2014 Kentucky Revised Statutes
CHAPTER 189 - TRAFFIC REGULATIONS -- VEHICLE EQUIPMENT AND STORAGE
189.340 Overtaking vehicles -- Traffic lanes -- Following vehicles.
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<![CDATA[189.340 Overtaking vehicles -- Traffic lanes -- Following vehicles.
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Vehicles overtaking other vehicles proceeding in the same direction shall pass
to the left of them and shall not again drive to the right until reasonably clear of
those vehicles. Vehicles overtaking streetcars may pass either to the right or
left when so directed by a police officer, when on a one (1) way street or where
the location of the tracks prevents compliance with this section, with regard for
other traffic.
The operator of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another
vehicle only under the following conditions:
(a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;
(b) Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two
(2) or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled
by the overtaking vehicle.
The operator of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the
right only under conditions permitting such movements in safety. Such
movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway unless passing vehicle
comes to a complete stop and such movement may be made safely.
No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in
overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction
unless the left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient
distance ahead to permit overtaking and passing to be completely made
without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the
opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken. In every event, the overtaking
vehicle must return to the right-hand side of the roadway before coming within
two hundred (200) feet of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.
The commissioner of highways is hereby authorized to determine those
portions of any highway where overtaking and passing or driving to the left of
the roadway would be especially hazardous and may by appropriate signs or
markings on the roadway indicate the beginning and end of such zones, and
when such signs or markings are in place and clearly visible to an ordinarily
observant person, every driver of a vehicle shall obey the directions thereof.
Whenever any roadway has been divided into three (3) clearly marked lanes
for travel, the following additional rules shall apply:
(a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as may be practical entirely within a
single lane and shall not be moved from that lane until the driver has first
ascertained that the movement can be made with safety;
(b) A vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking
and passing another vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and the
center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for a
left turn or where a center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic
moving in the direction in which the vehicle is proceeding and is
signposted to give notice of the allocation; and
(c) Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving traffic to use a
designated lane or allocating specified lanes to traffic moving in the same
direction and operators of vehicles shall obey the directions of such signs.
A vehicle shall not be driven in the left lane of any limited access highway of
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four (4) lanes or more with a posted speed limit of at least sixty-five (65) miles
per hour, except in overtaking a slower vehicle, yielding to traffic coming onto
such a highway, or when traffic conditions exist which would prohibit safe use
of the right or center lanes.
(a) The operator of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more
closely than is reasonable and prudent, having regard for the speed of the
vehicle and the traffic upon and condition of the highway.
(b) The operator of any motor truck, semitrailer truck, bus, or heavy
construction equipment unit, when traveling upon a highway outside of a
business or residential district, shall not follow within two hundred fifty
(250) feet of another such vehicle or equipment unit. This subsection shall
not prevent overtaking and passing, nor shall it apply to any lane specially
designated for use of motor trucks or semitrailer trucks, buses or heavy
construction equipment units.
Effective:June 26, 2007
History: Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 43, sec. 2, effective June 26, 2007. -Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 173, sec. 17, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended
1988 Ky. Acts ch. 245, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1988. -- Amended 1982 Ky.
Acts ch. 27, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1982. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 46,
sec. 5, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 74, Art. IV,
sec. 20(4). -- Amended 1964 Ky. Acts ch. 65, sec. 2. -- Amended 1962 Ky. Acts
ch. 288, sec. 1. -- Amended 1952 Ky. Acts ch. 206, sec. 2. -- Amended 1950 Ky.
Acts ch. 51, sec. 1. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective
October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 2739g-40.
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