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S.B. 104

             1     

VULNERABLE USERS OF HIGHWAYS AMENDMENTS

             2     
2013 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Todd Weiler

             5     
House Sponsor: ____________

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the Traffic Code by enacting sentencing requirements for certain
             10      violations that impact vulnerable users of a highway.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    defines vulnerable user of a highway;
             14          .    provides that if a person contributes to the physical injury of a vulnerable user of a
             15      highway during the commission of a moving traffic violation, the court:
             16              .    shall impose a sentence that requires the person convicted of the offense to
             17      complete a defensive driving course and perform community service; and
             18              .    may impose a fine that is up to double the recommended fine amount; and
             19          .    makes technical corrections.
             20      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             21          None
             22      Other Special Clauses:
             23          None
             24      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             25      AMENDS:
             26          41-6a-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 311
             27          41-6a-202, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 2


             28     
             29      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             30          Section 1. Section 41-6a-102 is amended to read:
             31           41-6a-102. Definitions.
             32          As used in this chapter:
             33          (1) "Alley" means a street or highway intended to provide access to the rear or side of
             34      lots or buildings in urban districts and not intended for through vehicular traffic.
             35          (2) "All-terrain type I vehicle" has the same meaning as defined in Section 41-22-2 .
             36          (3) "Authorized emergency vehicle" includes:
             37          (a) fire department vehicles;
             38          (b) police vehicles;
             39          (c) ambulances; and
             40          (d) other publicly or privately owned vehicles as designated by the commissioner of the
             41      Department of Public Safety.
             42          (4) (a) "Bicycle" means every device:
             43          (i) propelled by human power;
             44          (ii) upon which a person may ride; and
             45          (iii) having two tandem wheels.
             46          (b) "Bicycle" does not include scooters and similar devices.
             47          (5) (a) "Bus" means a motor vehicle:
             48          (i) designed for carrying more than 15 passengers and used for the transportation of
             49      persons; or
             50          (ii) designed and used for the transportation of persons for compensation.
             51          (b) "Bus" does not include a taxicab.
             52          (6) (a) "Circular intersection" means an intersection that has an island, generally
             53      circular in design, located in the center of the intersection where traffic passes to the right of
             54      the island.
             55          (b) "Circular intersection" includes:
             56          (i) roundabouts;
             57          (ii) rotaries; and
             58          (iii) traffic circles.


             59          (7) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.
             60          (8) "Controlled-access highway" means a highway, street, or roadway:
             61          (a) designed primarily for through traffic; and
             62          (b) to or from which owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have no
             63      legal right of access, except at points as determined by the highway authority having
             64      jurisdiction over the highway, street, or roadway.
             65          (9) "Crosswalk" means:
             66          (a) that part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the
             67      lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from:
             68          (i) (A) the curbs; or
             69          (B) in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway; and
             70          (ii) in the absence of a sidewalk on one side of the roadway, that part of a roadway
             71      included within the extension of the lateral lines of the existing sidewalk at right angles to the
             72      centerline; or
             73          (b) any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for
             74      pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
             75          (10) "Department" means the Department of Public Safety.
             76          (11) "Direct supervision" means oversight at a distance within which:
             77          (a) visual contact is maintained; and
             78          (b) advice and assistance can be given and received.
             79          (12) "Divided highway" means a highway divided into two or more roadways by:
             80          (a) an unpaved intervening space;
             81          (b) a physical barrier; or
             82          (c) a clearly indicated dividing section constructed to impede vehicular traffic.
             83          (13) "Electric assisted bicycle" means a moped:
             84          (a) with an electric motor with a power output of not more than 1,000 watts; and
             85          (b) which is not capable of:
             86          (i) propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour on level ground; and
             87          (ii) increasing the speed of the device when human power is used to propel the device
             88      at more than 20 miles per hour.
             89          (14) (a) "Electric personal assistive mobility device" means a self-balancing device


             90      with:
             91          (i) two nontandem wheels in contact with the ground;
             92          (ii) a system capable of steering and stopping the unit under typical operating
             93      conditions;
             94          (iii) an electric propulsion system with average power of one horsepower or 750 watts;
             95          (iv) a maximum speed capacity on a paved, level surface of 12.5 miles per hour; and
             96          (v) a deck design for a person to stand while operating the device.
             97          (b) "Electric personal assistive mobility device" does not include a wheelchair.
             98          (15) "Explosives" means any chemical compound or mechanical mixture commonly
             99      used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion and which contains any oxidizing
             100      and combustive units or other ingredients in proportions, quantities, or packing so that an
             101      ignition by fire, friction, concussion, percussion, or detonator of any part of the compound or
             102      mixture may cause a sudden generation of highly heated gases, and the resultant gaseous
             103      pressures are capable of producing destructive effects on contiguous objects or of causing death
             104      or serious bodily injury.
             105          (16) "Farm tractor" means a motor vehicle designed and used primarily as a farm
             106      implement, for drawing plows, mowing machines, and other implements of husbandry.
             107          (17) "Flammable liquid" means a liquid which has a flashpoint of 100 degrees F. or
             108      less, as determined by a tagliabue or equivalent closed-cup test device.
             109          (18) "Freeway" means a controlled-access highway that is part of the interstate system
             110      as defined in Section 72-1-102 .
             111          (19) "Gore area" means the area delineated by two solid white lines that is between a
             112      continuing lane of a through roadway and a lane used to enter or exit the continuing lane
             113      including similar areas between merging or splitting highways.
             114          (20) "Gross weight" means the weight of a vehicle without a load plus the weight of
             115      any load on the vehicle.
             116          (21) "Highway" means the entire width between property lines of every way or place of
             117      any nature when any part of it is open to the use of the public as a matter of right for vehicular
             118      travel.
             119          (22) "Highway authority" has the same meaning as defined in Section 72-1-102 .
             120          (23) (a) "Intersection" means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection


             121      of the lateral curblines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two or
             122      more highways which join one another.
             123          (b) Where a highway includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart:
             124          (i) every crossing of each roadway of the divided highway by an intersecting highway
             125      is a separate intersection; and
             126          (ii) if the intersecting highway also includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then
             127      every crossing of two roadways of the highways is a separate intersection.
             128          (c) "Intersection" does not include the junction of an alley with a street or highway.
             129          (24) "Island" means an area between traffic lanes or at an intersection for control of
             130      vehicle movements or for pedestrian refuge designated by:
             131          (a) pavement markings, which may include an area designated by two solid yellow
             132      lines surrounding the perimeter of the area;
             133          (b) channelizing devices;
             134          (c) curbs;
             135          (d) pavement edges; or
             136          (e) other devices.
             137          (25) "Law enforcement agency" has the same meaning as defined in Section 53-1-102 .
             138          (26) "Limited access highway" means a highway:
             139          (a) that is designated specifically for through traffic; and
             140          (b) over, from, or to which neither owners nor occupants of abutting lands nor other
             141      persons have any right or easement, or have only a limited right or easement of access, light,
             142      air, or view.
             143          (27) "Local highway authority" means the legislative, executive, or governing body of
             144      a county, municipal, or other local board or body having authority to enact laws relating to
             145      traffic under the constitution and laws of the state.
             146          (28) (a) "Low-speed vehicle" means a four wheeled electric motor vehicle that:
             147          (i) is designed to be operated at speeds of not more than 25 miles per hour; and
             148          (ii) has a capacity of not more than four passengers, including the driver.
             149          (b) "Low-speed vehicle" does not include a golfcart or an off-highway vehicle.
             150          (29) "Metal tire" means a tire, the surface of which in contact with the highway is
             151      wholly or partly of metal or other hard nonresilient material.


             152          (30) (a) "Mini-motorcycle" means a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle that has a seat or
             153      saddle that is less than 24 inches from the ground as measured on a level surface with properly
             154      inflated tires.
             155          (b) "Mini-motorcycle" does not include a moped or a motor assisted scooter.
             156          (c) "Mini-motorcycle" does not include a motorcycle that is:
             157          (i) designed for off-highway use; and
             158          (ii) registered as an off-highway vehicle under Section 41-22-3 .
             159          (31) "Mobile home" means:
             160          (a) a trailer or semitrailer which is:
             161          (i) designed, constructed, and equipped as a dwelling place, living abode, or sleeping
             162      place either permanently or temporarily; and
             163          (ii) equipped for use as a conveyance on streets and highways; or
             164          (b) a trailer or a semitrailer whose chassis and exterior shell is designed and
             165      constructed for use as a mobile home, as defined in Subsection (31)(a), but which is instead
             166      used permanently or temporarily for:
             167          (i) the advertising, sale, display, or promotion of merchandise or services; or
             168          (ii) any other commercial purpose except the transportation of property for hire or the
             169      transportation of property for distribution by a private carrier.
             170          (32) (a) "Moped" means a motor-driven cycle having:
             171          (i) pedals to permit propulsion by human power; and
             172          (ii) a motor which:
             173          (A) produces not more than two brake horsepower; and
             174          (B) is not capable of propelling the cycle at a speed in excess of 30 miles per hour on
             175      level ground.
             176          (b) If an internal combustion engine is used, the displacement may not exceed 50 cubic
             177      centimeters and the moped shall have a power drive system that functions directly or
             178      automatically without clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged.
             179          (c) "Moped" includes an electric assisted bicycle and a motor assisted scooter.
             180          (33) "Motor assisted scooter" means a self-propelled device with:
             181          (a) at least two wheels in contact with the ground;
             182          (b) a braking system capable of stopping the unit under typical operating conditions;


             183          (c) a gas or electric motor not exceeding 40 cubic centimeters;
             184          (d) either:
             185          (i) a deck design for a person to stand while operating the device; or
             186          (ii) a deck and seat designed for a person to sit, straddle, or stand while operating the
             187      device; and
             188          (e) a design for the ability to be propelled by human power alone.
             189          (34) (a) "Motor vehicle" means a vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle
             190      which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated
             191      upon rails.
             192          (b) "Motor vehicle" does not include vehicles moved solely by human power,
             193      motorized wheelchairs, or an electric personal assistive mobility device.
             194          (35) "Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle, other than a tractor, having a seat or saddle
             195      for the use of the rider and designed to travel with not more than three wheels in contact with
             196      the ground.
             197          (36) (a) "Motor-driven cycle" means every motorcycle, motor scooter, moped, electric
             198      assisted bicycle, motor assisted scooter, and every motorized bicycle having:
             199          (i) an engine with less than 150 cubic centimeters displacement; or
             200          (ii) a motor which produces not more than five horsepower.
             201          (b) "Motor-driven cycle" does not include an electric personal assistive mobility
             202      device.
             203          (37) "Off-highway implement of husbandry" has the same meaning as defined under
             204      Section 41-22-2 .
             205          (38) "Off-highway vehicle" has the same meaning as defined under Section 41-22-2 .
             206          (39) "Operator" means a person who is in actual physical control of a vehicle.
             207          (40) (a) "Park" or "parking" means the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not.
             208          (b) "Park" or "parking" does not include the standing of a vehicle temporarily for the
             209      purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property or passengers.
             210          (41) "Peace officer" means a peace officer authorized under Title 53, Chapter 13, Peace
             211      Officer Classifications, to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic
             212      laws.
             213          (42) "Pedestrian" means a person traveling:


             214          (a) on foot; or
             215          (b) in a wheelchair.
             216          (43) "Pedestrian traffic-control signal" means a traffic-control signal used to regulate
             217      pedestrians.
             218          (44) "Person" means every natural person, firm, copartnership, association, or
             219      corporation.
             220          (45) "Pole trailer" means every vehicle without motive power:
             221          (a) designed to be drawn by another vehicle and attached to the towing vehicle by
             222      means of a reach, or pole, or by being boomed or otherwise secured to the towing vehicle; and
             223          (b) that is ordinarily used for transporting long or irregular shaped loads including
             224      poles, pipes, or structural members generally capable of sustaining themselves as beams
             225      between the supporting connections.
             226          (46) "Private road or driveway" means every way or place in private ownership and
             227      used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the
             228      owner, but not by other persons.
             229          (47) "Railroad" means a carrier of persons or property upon cars operated on stationary
             230      rails.
             231          (48) "Railroad sign or signal" means a sign, signal, or device erected by authority of a
             232      public body or official or by a railroad and intended to give notice of the presence of railroad
             233      tracks or the approach of a railroad train.
             234          (49) "Railroad train" means a locomotive propelled by any form of energy, coupled
             235      with or operated without cars, and operated upon rails.
             236          (50) "Right-of-way" means the right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful
             237      manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching under circumstances of
             238      direction, speed, and proximity which give rise to danger of collision unless one grants
             239      precedence to the other.
             240          (51) (a) "Roadway" means that portion of highway improved, designed, or ordinarily
             241      used for vehicular travel.
             242          (b) "Roadway" does not include the sidewalk, berm, or shoulder, even though any of
             243      them are used by persons riding bicycles or other human-powered vehicles.
             244          (c) "Roadway" refers to any roadway separately but not to all roadways collectively, if


             245      a highway includes two or more separate roadways.
             246          (52) "Safety zone" means the area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the
             247      exclusive use of pedestrians and which is protected, marked, or indicated by adequate signs as
             248      to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.
             249          (53) (a) "School bus" means a motor vehicle that:
             250          (i) complies with the color and identification requirements of the most recent edition of
             251      "Minimum Standards for School Buses"; and
             252          (ii) is used to transport school children to or from school or school activities.
             253          (b) "School bus" does not include a vehicle operated by a common carrier in
             254      transportation of school children to or from school or school activities.
             255          (54) (a) "Semitrailer" means a vehicle with or without motive power:
             256          (i) designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle;
             257      and
             258          (ii) constructed so that some part of its weight and that of its load rests on or is carried
             259      by another vehicle.
             260          (b) "Semitrailer" does not include a pole trailer.
             261          (55) "Shoulder area" means:
             262          (a) that area of the hard-surfaced highway separated from the roadway by a pavement
             263      edge line as established in the current approved "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices";
             264      or
             265          (b) that portion of the road contiguous to the roadway for accommodation of stopped
             266      vehicles, for emergency use, and lateral support.
             267          (56) "Sidewalk" means that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral
             268      lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians.
             269          (57) "Solid rubber tire" means a tire of rubber or other resilient material which does not
             270      depend on compressed air for the support of the load.
             271          (58) "Stand" or "standing" means the temporary halting of a vehicle, whether occupied
             272      or not, for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers.
             273          (59) "Stop" when required means complete cessation from movement.
             274          (60) "Stop" or "stopping" when prohibited means any halting even momentarily of a
             275      vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when:


             276          (a) necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic; or
             277          (b) in compliance with the directions of a peace officer or traffic-control device.
             278          (61) "Street-legal all-terrain vehicle" or "street-legal ATV" means an all-terrain type I
             279      vehicle or utility type vehicle that is modified to meet the requirements of Section 41-6a-1509
             280      to operate on highways in the state in accordance with Section 41-6a-1509 .
             281          (62) "Traffic" means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, and other
             282      conveyances either singly or together while using any highway for the purpose of travel.
             283          (63) "Traffic-control device" means a sign, signal, marking, or device not inconsistent
             284      with this chapter placed or erected by a highway authority for the purpose of regulating,
             285      warning, or guiding traffic.
             286          (64) "Traffic-control signal" means a device, whether manually, electrically, or
             287      mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and permitted to proceed.
             288          (65) "Traffic signal preemption device" means an instrument or mechanism designed,
             289      intended, or used to interfere with the operation or cycle of a traffic-control signal.
             290          (66) (a) "Trailer" means a vehicle with or without motive power designed for carrying
             291      persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and constructed so that no part of
             292      its weight rests upon the towing vehicle.
             293          (b) "Trailer" does not include a pole trailer.
             294          (67) "Truck" means a motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the
             295      transportation of property.
             296          (68) "Truck tractor" means a motor vehicle:
             297          (a) designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles; and
             298          (b) constructed to carry a part of the weight of the vehicle and load drawn by the truck
             299      tractor.
             300          (69) "Two-way left turn lane" means a lane:
             301          (a) provided for vehicle operators making left turns in either direction;
             302          (b) that is not used for passing, overtaking, or through travel; and
             303          (c) that has been indicated by a lane traffic-control device which may include lane
             304      markings.
             305          (70) "Urban district" means the territory contiguous to and including any street, in
             306      which structures devoted to business, industry, or dwelling houses are situated at intervals of


             307      less than 100 feet, for a distance of a quarter of a mile or more.
             308          (71) (a) "Utility type vehicle" means any recreational vehicle designed for and capable
             309      of travel over unimproved terrain:
             310          (i) traveling on four or more tires;
             311          (ii) having a width of 30 to 70 inches;
             312          (iii) having an unladen dry weight of 2,200 pounds or less;
             313          (iv) having a seat height of 25 to 40 inches when measured at the forward edge of the
             314      seat bottom; and
             315          (v) having side-by-side seating with a steering wheel for control.
             316          (b) "Utility type vehicle" does not include:
             317          (i) an all-terrain type I vehicle;
             318          (ii) an all-terrain type II vehicle;
             319          (iii) a motorcycle; or
             320          (iv) a snowmobile as defined in Section 41-22-2 .
             321          (72) "Vehicle" means a device in, on, or by which a person or property is or may be
             322      transported or drawn on a highway, except devices used exclusively on stationary rails or
             323      tracks.
             324          (73) "Vulnerable user of a highway" means:
             325          (a) a pedestrian, including a person engaged in work upon a highway or upon utilities
             326      facilities along a highway or providing emergency services within the right-of-way of a
             327      highway;
             328          (b) a person riding an animal; or
             329          (c) a person operating any of the following on a highway:
             330          (i) a farm tractor or implement of husbandry, without an enclosed shell;
             331          (ii) a skateboard;
             332          (iii) roller skates;
             333          (iv) in-line skates;
             334          (v) a bicycle;
             335          (vi) an electric-assisted bicycle;
             336          (vii) an electric personal assistive mobility device;
             337          (viii) a moped;


             338          (ix) a motor-driven cycle;
             339          (x) a motorized scooter; or
             340          (xi) a motorcycle.
             341          Section 2. Section 41-6a-202 is amended to read:
             342           41-6a-202. Violations of chapter -- Penalties.
             343          (1) A violation of any provision of this chapter is a class C misdemeanor, unless
             344      otherwise provided.
             345          (2) A violation of any provision of Parts 2, 11, 17, and 18 of this chapter is an
             346      infraction, unless otherwise provided.
             347          (3) If a person who violates a moving traffic violation under this chapter contributes to
             348      the physical injury of a vulnerable user of a highway who is lawfully on the highway during the
             349      commission of the offense, the court:
             350          (a) shall impose a sentence that requires the person convicted of the offense to:
             351          (i) complete a defensive driving course approved by:
             352          (A) the Driver License Division; or
             353          (B) a court in this state; and
             354          (ii) perform up to 100 hours of community service directly related to improving
             355      interactions between motorists and vulnerable users of a highway; and
             356          (b) may impose a fine that is up to double the fine amount in the uniform
             357      recommended fine schedule established under Section 76-3-301.5 .




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-4-13 11:57 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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