Kentucky drivers often ignore some rules of the road, such as not following too closely and keeping to the right when on the highway.
Each time you get behind the wheel in Kentucky, you must follow the traffic code to avoid breaking the law. As a driver, you are responsible for your car’s safe and legal operation.
However, Kentucky drivers commonly ignore the following seven traffic laws. Keep reading to learn what to do, and not to do, when driving in Kentucky.
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1. Kentucky Slower Traffic Keep Right Law: The “Move Over” Rule
Kentucky law requires you to stay as far right as possible when driving on the highway. You must move over to allow faster traffic to pass you on the left.
The operator of any vehicle moving slowly upon a highway shall keep his vehicle as closely as practicable to the right-hand boundary of the highway, allowing more swiftly moving vehicles reasonably free passage to the left
2. Kentucky Flow of Traffic Law: The “Minimum Speed” Rule
Kentucky does not set a statewide minimum speed. However, you must drive fast enough to not back up or block the normal flow of traffic. If you do, you will be illegally moving too slowly. The only exceptions are when you must slow down for safety or to comply with the law.
A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at a speed that will impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
3. Kentucky Driving in Left Lane Law: The “Passing on the Left” Rule
On Kentucky roads, you are required by law to pass slower traffic on the left and not move back to the right until you have left reasonable space.
Before you can pass on a two-lane road, the left side must be visibly clear of oncoming traffic for a distance that will allow you to safely pass. You must return to the right before you come within 200 feet of any vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.
If you are being passed by a faster vehicle, you must give them the right of way. You also must allow sufficient clearance to pass and safely return to the right lane.
Vehicles overtaking other vehicles proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of them and shall not again drive to the right until reasonably clear of those vehicles.
No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless the left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken.
In every event, the overtaking vehicle must return to the right-hand side of the roadway before coming within two hundred (200) feet of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.
The operator of a vehicle about to be overtaken and passed shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle.
In all cases of meeting, passing, or overtaking of vehicles such assistance shall begiven by the operator and occupants of each vehicle, respectively, to the other as the circumstances reasonably demand, in order to obtain clearance and avoid accidents.
4. Kentucky Rear-End Collision Law: The “Following Too Closely” Rule
In Kentucky, the law requires you to give traffic in front of you a “reasonable and prudent” amount of space. There is no set minimum distance. Instead, what is reasonable is determined based on traffic and conditions such as weather.
The operator of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehiclemore closely than is reasonable and prudent, having regard for the speed of the vehicle and the traffic upon and condition of the highway.
5. Kentucky Mobile Phone Driving Law: The “Hands-Free Driving” Rule
It is illegal to type, send, or read text messages or emails while driving in Kentucky. If you are under 18, you cannot use a cell phone at all, except in case of an emergency.
Any person under the age of eighteen (18) who has been issued an instruction permit, intermediate license, or operator’s license shall not operate a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or moped that isin motion on the traveled portion of a roadway while using a personal communication device, except to summon medical help or a law enforcement or public safety agency in an emergency situation.
No person shall, while operating a motor vehicle that is in motion on the traveled portion of a roadway, write, send, or read text-based communication using a personal communication device to manually communicate with any person using text-based communication, including but not limited to communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail.
6. Kentucky Four-Way Intersection Law: The “4-Way Stop” Rule
If you and another vehicle reach a Kentucky 4-way stop at the same time, the right-side driver goes first. As the driver on the left, you must yield the right-of-way to the driver on the right.
When two (2) vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different roadways at approximately the same time, the operator of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
7. Kentucky Left Turn Intersection Law: The “Right of Way” Rule
Kentucky’s traffic code says you must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic before you make a left turn. If turning would create the threat of an accident with a vehicle headed in the opposite direction, you must wait.
The operator of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.
Driving legally means driving your car safely. Following traffic laws in Kentucky can help you avoid car accidents while ensuring you don’t receive a ticket. So keep these seven rules of the road in mind every time you get behind the wheel.
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