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2018 SESSION
18102819DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 46.2-804 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 46.2-804. Special regulations applicable on highways laned for traffic; penalty.
A. For
the purposes of this section, "traffic lines" includes any temporary
traffic control devices used to emulate the lines and markings in subdivisions 6 and 7 B 5
and 6.
B. Whenever any roadway has been divided into clearly marked lanes for traffic, drivers of vehicles shall obey the following:
1. Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions existing, shall be driven in the lane nearest the right edge or right curb of the highway when such lane is available for travel except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or provided that such overtaking or passing will not impede traffic in the lane to which such vehicle is merging, (ii) in preparation for a left turn or where right lanes are reserved for slow-moving traffic as permitted in this section;
2. A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as is practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from that lane until the driver has ascertained that such movement can be made safely;
3. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 5 4,
on a highway which that
is divided into three lanes, no vehicle shall be driven in the center lane
except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or in preparation for a left
turn or unless such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic
moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding and is signed or marked to
give notice of such allocation. Traffic-control devices may be erected
directing specified traffic to use a designated lane or designating those lanes
to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of the center
of the roadway and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such
device;
4. The Commissioner of
Highways, or local authorities in their respective jurisdictions, may designate
right lanes for slow-moving vehicles and the Virginia Department of
Transportation shall post signs requiring trucks and combination vehicles to
keep to the right on Interstate Highway System components with no more than two
travel lanes in each direction where terrain is likely to slow the speed of such
vehicles climbing hills and inclines to a speed that is less than the posted
speed limit;
5.
Wherever a highway is marked with double traffic lines consisting of a solid
line immediately adjacent to a broken line, no vehicle shall be driven to the
left of such line if the solid line is on the right of the broken line, except
(i) when turning left for the purpose of entering or leaving a public, private,
or commercial road or entrance or (ii) in order to pass a pedestrian or a
device moved by human power, including a bicycle, skateboard, or foot-scooter,
provided such movement can be made safely. Where the middle lane of a highway
is marked on both sides with a solid line immediately adjacent to a broken
line, such middle lane shall be considered a left-turn or holding lane and it
shall be lawful to drive to the left of such line if the solid line is on the
right of the broken line for the purpose of turning left into any road or
entrance, provided that the vehicle may not travel in such lane further than 150
feet;
6. 5. Wherever a highway is marked
with double traffic lines consisting of two immediately adjacent solid yellow
lines, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of such lines, except (i) when
turning left or (ii) in order to pass a pedestrian or a device moved by human
power, including a bicycle, skateboard, or foot-scooter, provided such movement
can be made safely; and
7. 6. Whenever a highway is marked
with double traffic lines consisting of two immediately adjacent solid white
lines, no vehicle shall cross such lines; and
7. On a highway that is divided into at least two lanes in each direction, no vehicle shall be driven in the left-most lane whenever the operation of any other vehicle may be impeded by the use of such lane, except (i) when overtaking and passing another vehicle or (ii) in preparation for a left exit.
A violation of this section subsection is punishable by a
fine of $100.
C. The Commissioner of Highways, or local authorities in their respective jurisdictions, may designate right lanes for slow-moving vehicles, and the Virginia Department of Transportation shall post signs requiring trucks and combination vehicles to keep to the right on Interstate Highway System components with no more than two travel lanes in each direction where terrain is likely to slow the speed of such vehicles climbing hills and inclines to a speed that is less than the posted speed limit.