§ 42-4-1007 — Driving on roadways laned for traffic

Colorado § 42-4-1007

• Jurisdiction: Colorado
• Title 42: Vehicles and
• Art.: Regulation of Vehicles and Traffic

Text

(1) Whenever any roadway
has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the following
rules in addition to all others consistent with this section shall apply:

(a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single
lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained
that such movement can be made with safety.

(b) Upon a roadway which is divided into three lanes and provides for two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except
when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction where
the roadway is clearly visible and such center lane is clear of traffic within a safe
distance, or in preparation for a left turn, or where such center lane is at the time
allocated exclusively to the traffic moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding
and is designated by official traffic control devices to give notice of such allocation.
Under no condition shall an attempt be made to pass upon the shoulder or any
portion of the roadway remaining to the right of the indicated right-hand traffic
lane.

(c) Official 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.

(d) Official traffic control devices may be installed prohibiting the changing
of lanes on sections of roadway, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of
every such device.

(2) (a) The department of transportation may designate with signage an area
on a roadway not otherwise laned for traffic for use by commercial vehicles, as
defined in section 42-4-235 (1)(a), that are designed to transport sixteen or more
passengers, including the driver, and that are operated by a governmental entity or
government-owned business that transports the general public or by a contractor
on behalf of such an entity or government-owned business. Use of such an area is
limited to vehicles authorized by the department operating under conditions of use
established by the department but, subject to the conditions of use, the driver of an
authorized vehicle has sole discretion to decide whether or not to drive on such an
area based on the driver's assessment of the safety of doing so. The department
shall consult with the Colorado state patrol before granting authorization for use of
the area and establishing conditions of use. The department shall impose and each
authorized user shall acknowledge the conditions of use by written agreement, and
the department need not note the conditions of use in roadway signage. An
authorized user does not violate this section or section 42-4-1004 when operating in
accordance with the conditions of use for an area imposed by the department and
acknowledged by the user in a written agreement.

(b) The department of transportation shall work with local governmental
agencies in implementing the provisions of this subsection (2).

(3) A person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A
traffic infraction.

Legislative History

Source: L. 94: Entire title amended with relocations, p. 2360, � 1, effective January 1, 1995. L. 2016: (2) amended and (3) added, (HB 16-1008), ch. 8, p. 15, � 1, effective March 9.