Esta ley enmienda la Ley de Vehículos y Tránsito de Puerto Rico para establecer que el carril izquierdo en las autopistas solo puede ser utilizado para rebasar otros vehículos. Se prohíbe conducir de forma continua por este carril y se establecen multas de quinientos (500) dólares por infracción. También ordena al Departamento de Transportación y Obras Públicas y a la Autoridad de Carreteras a instalar la señalización necesaria.
To add Section 6.29 to Act No. 22 of January 7, 2000, known as the "Puerto Rico Vehicle and Traffic Act," to allow the use of the left lane on the Expressways of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with the sole and exclusive purpose of passing other vehicles; to establish new penalties and fines for violations of said Act.
It is the public policy of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to maintain road safety through the promulgation of laws and regulations to establish the necessary order to prevent accidents.
Among the most important obligations of the modern state, the promotion and overseeing of public safety in all its varieties are included, as well as to simplify and expedite citizen transactions in their daily contact with government entities.
Without any doubts, few laws affect the lives and daily activities of the citizens as much as the one that regulates vehicular traffic on the thoroughfares of the Island.
With this in mind, the speed limits in the highways of the Island have been fixed and modified in the past, thus minimizing the need for intervention by public authorities.
To help promote a more effective vehicular flow, more action needs to be taken.
We often see how both lanes are used at a reduced speed in the Island's expressways, which obstructs the vehicular flow and motivates some drivers to use
the shoulder of the road to pass in an irresponsible manner. We have also see the problem confronted by ambulances and security vehicles when, responding to an emergency, they find the left lane is being used, lane through which they should move with greater ease.
For this reason, safety is thoroughfares requires that it be established that the use of the left lane of our highways is allowed only for passing thus, establishing penalties for drivers who do not comply with the provisions of this Act.
In this fundamental aspect therefore daily life is made easier, and public safety is strengthened as the quality of life is improved.
Section 1.-Act No. 22 of January 7, 2000, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows: "... Section 6.29.-Use of Left Lane on the Highways of Puerto Rico The use of the left lane shall be allowed in the highways of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico solely and exclusively to pass other vehicles traveling on it or on the right lanes.
It shall be illegal for any person to drive or operate a motor vehicle on the left lane of any highway of the country, except to pass another automobile.
Every driver who violates this provision of law shall incur an administrative fault and shall be sanctioned with a fine of five hundred (500) dollars.
The Department of Transportation and Public Works and the Highways Authority are hereby directed to post the necessary signs to comply with the provided herein within ninety (90) days as of the approval of this Act."
Section 2.-This Act shall take effect ninety (90) days after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 292 (H.B. 4186) of the $7^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to add Section 6.29 to Act No. 22 of January 7, 2000, known as the "Puerto Rico Vehicle and Traffic Act," to allow the use of the left lane on the Expressways of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with the sole and exclusive purpose of passing other vehicles; to establish new penalties and fines for violations of said Act, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $24^{ ext {th }}$ of October of 2005.
Francisco J. Domenech Director
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