29-A §2053. Right-of-way - Maine Statutes

Title 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES HEADING: PL 1993, C. 683, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. B, §5 (AFF)

Chapter 19: OPERATION HEADING: PL 1993, C. 683, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. B, §5 (AFF)

Subchapter 1: RULES OF THE ROAD HEADING: PL 1993, C. 683, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. B, §5 (AFF)

§2053. Right-of-way

1. Keeping right. When operators of vehicles approach each other from opposite directions, each must travel to the right of the center of the travel portion of the public way to allow the other to pass without interference. When it is unsafe or difficult to pass without interference, an operator must stop at a reasonable time and convenient place, to allow the other to pass.

[ 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF) .]

2. Slow-moving vehicles. An operator of a vehicle moving slowly shall keep the vehicle as close as practicable to the right-hand boundary of the public way, and allow faster moving vehicles reasonably free passage to the left.

[ 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF) .]

3. Public intersections. The operator of a vehicle at intersecting public ways has the right-of-way over a vehicle on the operator's left, and must yield right-of-way to one on its right, except:

A. At a traffic circle or rotary; or [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

B. When otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer. [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

[ 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF) .]

4. Private to public intersection. An operator of a vehicle entering a public way from a private way must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle on the public way or to a pedestrian. After yielding, the operator of the vehicle must proceed cautiously.

For the purposes of this subsection, "private way" means any way or road access onto a public way, including an alley, driveway or entrance.

[ 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF) .]

5. Vehicle turning left. An operator of a vehicle who intends to turn left must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction when the approaching vehicle is within the intersection or so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.

[ 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF) .]

6. Traffic circles or rotary intersections. The operator of a vehicle:

A. Approaching a traffic circle or rotary intersection shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle already within the traffic circle or rotary intersection unless otherwise regulated by a law enforcement officer or by traffic control devices; [2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §33 (NEW); 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

B. Entering and passing around a rotary or traffic circle may drive only to the right of the rotary or traffic circle and shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle on the operator's left; and [2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §33 (NEW); 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

C. May not drive on or across the center part of a rotary or traffic circle, except that the wheels of a semitrailer or trailer may cross the center part as long as the wheels of the towing vehicle do not cross the center part. [2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §33 (NEW); 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

[ 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §33 (RPR); 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF) .]

7. Traffic islands. An operator of a vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island must drive only to the right of the island.

[ 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF) .]

8. Highway construction and maintenance areas. An operator of a vehicle must yield the right-of-way to an authorized vehicle or person actually engaged in work on a public way:

A. Within a construction or maintenance area indicated by official traffic control devices; or [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

B. When the vehicle displays flashing lights meeting the requirements of section 2054. [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

[ 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). 1999, c. 183, §8 (AMD). 2003, c. 452, §Q33 (AMD). 2003, c. 452, §X2 (AFF).