Representative Stephanie Gricius proposes the following substitute bill:


1     
LANE FILTERING AMENDMENTS

2     
2024 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Stephanie Gricius

5     
Senate Sponsor: Don L. Ipson

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill amends the Traffic Code in relation to lane filtering.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     defines terms; and
13          ▸     clarifies that lane filtering is permitted on an off-ramp.
14     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
15          None
16     Other Special Clauses:
17          None
18     Utah Code Sections Affected:
19     AMENDS:
20          41-6a-704, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 219
21     

22     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23          Section 1. Section 41-6a-704 is amended to read:
24          41-6a-704. Overtaking and passing vehicles proceeding in same direction.
25          (1) As used in this section:
26          (a) (i) "Off-ramp" means the portion of a roadway that connects a freeway or limited
27     access highway to an intersection.
28          (ii) "Off-ramp" does not include the portion of a roadway that connects two controlled
29     access highways, two limited access highways, or a controlled access highway and a limited
30     access highway.
31          (b) (i) "On-ramp" means the portion of a roadway that connects an intersection to a
32     freeway or limited access highway.
33          (ii) "On-ramp" does not include the portion of a roadway that connects two controlled
34     access highways, two limited access highways, or a controlled access highway and a limited
35     access highway.
36          [(1)] (2) (a) Except as provided in Section 41-6a-718, on any highway:
37          (i) the operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same
38     direction shall:
39          (A) except as provided under Section 41-6a-705, promptly pass the overtaken vehicle
40     on the left at a safe distance; and
41          (B) enter a right-hand lane or the right side of the roadway only when safely clear of
42     the overtaken vehicle;
43          (ii) the operator of an overtaken vehicle:
44          (A) shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle; and
45          (B) may not increase the speed of the vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking
46     vehicle.
47          (b) The exemption from the minimum speed regulations for a vehicle operating on a
48     grade under Section 41-6a-605 does not exempt the vehicle from promptly passing a vehicle as
49     required under Subsection [(1)(a)(i)(A)] (2)(a)(i)(A).
50          [(2)] (3) On a highway having more than one lane in the same direction, the operator of
51     a vehicle traveling in the left general purpose lane:
52          (a) shall, upon being overtaken by another vehicle in the same lane, yield to the
53     overtaking vehicle by moving safely to a lane to the right; and
54          (b) may not impede the movement or free flow of traffic in the left general purpose
55     lane.
56          [(3)] (4) An operator of a vehicle traveling in the left general purpose lane that has a
57     vehicle following directly behind the operator's vehicle at a distance so that less than two
58     seconds elapse before reaching the location of the operator's vehicle when space is available for
59     the operator to yield to the overtaking vehicle by traveling in the right-hand lane is prima facie
60     evidence that the operator is violating Subsection [(2)] (3).
61          [(4)] (5) The provisions of Subsection [(2)] (3) do not apply to an operator of a vehicle
62     traveling in the left general purpose lane when:
63          (a) overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction in
64     accordance with Subsection [(1)(a)(i)] (2)(a)(i);
65          (b) preparing to turn left or taking a different highway or an exit on the left;
66          (c) responding to emergency conditions;
67          (d) avoiding actual or potential traffic moving onto the highway from an acceleration
68     or merging lane; or
69          (e) following the direction of a traffic-control device that directs the use of a designated
70     lane.
71          [(5)] (6) An individual may engage in lane filtering only when the following conditions
72     exist:
73          (a) the individual is operating a motorcycle;
74          (b) the individual is:
75          (i) on a roadway that is divided into two or more adjacent traffic lanes in the same
76     direction of travel; or
77          (ii) on an off-ramp that is divided into two or more adjacent traffic lanes in the same
78     direction of travel;
79          (c) the individual is:
80          (i) on a roadway with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less; or
81          (ii) on an off-ramp;
82          (d) the individual is not on an on-ramp;
83          [(d)] (e) the vehicle being overtaken in the same lane is stopped;
84          [(e)] (f) the motorcycle is traveling at a speed of 15 miles per hour or less; and
85          [(f)] (g) the movement may be made safely.
86          [(6)] (7) A violation of Subsection [(1), (2), or (5)] (2), (3), or (6) is an infraction.
87          Section 2. Effective date.
88          This bill takes effect on May 1, 2024.