2017 Montana Legislature

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HOUSE BILL NO. 267

INTRODUCED BY F. GARNER, D. FERN, E. GREEF

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING LAWS RELATED TO BICYCLE SAFETY AND PASSING VEHICLES; REQUIRING A MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR OVERTAKING AND PASSING A PERSON RIDING A BICYCLE TO LEAVE A REASONABLE AND PRUDENT DISTANCE BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND THE BICYCLE; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 61-8-320 AND 61-8-321, MCA."

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

 

     Section 1.  Section 61-8-320, MCA, is amended to read:

     "61-8-320.  Right-of-way for bicycles. (1) The operator of a motor vehicle may not:

     (a)  intentionally interfere with the movement of a person who is lawfully riding a bicycle; or

     (b)  overtake and pass a person riding a bicycle unless the operator of the motor vehicle can do so safely without endangering the person riding the bicycle by leaving a reasonable and prudent distance between the vehicle and the bicycle. The distance must be presumed to be reasonable and prudent if it is at least 3 feet when the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 35 miles an hour or less or at least 5 feet when the vehicle is traveling at a speed greater than 35 miles an hour.

     (2)  The operator of a motor vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a person who is riding a bicycle within a designated bicycle lane."

 

     Section 2.  Section 61-8-321, MCA, is amended to read:

     "61-8-321.  Drive on right side of roadway -- exceptions. (1) Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle must be operated upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:

     (a)  when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing the passing movement;

     (b)  when the right half of a roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair;

     (c)  upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable on a divided roadway;

     (d)  upon a roadway designated by official traffic control devices for one-way traffic;

     (e)  when the operator of a vehicle is complying with the provisions of 61-8-320 or 61-8-346; or

     (f)  when an obstruction exists that makes it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the roadway.

     (2)  A person operating a vehicle to the left of the center of the roadway for any of the reasons provided in subsection (1) shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the roadway that are within a distance that constitutes an immediate hazard.

     (3)  A vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing must be operated in the right-hand lane then available for 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 at an intersection or into a private road or driveway."

- END -

 


Latest Version of HB 267 (HB0267.02)
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