DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY, OVERTAKING, FOLLOWING

Colorado Springs City Code ch. 10, art. 8

in effect

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.8.101 DRIVE ON RIGHT SIDE; EXCEPTIONS

10.8.101: DRIVE ON RIGHT SIDE; 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 the movement; 2. When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the street or highway; provided, that any person so doing shall yield the right of way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the street or highway within the distance as to constitute an immediate hazard; 3. Upon a roadway divided into three (3) lanes for traffic under the rules applicable; or 4. Upon a roadway designated 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 and 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 left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. C. Upon any roadway having four (4) or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the centerline of the roadway, except when authorized by official traffic control devices designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use the lanes, or except as permitted under subsection A2 of this section. This subsection does not prohibit the crossing of the centerline in making a left turn into or from an alley, private road, or driveway when the movement can be made in safety and without interfering with, impeding, or endangering other traffic lawfully using the highway. (1968 Code §6-8-1; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 88-151; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.8.102 PASSING ONCOMING VEHICLES

10.8.102: PASSING ONCOMING VEHICLES: 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. (1968 Code §6-8-2; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.8.103 OVERTAKING VEHICLE ON THE LEFT

10.8.103: OVERTAKING VEHICLE ON THE LEFT: A. The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left the other vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. B. 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 the driver's vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle. (1968 Code §6-8-3; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.8.104 WHEN OVERTAKING ON THE RIGHT IS PERMITTED

10.8.104: WHEN OVERTAKING ON THE RIGHT IS PERMITTED: A driver 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 giving indication of making a left turn; B. Upon a street with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles and marked for two (2) or more lanes of moving vehicles in the direction of travel of the passing vehicle; C. Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the roadway is free from obstructions and marked for two (2) or more lanes of moving vehicles. Under no condition shall an attempt be made to pass upon the shoulder of any portion of the roadway remaining to the right of the indicated right hand traffic lane. (1968 Code §6-8-4; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.8.105 LIMITATIONS ON OVERTAKING ON THE LEFT

10.8.105: LIMITATIONS ON OVERTAKING ON THE LEFT: A. 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 authorized by the provisions of this article, and unless the left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for sufficient distance ahead to permit overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction of any vehicle overtaken. B. In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable, and in the event the passing movement is made on highways outside a business or residence district and involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within two hundred feet (200') of any approaching vehicle. C. Except upon one-way roadways, 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 curve where the driver's view is obstructed within the distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction. 2. When approaching within one hundred feet (100') of or traversing any intersection or railroad crossing. 3. When the view is obstructed upon approaching within one hundred feet (100') of any bridge, viaduct or tunnel. D. Where signs or markings are in place to define a "no passing" zone, no driver shall at any time drive on the left side of any pavement striping designed to mark the "no passing" zone throughout its length except to turn left into or from an alley or driveway where the movement does not interfere with any traffic movement. (1968 Code §6-8-5; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 88-151; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.8.106 FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY

10.8.106: FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY: 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 the vehicles and the traffic upon and condition of the street or highway. B. The driver of any motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence 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 the space without danger, except that this shall not prevent a motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle from overtaking and passing any other vehicle. C. Motor vehicles being driven upon any roadway outside of a business or residence district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other vehicles, shall be operated so as to allow sufficient space between each vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable any other vehicle to enter and occupy the space without danger. This provision shall not apply to funeral processions. D. Factors which may, but need not, be considered in ascertaining a safe following distance on dry pavement include whether: 1. The driver of a motor vehicle failed to maintain at least a two (2) second following interval between the driver's vehicle and the one immediately preceding it. A "two (2) second following interval" means that at least two (2) seconds have elapsed between the moment when the rear of the preceding vehicle passes a stationary roadside object and the moment that the front of the following driver's vehicle passes the object, or 2. The driver of a vehicle failed to maintain a distance between the vehicle and the vehicle immediately preceding it of ten feet (10'), or one car length, for every ten (10) miles per hour of the driver's vehicular speed. Diminished visibility due to weather or time of day, and/or diminished traction conditions on the roadway due to weather, road surface or other conditions may indicate that drivers of motor vehicles should maintain greater distances between vehicles on the roadway. (1968 Code §6-8-6; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 00-62; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 06-52)

Source: City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, City Code and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/coloradospringsco/latest/coloradosprings_co/0-0-0-17911Fetched: 11/1/2026