NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1965 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 678

HOUSE BILL 227

 

 

AN ACT TO REQUIRE VEHICLES TO BE DRIVEN UPON THE RIGHT HALF OF THE ROADWAY WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS.

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

 

Section 1. G.S. 20-38, as the same appears in the 1963 Cumulative Supplement to the General Statutes, is hereby amended by adding a new subsection to be designated "(y)1." and to read as follows:

"(y)1.    Roadway. That portion of a highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder. In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways the term 'roadway' as used herein shall refer to any such roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively."

Sec. 2.  G.S. 20-146, as the same appears in the 1963 Cumulative Supplement to the General Statutes, is hereby amended by rewriting the same to read as follows:

"§ 20-146.  Drive on Right Side of Roadway; Exceptions. (a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway except as follows:

(1)        When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;

(2)        When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway; provided, any person so doing shall yield the right of way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;

(3)        Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; or

(4)        Upon a roadway designated and sign-posted for one-way traffic.

(b)        Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for thru traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn.

(c)        Upon any roadway having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center line of the roadway, except when authorized by official traffic control devices designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes or except as permitted under subsection (a)(2) hereof.

Sec. 3.  All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.

Sec. 4.  This Act shall be in full force and effect from and after July 1, 1965.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 25th day of May, 1965.