Upon all roadways, the driver of a vehicle shall drive 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 the right half of the roadway is closed to traffic while under
construction or repair;
(3) Upon a roadway divided into three (3) marked lanes for traffic, under
rules applicable therein; or
(4) Upon a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic.
(1987 Code, ch. 9, sec. 8A; 2004
Code, sec. 12.801)
Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall
pass each other to the right, and upon roadways having width for not
more than one (1) line of traffic in each direction, each driver shall
give to the other at least one-half of the main traveled portion of
the roadway.
(1987 Code, ch. 9, sec. 8B; 2004
Code, sec. 12.802)
The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing
of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations,
exceptions and special rules hereinafter stated:
(1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in
the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance
and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely
clear of the overtaken vehicle.
(2) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the
driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor
of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase
the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking
vehicle.
(1987 Code, ch. 9, sec. 8C; 2004
Code, sec. 12.803)
(a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another
vehicle only under the following conditions:
(1) When the vehicle overtaken is making or has signaled to make a left
turn.
(2) Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied
by parked vehicles of sufficient [width] for two (2) or more lines
[of moving vehicles in each direction].
(3) Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted
to one (1) direction of movement, when the roadway is free from obstruction
and of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of moving traffic.
(b) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon
the right only on conditions permitting such movement in safety. In
no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or
main traveled portion of the roadway.
(1987 Code, ch. 9, sec. 8D; 2004
Code, sec. 12.804)
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 such left side is clearly visible and is
free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit
such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering
with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite
direction of the 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.
(1987 Code, ch. 9, sec. 8E; 2004
Code, sec. 12.805)
(a) No vehicle shall at any time be driven to the left side of the roadway
under the following conditions:
(1) When approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve in a street
or highway where the driver’s view is obstructed within such
distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might
approach from the opposite direction.
(2) When approaching within one hundred (100) feet of or while traversing
any intersection.
(3) When the view is obstructed upon approaching within one hundred (100)
feet of any bridge, viaduct or tunnel.
(b) The foregoing limitations shall not apply upon a one-way street.
(1987 Code, ch. 9, sec. 8F; 2004
Code, sec. 12.806)
Whenever any roadway has been divided into two (2) or more clearly
marked lanes for traffic, the following rules, in addition to all
others consistent herewith, shall apply:
(1) The driver of any vehicle shall drive as nearly as practical entirely
within a single lane and the vehicle shall not be moved from such
lane until the driver first ascertains that such movement can be safely
made.
(2) Upon a roadway which has been divided into three (3) lanes, the driver
of the vehicle shall not drive in the center lane except when overtaking
and passing another vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and
such center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in
preparation for a left turn, or when such center lane is at the time
allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction the vehicle
is proceeding and is marked to give notice of such allocation.
(3) Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving 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,
and drivers of vehicles shall obey the direction of every such sign.
(1987 Code, ch. 9, sec. 8G; 2004
Code, sec. 12.807)
(a) The governing body may designate any alley, street or highway for
one-way traffic, and it shall be the duty of the chief of police to
erect upon any roadway so designated appropriate signs giving notice
thereof.
(b) The governing body shall have the authority to designate for one-way
by resolution and to erect appropriate signs giving notice thereof:
(1) Any section of roadway specifically designed for one-way operation,
such as interchange roadways which are remotely separated for overpass
purposes.
(2) Those access drives which require one-way operation for convenience
or safety.
(c) Upon a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic, the
driver of a vehicle shall drive only in the direction so designated.
(d) The driver of a vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island shall
drive only to the right of such island.
(1987 Code, ch. 9, sec. 8H; 2004
Code, sec. 12.808)
(a) Generally.
(1) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more
closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the
speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the
street or highway.
(2) Proof of collision by the front end of one (1) vehicle with the rear end of another vehicle, both of which had immediately been proceeding in a forward direction, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of subsection
(1) above, by the driver of the vehicle first mentioned.
(b) Vehicles drawing another vehicle.
The driver of any
motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle, when traveling
upon a roadway outside of a business or residential district and which
is following another motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another
vehicle, shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space
so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without
danger, except that this shall not prevent a motor truck or motor
vehicle drawing another vehicle from overtaking and passing any like
vehicle or other vehicle.
(c) Vehicles in caravan or motorcade.
Motor vehicles being
drawn [driven] upon any roadway outside of a business or residential
district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other vehicles,
shall be so operated as to allow sufficient space between such vehicles
or combination of vehicles as to allow any other vehicle to enter
and occupy such space without danger. This provision shall not apply
to a funeral procession.
(1987 Code, ch. 9, sec. 8I; 2004
Code, sec. 12.809)
Whenever any street or highway has been divided into two (2)
or more roadways by leaving an intervening space or by physical barrier
or clearly indicated dividing section so constructed as to impede
vehicular traffic, every vehicle shall be driven only upon the right-hand
roadway and no vehicle shall be driven over, across or within any
such dividing space, barrier or divided section except through an
opening in such physical barrier or divided section or space or at
a cross-over or intersection established by public authority.
(1987 Code, ch. 9, sec. 8J; 2004
Code, sec. 12.810)