§ 32-5A-82 — Overtaking Vehicle on Left

The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions, and special rules hereinafter stated:
(1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
(2) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his or her vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
(3) For purposes of a vehicle overtaking and passing a bicycle, a safe distance shall mean not less than three feet on any of the following:
(a). A roadway that has a marked bicycle lane.
(b). A roadway without a marked bicycle lane if the roadway has a marked speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less and the roadway does not have a double yellow line separating cars from oncoming traffic indicating a no passing zone.
(4) Subdivision (3) shall only apply when a cyclist is riding within two feet of the right shoulder of the roadway.

Legislative History

(Acts 1980, No. 80-434, p. 604, §3-103; Act 2015-473, §1.)