§ 31-15-19. Two-way left turn lanes. A two-way left turn lane may be designated near the center of a roadway for use by vehicles making left turns in both directions from or into the roadway.

(1) Two-way left turn lanes shall be designated by distinctive roadway markings consisting of parallel double yellow lines, interior line dashed and exterior line solid on each side of the lane. The department of transportation may determine and prescribe standards and specifications governing length, width, and positioning of the distinctive pavement markings. All pavement markings designating a two-way left turn lane shall conform to the department of transportation's standards and specifications.

(2) A vehicle shall not be driven in a designated two-way left turn lane except when preparing for or making a left turn from or into a highway or when preparing for or making a U-turn when otherwise permitted by law, and shall not be driven in that lane for more than two hundred feet (200') while preparing for and making the turn or while preparing to merge into the adjacent lanes of travel. A left turn or U-turn shall not be made from any other lane where a two-way left turn lane has been designated.

(3) This section shall not prohibit driving across a two-way left turn lane.

(4) Raised pavement markers may be used to simulate painted lines described in this section when such markers are placed in accordance with standards established by the department of transportation.

(5) Upon any vehicle entering the turn lane, no other vehicle proceeding in the opposite direction shall enter that turn lane if that entrance would prohibit the vehicle already in the lane from making the intended turn.

(6) When vehicles enter the turn lane proceeding in opposite directions, the first vehicle to enter the lane shall have the right-of-way.

(7) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

History of Section. (P.L. 2012, ch. 305, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 325, § 1.)