H.B. 24

This document includes House Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Thu, Jan 22, 2004 at 4:03 PM by kholt. --> This document includes House Floor Amendments (CORRECTED) incorporated into the bill on Fri, Jan 23, 2004 at 7:17 AM by kholt. --> This document includes Senate Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Jan 28, 2004 at 2:47 PM by smaeser. --> 1

MOTOR VEHICLES CODE REVISIONS
2 2004 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Sponsor: Joseph G. Murray
5
6 LONG TITLE
7 General Description:
8 This bill modifies the Motor Vehicles Code by amending traffic rules and regulations
9 provisions.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . clarifies that a local authority traffic-control device shall conform to the standards
13 on traffic-control devices adopted by the Department of Transportation;
14 . provides that a right turn is prohibited at a red arrow signal;
15 . requires an operator h [ facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal ] h to yield to other
16 traffic h MOVING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN OFFICIAL
16a TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL h ;
17 . clarifies the meaning of pedestrian-control signals;
18 . provides that a left turn is permitted across a solid double yellow line indicating a
19 two-direction, no-passing zone on a highway;
20 . provides that an operator of a vehicle may not:
21 . enter into a two-way left turn lane more than 500 feet prior to making a left turn;
22 or
23 . travel in a two-way left turn lane more than 500 feet if the operator turned into
24 the two-way left turn lane;
25 . prohibits an operator from traveling straight through an intersection in a two-way
26 left turn lane; and
27 . makes technical changes.

28 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
29 None
30 Other Special Clauses:
31 None
32 Utah Code Sections Affected:
33 AMENDS:
34 41-6-20, as last amended by Chapter 38, Laws of Utah 2002
35 41-6-22, as last amended by Chapter 138, Laws of Utah 1987
36 41-6-24, as last amended by Chapter 15, Laws of Utah 1993
37 41-6-25, as last amended by Chapter 138, Laws of Utah 1987
38 41-6-61, as last amended by Chapter 138, Laws of Utah 1987
39 41-6-63.30, as enacted by Chapter 16, Laws of Utah 2000
40 41-6-66, as last amended by Chapter 138, Laws of Utah 1987
41 41-6-67, as last amended by Chapter 138, Laws of Utah 1987
42
43 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
44 Section 1. Section 41-6-20 is amended to read:
45 41-6-20. Standards and specifications for uniform system of traffic-control
46 devices and school crossing guards.
47 (1) [(a)] In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking
48 Act, the Department of Transportation shall make rules:
49 (a) consistent with this chapter adopting [a manual] standards and establishing
50 specifications for a uniform system of traffic-control devices [for use upon highways within
51 this state.] used on a highway; and
52 (b) adopting standards and establishing specifications for a uniform system of
53 traffic-control devices, school crossing zones, and use of school crossing guards, which shall
54 supplement the standards adopted under Subsection (1)(a).
55 [(b)] (2) The [manual] standards and specifications adopted under Subsection (1)(a)
56 shall correlate with, and where possible conform to, the system set forth in the most recent
57 edition of the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways" and
58 other standards issued or endorsed by the federal highway administrator.

59 [(2) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act,
60 the Department of Transportation shall make rules adopting a manual and establishing
61 specifications for a uniform system of traffic-control devices and school crossing guards for
62 school crossing zones, which shall supplement the manual adopted under Subsection (1).]
63 Section 2. Section 41-6-22 is amended to read:
64 41-6-22. Placing and maintenance upon local highways by local authorities.
65 (1) [Local authorities, in their respective jurisdictions,] A local authority shall place and
66 maintain official traffic-control devices upon highways under [their] its jurisdiction as [they
67 find] it finds necessary to indicate and to carry out the provisions of this chapter or local traffic
68 ordinances, or to regulate, warn, or guide traffic.
69 (2) All traffic-control devices erected under this section shall conform to and be
70 maintained in conformance with the [Department of Transportation manual and specifications
71 for a uniform system of traffic-control devices] standards and specifications adopted under
72 Section 41-6-20 .
73 Section 3. Section 41-6-24 is amended to read:
74 41-6-24. Traffic-control signal -- At intersections -- At place other than
75 intersection -- Color of light signal -- Inoperative traffic-control signals.
76 (1) (a) Green, red, and yellow are the only colors that may be used in traffic-control
77 signals, except for special:
78 (i) pedestrian signals that may use white and orange[.]; and
79 (ii) rail vehicles that may use white.
80 (b) Traffic-control signals indicate and apply to operators of vehicles and pedestrians
81 as provided in this section.
82 (2) (a) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(a)(ii), [vehicular traffic] the operator of
83 a vehicle facing a circular green signal may:
84 (A) proceed straight through the intersection;
85 (B) turn right; or
86 (C) turn left.
87 (ii) [Vehicular traffic] The operator of a vehicle facing a circular green signal,
88 including [vehicles] an operator turning right or left:
89 (A) shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the

90 intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time the signal is exhibited; and
91 (B) may not turn right or left if a sign at the intersection prohibits the turn.
92 (b) [Vehicular traffic] The operator of a vehicle facing a green arrow signal shown
93 alone or in combination with other indication:
94 (i) may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the
95 arrow or other indication shown at the same time; and
96 (ii) shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk
97 and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
98 (c) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal under Section 41-6-25 ,
99 pedestrians facing any green signal other than a green turn arrow may proceed across the
100 roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
101 (3) (a) [Vehicular traffic] The operator of a vehicle facing a steady circular yellow or
102 yellow arrow signal is warned that the allowable movement related to a green signal is being
103 terminated.
104 (b) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal under Section 41-6-25 ,
105 [pedestrians] a pedestrian facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal [are] is advised
106 that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown, and a
107 pedestrian may not start to cross the roadway.
108 (4) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(c), [vehicular traffic] the operator of a
109 vehicle facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal:
110 (i) may not enter the intersection unless entering the intersection to make a movement
111 permitted by another indication; and
112 (ii) shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the marked or
113 unmarked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection and shall remain stopped until an
114 indication to proceed is shown.
115 (b) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal under Section 41-6-25 ,
116 [pedestrians] a pedestrian facing a steady red signal alone may not enter the roadway.
117 (c) (i) Except when facing a red arrow signal or when a sign is in place prohibiting a
118 turn, [vehicular traffic] the operator of a vehicle facing any steady circular red signal may
119 cautiously enter the intersection to turn right, or may turn left from a one-way street into a
120 one-way street, after stopping as required by Subsection (4)(a).

121 (ii) The [vehicular traffic] operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to:
122 h [ (a) ] (A) h other vehicles moving through the intersection in accordance with an official
123 traffic-control signal; and
124 h [ (b) ] (B) h pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk [and to other traffic lawfully
125 using the intersection].
126 (5) (a) This section applies where an official traffic-control signal is erected and
127 maintained at an intersection or at a place other than an intersection.
128 (b) Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the highway pavement
129 indicating where the stop shall be made, but, in the absence of any sign or marking, the stop
130 shall be made at the signal.
131 (6) The operator of a vehicle approaching an intersection that has an official
132 traffic-control signal that is inoperative shall stop before entering the intersection and shall
133 yield the right-of-way to any vehicle as required under Section 41-6-72 .
134 Section 4. Section 41-6-25 is amended to read:
135 41-6-25. Special pedestrian-control signals -- Meaning of signals -- Rights and
136 duties.
137 When special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words "Walk" or "Don't Walk"
138 or symbols of "Walking Person" or "Upraised [Palm] Hand" are in place, the signals indicate:
139 [(a) Flashing or] (1) A steady "Walk" or symbol of "Walking Person" means a
140 pedestrian facing the signal has the right-of-way and may proceed across the roadway in the
141 direction of the signal [and the operators of all vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to him].
142 [(b) Flashing or steady] (2) A flashing "Don't Walk" or "Upraised [Palm] Hand"
143 means a pedestrian may not start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal, but a
144 pedestrian who has partially completed his crossing on the walk signal shall proceed to a
145 sidewalk or safety island while the "Don't Walk" or "Upraised [Palm] Hand" signal is showing.
146 (3) A steady "Don't Walk" or "Upraised Hand" means a pedestrian may not enter the
147 roadway in the direction of the signal.
148 Section 5. Section 41-6-61 is amended to read:
149 41-6-61. Roadway divided into marked lanes -- Provisions -- Traffic-control
150 devices.
151 On a roadway divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic the following

152 provisions apply:
153 (1) A person operating a vehicle:
154 (a) shall [be operated] keep the vehicle as nearly as practical entirely within a single
155 lane; and
156 (b) may not [be moved] move the vehicle from the lane until the operator has
157 determined the movement can be made safely.
158 (2) On a roadway divided into three or more lanes and providing for two-way
159 movement of traffic, a person operating a vehicle may not [be operated] drive in the center lane
160 except:
161 (a) when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction, and
162 when the center lane is:
163 (i) clear of traffic within a safe distance; [or] and
164 (ii) not a two-way left turn lane;
165 (b) in preparation of making or completing a left turn in compliance with Section
166 41-6-66 ; or
167 (c) where the center lane is allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the same
168 direction that the vehicle is proceeding and the allocation is designated by official
169 traffic-control devices.
170 (3) (a) Official traffic-control devices may be erected directing specified traffic to use a
171 designated lane or designating those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction
172 regardless of the center of the roadway. [Operators of vehicles]
173 (b) An operator of a vehicle shall obey the directions of [these] official traffic-control
174 devices erected under Subsection (3)(a).
175 Section 6. Section 41-6-63.30 is amended to read:
176 41-6-63.30. Definitions -- Gore area -- Island -- Driving over gore or island
177 prohibited -- Exceptions -- Penalties.
178 (1) As used in this section[,]:
179 (a) "Gore area" means the area delineated by two solid white lines that is between a
180 continuing lane of a through roadway and a lane used to enter or exit the continuing lane
181 including similar areas between merging or splitting highways.
182 (b) "Island" means an area between traffic lanes for control of vehicle movements or

183 for pedestrian refuge designated by:
184 (i) pavement markings, which may include an area designated by two solid yellow lines
185 surrounding the perimeter of the area;
186 (ii) channelizing devices;
187 (iii) curbs;
188 (iv) pavement edges; or
189 (v) other devices.
190 (2) (a) A person may not operate a vehicle over, across, or within any part of a gore
191 area or an island.
192 (b) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply to:
193 (i) a person operating a vehicle that is disabled; or
194 (ii) an operator of an authorized emergency vehicle under conditions described under
195 Section 41-6-14 .
196 (3) A person who violates Subsection (2) is guilty of class C misdemeanor.
197 Section 7. Section 41-6-66 is amended to read:
198 41-6-66. Turning -- Manner -- Traffic-control devices.
199 The operator of a vehicle shall make turns as follows:
200 (1) Right turns: both a right turn and an approach for a right turn shall be made as close
201 as practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
202 (2) Left turns:
203 (a) the operator of a vehicle intending to turn left shall approach the turn from the
204 extreme left-hand lane for traffic moving in the same direction[. Whenever];
205 (b) whenever practicable, [the left turn] shall be made by turning onto the roadway
206 being entered in the extreme left-hand lane for traffic moving in the new direction, unless
207 otherwise directed by an official traffic-control device[.]; and
208 (c) may be made on a highway across solid double yellow line pavement markings
209 indicating a two-direction, no-passing zone.
210 (3) Two-way left turn lanes: where a special lane for making left turns by operators
211 proceeding in opposite directions has been indicated by official traffic-control devices:
212 (a) a left turn may not be made from any other lane; [and]
213 (b) a vehicle may not be driven in the lane except when preparing for or making:

214 (i) a left turn from or into the roadway; or [when preparing for or making]
215 (ii) a U-turn except when [permitted] prohibited by [law.] an official traffic-control
216 device;
217 (c) h (i) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED UNDER SUBSECTION (3)(c)(ii), h the operator of a vehicle
217a intending to turn left h [ shall ] MAY h not enter a two-way left turn
218 lane more than 500 feet prior to making the turn h [h UNLESS STACKING IN THE LEFT-HAND TURN
218a LANE EXTENDS BEYOND 500 FEET h ] h ;
218b h (ii) IF TRAFFIC IN THE TWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE EXTENDS BEYOND 500 FEET, THE
218c OPERATOR OF A VEHICLE INTENDING TO TURN LEFT S [ SHALL ] MAY s ENTER THE TWO-WAY
218d LEFT TURN LANE IMMEDIATELY UPON REACHING THE LAST VEHICLE IN THE TWO-WAY LEFT
218e TURN LANE; h
219 (d) the operator of a vehicle that has turned left into the two-way left turn lane may not
220 travel in the lane more than 500 feet h UNLESS THE OPERATOR INTENDS TO TURN LEFT AND
220a SUBSECTION (3)(c)(ii) APPLIES h ; and
221 (e) the operator of a vehicle may not travel straight through an intersection in a
222 two-way left turn lane.
223 (4) (a) The Department of Transportation and local authorities in their respective
224 jurisdictions may cause official traffic-control devices to be [placed and require and] erected
225 that direct [that] a different course from that specified in this section be traveled by turning
226 vehicles.
227 (b) The operator of a vehicle may not turn a vehicle other than as directed by [those]
228 official traffic-control devices erected under Subsection (4)(a).
229 Section 8. Section 41-6-67 is amended to read:
230 41-6-67. Turning around -- Where prohibited -- Visibility.
231 [(1)] The operator of [any] a vehicle may not make a U-turn or turn the vehicle to
232 proceed in the opposite direction:
233 (1) unless the movement can be made safely and without interfering with other
234 traffic[.]; or
235 (2) [A vehicle may not be turned to proceed in the opposite direction] on any curve, or
236 upon the approach to, or near the crest of a grade, if the vehicle is not visible at a distance of
237 500 feet by the operator of any other vehicle approaching from either direction.




Legislative Review Note
as of 11-19-03 2:40 PM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

Interim Committee Note

as of 12-10-03 11:12 AM

The Transportation Interim Committee recommended this bill.