Section 40-6-40. Vehicles to drive on right side of roadway; exceptions

   (a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon 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 such movement;

   (2) When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway, provided that any person so doing shall yield the right of way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within such a distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;

   (3) Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; or

   (4) Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.

(b) Upon all roadways, any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven 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) Upon any roadway having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center of the roadway except when authorized by official traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the left of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes or except as permitted under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section. However, this subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the center of the roadway in making a left turn into or from an alley, private road, or driveway.

(d) No two vehicles shall impede the normal flow of traffic by traveling side by side at the same time while in adjacent lanes, provided that this Code section shall not be construed to prevent vehicles traveling side by side in adjacent lanes because of congested traffic conditions.

Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 556, § 55; Ga. L. 1967, p. 542, § 1; Ga. L. 1968, p. 1065, § 1; Code 1933, § 68A-301, enacted by Ga. L. 1974, p. 633, § 1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 2048, § 5.