vehicle in the leftmost lane.
8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
9 Section 1. Section 32-5A-80, as amended by Act
10 2019-515 (2019 Regular Session), is amended to read as
11 follows:
12 "32-5A-80.
13 "(a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a
14 vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway,
15 except under any of the following conditions:
16 "(1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle
17 proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing
18 such movement.
19 "(2) When an obstruction exists making it necessary
20 to drive to the left of the center of the highway; provided,
21 any person doing so shall yield the right-of-way to all
22 vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the
23 unobstructed portion of the highway within such distance as to
24 constitute an immediate hazard.
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1 "(3) Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes
2 for traffic under the rules applicable thereon.
3 "(4) Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.
4 "(b) Upon all roadways, any vehicle proceeding at
5 less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place
6 and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the
7 right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as
8 practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway,
9 except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding
10 in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an
11 intersection or into a private road or driveway.
12 "(c) Upon any roadway having four or more lanes for
13 moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic,
14 no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center line of
15 the roadway, except when authorized by official
16 traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the left
17 side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not
18 otherwise permitted to use such lanes, or except as permitted
19 under subdivision (a)(2). However, this subsection shall not
20 be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the center line in
21 making a left turn into or from an alley, private road, or
22 driveway.
23 "(d)(1) Upon any interstate highway, except as
24 provided in subdivision (2), a vehicle may not remain in the
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1 leftmost lane for more than 1.5 miles without completely
2 passing another vehicle.
3 "(2) A vehicle may travel in the leftmost lane under
4 any of the following conditions:
5 "a. When traffic conditions or congestion make it
6 necessary to operate a vehicle in the leftmost lane.
7 "b. When inclement weather, obstructions, or hazards
8 make it necessary to operate a vehicle in the leftmost lane.
9 "c. When compliance with a law, rule, ordinance, or
10 traffic control device makes it necessary to operate a vehicle
11 in the leftmost lane.
12 "d. When exiting a roadway to the left.
13 "e. When paying a toll or user fee at a toll
14 collection facility.
15 "f. If the vehicle is an authorized emergency
16 vehicle operated in the course of duty.
17 "g. If the vehicle is operated or used in the course
18 of highway maintenance or construction or is traveling through
19 a construction zone.
20 "(3) Until October 31, 2019, a law enforcement
21 officer may issue only a warning citation for a violation of
22 this subsection.
23 "(3) The Department of Transportation shall cause to
24 be installed appropriate signs giving notice of this
25 subsection. The department shall place the signs within the
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1 first two miles of the beginning of any interstate highway in
2 the state and, where practical, every 50 miles thereafter, and
3 at any intersection of interstate highways.
4 At its discretion, the department may adjust
5 placement of a sign to a location beyond an on-ramp if it
6 falls within close proximity to a specified 50-mile increment,
7 and may adjust placement to avoid conflicts with existing
8 signage already in place along the interstate corridor."
9 Section 2. This act shall become effective on the
10 first day of the third month following its passage and
11 approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.
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1
2
3
4 Speaker of the House of Representatives
5
6 President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
7 House of Representatives
8 I hereby certify that the within Act originated in
9 and was passed by the House 07-APR-21.
10
11 Jeff Woodard
12 Clerk
13
14
15 Senate 06-MAY-21 Amended and Passed
Concurred in Sen-
16 House 17-MAY-21
ate Amendment
17
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