DRIVING AND PASSING

Salt Lake City Code tit. 12, ch. 12.44, art. I

in effect

Salt Lake City Code § 12.44.010 DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY REQUIRED; EXCEPTIONS

12.44.010: DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY REQUIRED; 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 the right half of a roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair; 3. Upon a roadway designed and signposted for one-way traffic. B. Upon all roadways, any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place under the conditions then existing shall be driven 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 lawful left turn. (Prior code title 46, art. 10 § 182)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.44.020 OVERTAKING AND PASSING VEHICLES PROCEEDING IN SAME DIRECTION

12.44.020: OVERTAKING AND PASSING VEHICLES PROCEEDING IN SAME DIRECTION: The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to the following provisions: A. The driver of a vehicle, overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, shall pass to the left at a safe distance and may not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. B. The driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle and may not increase the speed of his or her vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle. C. On a road having more than one lane in the same direction, the driver of a vehicle traveling in a left lane shall, upon being overtaken by another vehicle in the same lane, yield to the overtaking vehicle by moving safely to the right, and may not impede the movement or free flow of traffic in a left lane except: 1. When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing this movement; 2. When preparing to turn left; 3. When reasonably necessary in response to emergency conditions; 4. To avoid actual or potential traffic moving onto the right lane from an acceleration or merging lane; or 5. When necessary to follow the highway direction signs that direct use of a lane other than the right lane. D. Violation of this section is an infraction. (Ord. 21-03 § 2, 2003: Ord. 62-02 § 22, 2002: Ord. 88-86 § 68, 1986: prior code title 46, art. 10 § 184)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.44.030 PASSING VEHICLE PROCEEDING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION

12.44.030: PASSING VEHICLE PROCEEDING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION: Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right and, upon roadways having width for not more than one line of traffic in each direction, each driver shall give to the other at least one-half (1/2) of the main traveled portion of the roadway as nearly as possible. (Prior code title 46, art. 10 § 183)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.44.040 PASSING ON RIGHT AUTHORIZED WHEN

12.44.040: PASSING ON RIGHT AUTHORIZED WHEN: A. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: 1. When the driver of a vehicle overtaken is making or indicates he is about to make a left turn; 2. Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction. B. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and, allowing sufficient clearance, pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main traveled portion of roadway. (Prior code title 46, art. 10 § 185)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.44.050 PASSING ON THE LEFT; CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES

12.44.050: PASSING ON THE LEFT; CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES: No vehicle shall be driven to overtake or pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, on the left of the center of that portion of any street or highway designed for vehicular traffic, unless: A. 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; and B. The overtaking vehicle returns to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practical and, in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within two hundred feet (200') of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. (Prior code title 46, art. 10 § 186)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.44.060 LANED ROADWAY DRIVING PROCEDURES

12.44.060: LANED ROADWAY DRIVING PROCEDURES: 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: A. In the absence of an extenuating circumstance necessitating an emergency or safety related maneuver, a vehicle shall be driven entirely within a single lane, and shall not be moved from such lane or across a lane line without giving the right of way to vehicles in the lane to be entered, nor until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety and such driver has given the signal prescribed in section 12.44.140 of this chapter, or its successor. B. The city transportation engineer may erect signs directing slow moving traffic to use the lane nearest to the right hand edge of the roadway. C. Where a double centerline is painted on the roadway, no vehicle shall be driven along the street or highway to the left thereof. D. When any painted traffic marking is indicated as being "wet", no vehicle shall be driven on same. E. Motorcycles or motor driven cycles shall not be operated more than two (2) abreast in a single lane. F. All motorcycles and motor driven cycles are entitled to full use of a lane, and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle or motor driven cycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles or motor driven cycles operated two (2) abreast in a single lane. (Ord. 23-03 § 1, 2003: prior code title 46, art. 10 § 189)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.44.070 LIMITED ACCESS ROADWAYS; ENTRANCES AND EXITS

12.44.070: LIMITED ACCESS ROADWAYS; ENTRANCES AND EXITS: No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from any limited access road except at such entrances and exits as are designated and established by public authority. (Prior code title 46, art. 10 § 193)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.44.080 LIMITED ACCESS ROADWAYS; USE RESTRICTIONS

12.44.080: LIMITED ACCESS ROADWAYS; USE RESTRICTIONS: No pedestrian or other nonmotorized traffic, excluding bicyclists, shall use any limited access roadway except for the sole purpose of crossing the same in the shortest and most direct route, and then only at designated crossings, and such traffic shall yield the right of way to any motorized traffic proceeding upon the limited access roadway. Bicyclists may use the right shoulder of limited access highways except where prohibited by federal or state law or regulation or by an official sign giving notice of such restrictions. No driver shall stop a vehicle on any limited access roadway for the purpose of taking on or discharging any passenger. (Ord. 2-06 § 5, 2006: prior code title 46, art. 10 § 194)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.44.090 FOLLOWING OTHER VEHICLES; CARAVANS AND MOTORCADES

12.44.090: FOLLOWING OTHER VEHICLES; CARAVANS AND MOTORCADES: A. 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. B. The driver of any motor vehicle drawing another vehicle which is following another motor vehicle drawing another motor 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 vehicle drawing another vehicle from overtaking and passing any like vehicle or other vehicle. C. Motor vehicles being driven upon any roadway in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other vehicles, shall be so operated as to allow sufficient space between each such vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable any overtaking vehicle to enter and occupy such space without danger. This provision shall not apply to funeral processions or parades, as authorized in section 12.52.250 of this title, or its successor. (Prior code title 46, art. 10 § 190)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.44.100 DRIVING ON LEFT SIDE OF TWO-WAY ROADWAY PROHIBITED WHEN

12.44.100: DRIVING ON LEFT SIDE OF TWO-WAY ROADWAY PROHIBITED WHEN: A. No vehicle shall be driven along a highway to the left of the center of a two-way roadway under the following conditions: 1. When approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the roadway 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. Where approaching within one hundred feet (100') of or traversing any intersection or any railroad grade crossing; 3. Where the view is obstructed upon approaching within one hundred feet (100') of any bridge viaduct or tunnel; 4. Where a double centerline is painted on the roadway. B. The foregoing limitations shall not apply on a one-way roadway or where pavement markings or signs indicate otherwise. (Prior code title 46, art. 10 § 187)

Salt Lake City Code § 12.44.110 DRIVING IN DIVIDING SECTION PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS

12.44.110: DRIVING IN DIVIDING SECTION PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS: A. No vehicle shall be driven over, upon or across any "dividing section" of a street or highway, as defined herein, unless: 1. For the purpose of making a left turn, semicircular or U-turn through a plainly marked opening in such dividing section designed and designated for such turn; 2. For the purpose of making a left turn from a dividing section defined on each side by a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line; or 3. A sign authorized and displayed by the city transportation department or the state department of transportation shall otherwise indicate. B. As referred to in this section, "dividing section" shall consist of the following, when used to divide a street or highway into two (2) separate roadways: 1. An unpaved divided area; or 2. A physical barrier, curbs, or other clearly indicated dividing area so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic across the same; or 3. A dividing area of over two feet (2') in width defined by either: a. A standard double line marking on each side of the dividing area, each double line marking consisting of two (2) 4-inch wide lines four inches (4") apart, or b. Other marking, on each side of the dividing area, of a type designated by the city transportation department or state road commission to indicate no driving along a highway to the left thereof. (Prior code title 46, art. 10 § 191)

Source: Salt Lake City, Utah, City Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/saltlakecityut/latest/saltlakecity_ut/0-0-0-52818Fetched: 11/1/2026