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§ 21-309. Driving rules for laned roadways

West's Annotated Code of MarylandTransportation

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Transportation
Title 21. Vehicle Laws--Rules of the Road (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 3. Driving on Right Side of Roadway; Overtaking and Passing; Use of Roadway (Refs & Annos)
MD Code, Transportation, § 21-309
§ 21-309. Driving rules for laned roadways
Currentness
In general
(a) On any roadway that is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic, the following rules, in addition to any others consistent with them, apply.
Vehicle required to be driven within single lane
(b) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and may not be moved from that lane or moved from a shoulder or bikeway into a lane until the driver has determined that it is safe to do so.
Vehicles driven in center lane of three laned roadway
(c) On a roadway that is divided into three lanes and that provides for two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle may not be driven in the center lane except:
(1) While overtaking and passing another vehicle going in the same direction and while the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance;
(2) In preparing to make a left turn; or
(3) When the center lane is allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the vehicle is going and the allocation is designated by a traffic control device.
Obedience to traffic control devices designating lane use
(d) The driver of a vehicle shall obey the directions of each traffic control device that directs specified traffic to use a designated lane or that designates those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction, regardless of the center of the roadway.
Obedience to traffic control devices prohibiting lane changes
(e) The driver of a vehicle shall obey the directions of each traffic control device that prohibits changing lanes on sections of a roadway.
Obedience to traffic control devices designating lanes for trucks, truck trailers, or buses
(f) On a roadway that has two or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction, the driver of any truck, truck tractor, trailer, or bus shall obey the directions of each traffic control device that requires the vehicle to be driven in a certain lane.
Use of left turn lanes provided through traffic control devices
(g) On a roadway along which a two-way left turn lane has been provided through traffic control devices, vehicles may not enter that lane except when preparing for or making a left turn from or into the roadway or when preparing for or making a U-turn, and may enter only if the lane is clear of an opposing movement.
Vehicles driven within lane shortest distance practicable prior to making left turn
(h) A vehicle shall be driven within a lane described under subsection (g) of this section the shortest distance practicable prior to making a left turn or U-turn or after making a left turn.
Left turns from left turn lane only
(i) On roadways along which a two-way left turn lane has been placed, left turns shall be made only from within such lane.

Credits

Added by Acts 1977, c. 14, § 2, eff. July 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1977, c. 543, § 2; Acts 1982, c. 171; Acts 1982, c. 472, § 1; Acts 1998, c. 360, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1998.
Formerly Art. 66 ½, § 11-309.
MD Code, Transportation, § 21-309, MD TRANS § 21-309
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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