EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0768*
SENATE BILL 768
R5 4lr2775
CF HB 298
By: Senator Folden
Introduced and read first time: February 1, 2024
Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Vehicle Laws – Lanes of Travel – Slower Traffic and Overtaking and Passing 2
(Highway Left Lane Safety Act) 3
FOR the purpose of expanding to every roadway in the State a requirement that a driver 4
of a vehicle traveling slower than the general speed of traffic drive the vehicle in the 5
right–hand lanes under certain circumstances; providing that, on a roadway that has 6
three or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction with a certain posted 7
maximum speed limit, the far left lane may be used only for overtaking and passing 8
another vehicle in a certain manner and under certain circumstances; and generally 9
relating to driving in the right–hand lanes of roadways and the overtaking and 10
passing of vehicles in the left–hand lane. 11
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 12
Article – Transportation 13
Section 21–301(b) and 21–303 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 16
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 17
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 18
Article – Transportation 19
21–301. 20
(b) (1) On every roadway, except while overtaking and passing another vehicle 21
going in the same direction or when preparing for a lawful left turn, any vehicle going 10 22
miles per hour or more below the applicable maximum speed limit or, if any existing 23
conditions reasonably require a speed below that of the applicable maximum, at less than 24
the normal speed of traffic under these conditions, shall be driven in the right–hand lane 25
then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right–hand curb or edge of the 26 2 SENATE BILL 768
roadway. 1
(2) (i) [1. In this paragraph the following words have the meanings 2
indicated. 3
2. “Interstate highway” has the meaning stated in § 8–101(j) 4
of this article. 5
3. “Rural area” means an area outside the fixed boundaries 6
of an urban area as defined under § 8–507 of this article. 7
(ii) 1.] On [an interstate highway located in a rural area] EVERY 8
ROADWAY, a driver of a vehicle traveling slower than the general speed of traffic, if 9
practicable as determined by the driver, shall drive in the right–hand lane or lanes. 10
[2. A. This paragraph establishes the policy of the State 11
and guidance with respect to the rules of the road. 12
B. A person may not be issued a citation for a violation of this 13
paragraph. 14
(iii)] (II) The Administration shall include the requirement under 15
subparagraph [(ii)] (I) of this paragraph in the State’s driver education curriculum. 16
[(iv)] (III) The State Highway Administration shall inform drivers of 17
the requirement under subparagraph [(ii)] (I) of this paragraph: 18
1. By placing and maintaining signs at regular intervals on 19
appropriate highways; and 20
2. Through the dynamic message sign sy stem located 21
throughout the State. 22
21–303. 23
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, this section governs the 24
overtaking and passing of vehicles going in the same direction. 25
(b) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle that is going in the same 26
direction shall pass to the left of the overtaken vehicle at a safe distance. 27
(c) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle that is going in the same 28
direction, until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle, may not drive any part of [his] THE 29
DRIVER’S vehicle directly in front of the overtaken vehicle. 30
(d) (1) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the 31 SENATE BILL 768 3
driver of an overtaken vehicle, on audible signal, shall give way to the right in favor of the 1
overtaking vehicle. 2
(2) (I) NOTWITHSTANDING PARAG RAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 3
ON A ROADWAY THAT HA S THREE OR MORE LANES FOR TR AFFIC MOVING IN THE 4
SAME DIRECTION AND W ITH A POSTED MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MILES PER 5
HOUR OR MORE , A DRIVER MAY USE THE FAR LEFT LANE ONLY FOR OVERTAKING 6
AND PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND , AFTER OVERTAKING AND PASSING THE 7
OTHER VEHICLE , SHALL RETURN TO THE RIGHT LANE AS SOON A S IT IS REASONABLY 8
SAFE TO DO SO. 9
(II) SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH DO ES NOT APPLY 10
TO: 11
1. A VEHICLE IN THE FAR LEFT LANE PREPARING FOR A 12
LEFT TURN OR LEFT EX IT; 13
2. A VEHICLE IN A HIGH OC CUPANCY VEHICLE LANE IF: 14
A. THE HIGH OCCUPANCY VE HICLE LANE IS A SING LE 15
LANE MOVING IN ONE D IRECTION; AND 16
B. THE HIGH OCCUPANCY VE HICLE RESTRICTIONS A RE 17
IN EFFECT; OR 18
3. TRAFFIC CONDITIONS TH AT REQUIRE THE USE O F 19
ALL ROADWAY LANES . 20
(e) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of 21
an overtaken vehicle, until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle, may not increase 22
the speed of [his] THE DRIVER’S vehicle. 23
(F) A PERSON WHO IS CONVIC TED OF A VIOLATION O F SUBSECTION (D)(2)(I) 24
OF THIS SECTION IS S UBJECT TO: 25
(1) FOR A FIRST OFFENSE , A FINE OF $75; 26
(2) FOR A SECOND OFFENSE , A FINE OF $150; AND 27
(3) FOR A THIRD OR S UBSEQUENT OFFENSE , A FINE OF $250. 28
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 29
October 1, 2024. 30