(1) As used in this section and Section 41-6a-704, "general purpose lane" means a highway lane open to vehicular traffic but does not include a designated:
(a) high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane; or
(b) auxiliary lane that begins as a freeway on-ramp and ends as part of the next freeway off-ramp.
(2) On a freeway or section of a freeway which has three or more general purpose lanes in the same direction, a person may not operate a vehicle in the left most general purpose lane if the person's vehicle or combination of vehicles has a gross vehicle weight rating of 18,001 or more pounds.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a person operating a vehicle who is:
(a) preparing to turn left or taking a different highway split or an exit on the left;
(b) responding to emergency conditions;
(c) avoiding actual or potential traffic moving onto the highway from an acceleration or merging lane; or
(d) following direction signs that direct use of a designated lane.
(4)
(a) A highway authority may designate a specific lane or lanes of travel for any type of vehicle on a highway or portion of a highway under its jurisdiction for the:
(i) safety of the public;
(ii) efficient maintenance of a highway; or
(iii) use of high occupancy vehicles.
(b) The lane designation under Subsection (4)(a) is effective when appropriate signs or roadway markings giving notice are erected on the highway or portion of the highway.
(5) A public transportation vehicle may operate in a lane designated under Subsection (4)(a)(iii) regardless of the number of occupants as permitted by federal law and regulation.
(6) A person who operates a vehicle in violation of Subsection (2) or in violation of the restrictions made under Subsection (4) is guilty of an infraction.