2022 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Chapter 19: OPERATION
Subchapter 1: RULES OF THE ROAD
29-A §2051. Traffic lanes

§2051. Traffic lanes

When a public way has been divided into 2 or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the following provisions apply.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

1.  Single lane.  A vehicle must be operated as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane.  

[PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §27 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

1-A.  Movement from lane.  A vehicle may not be moved from a lane until the operator has first ascertained that the movement can be made with safety.  

[PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §28 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

2.  Two-way lane.  On a public way that is divided into more than 2 lanes and one of those lanes provides for 2-way movement of traffic, a vehicle may not be operated in that lane except:  

A. When overtaking and passing another vehicle when the way is clearly visible and the 2-way traffic lane is clear of traffic for a safe distance, unless an official sign or traffic control device limits the use of that lane to turning only;   [PL 2007, c. 8, §1 (AMD).]

B. In preparation for a left turn from the 2-way traffic lane;   [PL 2007, c. 8, §1 (AMD).]

C. When the 2-way traffic lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding and is posted to give notice of that allocation; or   [PL 2007, c. 8, §1 (AMD).]

D. As part of a 2-part turn when the vehicle turning left from a driveway or entrance uses the 2-way traffic lane until the travel lane in the direction the vehicle is proceeding can be entered safely by the vehicle.   [PL 2007, c. 8, §1 (NEW).]

[PL 2007, c. 8, §1 (AMD).]

3.  Signs.  An operator shall obey an official sign or traffic control device:  

A. Directing slowly moving traffic to use a designated lane;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

B. Designating a lane to be used by turning traffic or traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of the center of the way; or   [PL 1997, c. 653, §8 (AMD).]

C. Prohibiting the changing of lanes on sections of a public way.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

[PL 1997, c. 653, §8 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 1997, c. 653, §§7,8 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 452, §§Q27,28 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 452, §X2 (AFF). PL 2007, c. 8, §1 (AMD).