
H. B. 4143

(By Delegates Compton and Tucker)

[Introduced January 25, 2000; referred to the
Committee on Roads and Transportation then the
Judiciary.]
A BILL to amend and reenact section twelve, article seven,
chapter seventeen-c of the code of West Virginia, one
thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, relating to
passing on controlled-access highways and requiring the left
lane to be used for passing only; penalty for violation.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That section twelve, article seven, chapter seventeen-c of
the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one,
as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 7. DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY, OVERTAKING AND
PASSING, ETC.
§17C-7-12. Controlled-access highway, including interstate
highway -- Driving onto or from. Left lane to be
used for passing; penalty for violation.
(a) No person shall may drive a vehicle onto or from any controlled-access roadway highway except at such entrances and
exits as are established by public authority. A vehicle shall be
driven as nearly as practicable in the right lane of a
controlled-access highway. No person may drive a vehicle in the
left lane of a controlled-access highway except for overtaking
and passing another vehicle. Controlled access highways include
interstate highways.
(b) Any person violating the provisions of this section is
guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be
fined not more than one hundred dollars; upon a second conviction
within one year thereafter, shall be fined not more than two
hundred dollars; and upon a third or subsequent conviction, shall
be fined not more than five hundred dollars.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require the left lane
of controlled-access highways, including interstate highways, to
be used for passing only.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken
from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language
that would be added.