SENATE 2nd Reading Unamended February 24, 2004 HOUSE 3rd Reading Unamended February 9, 2004 HOUSE Amended 2nd Reading February 6, 2004Second Regular Session Sixty-fourth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO REVISED This Version Includes All Amendments Adopted on Second Reading in the Second House LLS NO. 04-0371.01 Jery Payne HOUSE BILL 04-1076 HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Madden, Brophy, Hodge, and Rose SENATE SPONSORSHIP Arnold, House Committees Senate Committees Transportation & Energy Transportation A BILL FOR AN ACT Concerning a prohibition on driving motor vehicles in the passing lane except when appropriate. Bill Summary (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not necessarily reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted.) Prohibits driving in the passing lane of a rural or controlled-access highway except when passing or turning left, or when the volume of traffic does not permit the motor vehicle to safely return to a nonpassing lane. Defines relevant terms. Makes conforming amendments. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. Part 10 of article 4 of title 42, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read: 42-4-1013. Passing lane - definitions - penalty. (1) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle in the passing lane of a highway if the speed limit is sixty-five miles per hour or more unless such person is passing other motor vehicles that are in a nonpassing lane or turning left, or unless the volume of traffic does not permit the motor vehicle to safely merge into a nonpassing lane. (2) For the purposes of this section: (a) "Nonpassing lane" means any lane that is to the right of the passing lane if there are two or more adjacent lanes of traffic moving in the same direction in one roadway. (b) "Passing lane" means the farthest to the left lane if there are two or more adjacent lanes of traffic moving in the same direction in one roadway; except that if such left lane is restricted to high occupancy vehicle use or is designed for left turns only, the passing lane shall be the lane immediately to the right of such high occupancy lane or left-turn lane. (3) A person who violates this section commits a class A traffic infraction. SECTION 2. Effective date - applicability. This act shall take effect July 1, 2004, and shall apply to offenses committed on or after said date. SECTION 3. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.