House Engrossed

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-first Legislature

Second Regular Session

2014

CHAPTER 23

HOUSE BILL 2027

AN ACT

amending sections 28-721 and 28-723, Arizona Revised Statutes; amending title 28, chapter 3, article 9, arizona revised statutes, by adding section 28-777; relating to driving on roadways.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 28-721, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE28-721. Driving on right side of roadway; driving on shoulder; exceptions

A. On all roadways of sufficient width, a person shall drive a vehicle on 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 the right half of a roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair.

3. On a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable on the roadway.

4. On a roadway designated and signposted for one‑way traffic.

B. On all roadways, a person driving a vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall drive the vehicle 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. In an age restricted community that is located in an unincorporated area of a county with a population of more than three million persons, a person may drive a golf cart or a neighborhood electric vehicle on a paved shoulder that is adjacent to a roadway or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of a paved roadway if there is no delineated paved shoulder. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Section 28-723, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE28-723. Overtaking a vehicle on the left

The following rules govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction:

1. The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of the vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.� Except as provided in section 28-903, The driver may overtake and pass a golf cart or neighborhood electric vehicle pursuant to this paragraph even if the driver's vehicle shares a lane with the golf cart or neighborhood electric vehicle when the overtaking and passing occur.

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 or blinking of head lamps at nighttime and shall not increase the speed of the overtaken vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle. END_STATUTE

Sec. 3. Title 28, chapter 3, article 9, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 28-777, to read:

START_STATUTE28-777. Golf carts and neighborhood electric vehicles; vehicles turning right

A person driving a golf cart or a neighborhood electric vehicle pursuant to section 28‑721, subsection C shall yield the right‑of‑way to a vehicle that is travelling in the same direction and that is intending to turn to the right. END_STATUTE