Download Zipped Introduced WordPerfect HB0402.ZIP
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

H.B. 402

             1     

VEHICLE TO PULL OFF HIGHWAY

             2     
2008 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Fred R. Hunsaker

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Dan R. Eastman

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the Motor Vehicle Code by establishing vehicle operator passing
             10      requirements and responsibilities on certain highways.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    requires an operator of a vehicle causing a line of five or more vehicles behind the
             14      operator's vehicle to:
             15              .    turn off the highway where a safe turn-out exists; and
             16              .    permit the following vehicles to pass;
             17          .    provides that the operator of a commercial vehicle is exempt from the requirement
             18      to turn off the roadway and permit the vehicles following behind the operator's
             19      vehicle to pass; and
             20          .    makes technical changes.
             21      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             22          None
             23      Other Special Clauses:
             24          None
             25      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             26      AMENDS:
             27          41-6a-704, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 52


             28     
             29      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             30          Section 1. Section 41-6a-704 is amended to read:
             31           41-6a-704. Overtaking and passing vehicles proceeding in same direction.
             32          (1) As used in this section "slow moving vehicle" means a vehicle that is proceeding at
             33      a rate of speed less than the normal flow of traffic at the particular time and place.
             34          [(1)] (2) On any highway:
             35          (a) the operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same
             36      direction shall:
             37          (i) except as provided under Section 41-6a-705 , promptly pass the overtaken vehicle on
             38      the left at a safe distance; and
             39          (ii) enter a right-hand lane or the right side of the roadway only when safely clear of the
             40      overtaken vehicle; and
             41          (b) the operator of an overtaken vehicle:
             42          (i) shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle; and
             43          (ii) may not increase the speed of the vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking
             44      vehicle.
             45          (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), on a highway with one lane in each
             46      direction, the operator of a slow moving vehicle that is causing a line of five or more vehicles
             47      to form directly behind the operator's slow moving vehicle shall:
             48          (i) turn off the roadway wherever sufficient area for a safe turn-out exists; and
             49          (ii) permit the vehicles following behind the operator's slow moving vehicle to pass
             50      before proceeding.
             51          (b) The operator of a commercial vehicle as defined in Section 72-9-102 is exempt
             52      from the requirement under Subsection (3)(a) to turn off the roadway and permit the vehicles
             53      following behind the operator's vehicle to pass.
             54          [(2)] (4) On a highway having more than one lane in the same direction, the operator of
             55      a vehicle traveling in the left general purpose lane:
             56          (a) shall, upon being overtaken by another vehicle in the same lane, yield to the
             57      overtaking vehicle by moving safely to a lane to the right; and
             58          (b) may not impede the movement or free flow of traffic in the left general purpose


             59      lane.
             60          [(3)] (5) An operator of a vehicle traveling in the left general purpose lane that has a
             61      vehicle following directly behind the operator's vehicle at a distance so that less than two
             62      seconds elapse before reaching the location of the operator's vehicle when space is available for
             63      the operator to yield to the overtaking vehicle by traveling in the right-hand lane is prima facie
             64      evidence that the operator is violating Subsection [(2)] (4).
             65          [(4)] (6) The provisions of Subsection [(2)] (4) do not apply to an operator of a vehicle
             66      traveling in the left general purpose lane when:
             67          (a) overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction in
             68      accordance with Subsection [(1)] (2)(a);
             69          (b) preparing to turn left or taking a different highway or an exit on the left;
             70          (c) responding to emergency conditions;
             71          (d) avoiding actual or potential traffic moving onto the highway from an acceleration
             72      or merging lane; or
             73          (e) following the direction of a traffic-control device that directs the use of a designated
             74      lane.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-11-08 3:26 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]