HB-6414, As Passed House, September 18, 2008
SUBSTITUTE FOR
HOUSE BILL NO. 6414
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled
"Michigan vehicle code,"
by amending section 642 (MCL 257.642) and by adding sections 20b
and 20c.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 20b. "High-occupancy vehicle" or "HOV" means any motor
vehicle carrying no fewer than 2 occupants including the driver of
the vehicle.
Sec. 20c. "High-occupancy vehicle lane" or "HOV lane" means
any designated lane or ramp on a highway designated for the
exclusive or preferential use of a public transportation vehicle or
private motor vehicles carrying no fewer than a specified number of
occupants, including the driver of the vehicle.
Sec. 642. (1) When a roadway has been divided into 2 or more
clearly marked lanes for traffic the following rules in addition to
all others consistent with this act shall apply:
(a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable
entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane
until the driver has first ascertained that the movement can be
made with safety. Upon a roadway with 4 or more lanes which
provides for 2-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall be driven
within the extreme right-hand lane except when overtaking and
passing, but shall not cross the center line of the roadway except
where making a left turn.
(b) Upon a roadway which is divided into 3 lanes and provides
for 2-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in the
center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle
traveling in the same direction, when the center lane is clear of
traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for a left turn,
or where the center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to
traffic moving in the same direction the vehicle is proceeding and
the allocation is designated by official traffic control devices.
(c) Official traffic control devices may be erected directing
specified 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 directions of the traffic-control device.
(d) Official traffic-control devices may be installed
prohibiting the changing of lanes on sections of roadway, and
drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of the traffic-
House Bill No. 6414 (H-1) as amended September 18, 2008
control devices.
(2) When any lane has been designated as an HOV lane under
section 1 of 1951 PA 51, MCL 247.651, and has been appropriately
marked with signs and pavement markings, the lane shall be reserved
during the periods indicated for the exclusive use of buses and
HOVs. The restrictions imposed on HOV lanes do not apply to any of
the following:
(a) Emergency vehicles, including, but not limited to,
firefighting vehicles, ambulances, and rescue squad vehicles.
(b) Law enforcement vehicles.
(c) Motorcycles.
(d) Transit and commuter buses designed to transport persons,
including the driver.
(e) Vehicles of public utility companies that are responding
to an emergency call.
(f) Vehicles that are using an HOV lane to make a turn
permitted by law for a reasonable distance in advance of the turn
or for purposes of entering or exiting a limited access highway.
(g) Taxicabs having 2 or more occupants, including the driver.
(h) Bicycles, if the HOV lane is the right-hand lane of a
highway open to bicycles.
(3) (2)
A person who violates this section
is responsible for
a [ ] civil infraction.