41-6a-710. Roadway divided into marked lanes -- Provisions -- Traffic-control devices.

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 5/6/2026

On a roadway divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic the following provisions apply and any violation of this section is an infraction:

(a)Except as provided in Subsection (1)(c) , a person operating a vehicle:

(i)shall keep the vehicle as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane; and

(ii)may not move the vehicle from the lane until the operator has reasonably determined the movement can be made safely.

(b)A determination under Subsection (1)(a)(ii) is reasonable if a reasonable person acting under the same conditions and having regard for actual and potential hazards then existing would determine that the movement could be made safely.

(c)Subsection (1)(a) does not apply to:

(i)an individual operating a motorcycle engaging in lane filtering as described in Section 41-6a-704 ;

(ii)a school bus that temporarily impedes a parking or bike lane while operating along the school bus's planned route and schedule; or

(iii)a public transit vehicle, as defined in Section 17B-2a-802 , that temporarily impedes a parking or bike lane while loading or unloading passengers, or making an operational adjustment, along the public transit vehicle's planned route and schedule.

(a)On a roadway divided into three or more lanes and providing for two-way movement of traffic, a person operating a vehicle may not drive in the center lane except:

(i)when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction, and when the center lane is:

(A)clear of traffic within a safe distance; and

(B)not a two-way left turn lane;

(ii)in preparation of making or completing a left turn in compliance with Section 41-6a-801 ; or

(iii)where the center lane is allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the vehicle is proceeding as indicated by traffic-control devices.

(b)Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a)(i) and in accordance with Subsection (1)(a) , a person operating a vehicle may drive in a center lane that is a two-way left turn lane if:

(i)the center lane is:

(A)on a roadway divided into three or more lanes that provides for two-way movement of traffic; and

(B)clear of traffic within a safe distance;

(ii)there is only one lane of travel in the direction the person operating the vehicle is traveling; and

(iii)the person operating the vehicle is overtaking and passing a bicycle or moped that is moving at less than the reasonable speed of traffic that is present.

(a)A highway authority may erect traffic-control devices 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.

(b)An operator of a vehicle shall obey the directions of a traffic-control device erected under Subsection (3)(a) .

(a)A person operating a motor vehicle may not drive within a bicycle lane except:

(i)to cross a bicycle lane when turning into an intersection, street, alley, driveway, or other parking area;

(ii)when responding to striping, traffic control devices, or emergency conditions; or

(iii)while operating:

(A)an authorized emergency vehicle;

(B)a snow removal vehicle;

(C)a vehicle providing municipal-type services, as defined in Section 19-3-303 ;

(D)a school bus or transit vehicle, as defined in Section 17B-2a-802 , to load or unload passengers, or make an operational adjustment, along the school bus's or transit vehicle's planned route and schedule; or

(E)a vehicle used by a postal service, as defined in Section 76-6-1001 .

(b)A person operating a motor vehicle within a bicycle lane as described in Subsection (4)(a)(i) shall yield the right of way to all bicycle traffic within the lane.

Amended by Chapter 432 , 2026 General Session