Download Zipped Amended WordPerfect HB0024.ZIP
[Introduced][Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

H.B. 24

This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 12:10 PM by ddonat. --> This document includes Senate Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Tue, Feb 17, 2009 at 9:40 AM by rday. -->              1     

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CLEARANCE

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2009 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Eric K. Hutchings

             6     
Senate Sponsor: Jon J. Greiner

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      Committee Note:
             10          The Transportation Interim Committee recommended this bill.
             11      General Description:
             12          This bill modifies the Motor Vehicles Code by amending provisions relating to a
             13      vehicle operator's responsibilities for certain traffic accidents.
             14      Highlighted Provisions:
             15          This bill:
             16          .    provides that an operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in
             17      damage to another vehicle or property may move the vehicle as soon as possible off
             18      the roadway or freeway main lines, shoulders, medians, or adjacent areas to a
             19      location on an exit ramp shoulder, a frontage road, the nearest suitable cross street,
             20      or other suitable location that does not obstruct traffic;
             21          .    increases the property damage limit from $1,000 to H. [ $2,000 ] $1,500 .H for
             21a      requiring an operator
             22      of a vehicle to give notice of an accident to the nearest office of a law enforcement
             23      agency;
             24          .    provides that moving a vehicle does not affect the determination of fault for an
             25      accident;
             26          .    authorizes H. [ the Department of Transportation or ] .H a law enforcement agency
             26a      H. with jurisdiction .H to remove
             27      a vehicle, cargo, or other personal property that has been damaged or spilled within


             28      the right-of-way of a roadway on the state highway system, is blocking the roadway, or is
             29      endangering public safety;
             30          .    provides that the Department of Transportation H. or a law enforcement agency .H
             30a      shall not be held responsible for any
             31      damages or claims that result from H. exercising the authority or .H the failure to exercise the
             31a      authority to remove a
             32      vehicle, cargo, or personal property; H. and
             33          [ .    requires the owner and carrier, if any, of the vehicle, cargo, or personal property
             34      removed or disposed of to reimburse the Department of Transportation or other law
             35      enforcement agency for all costs incurred in removing and subsequently disposing
             36      of the property; and
] .H

             37          .    makes technical changes.
             38      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             39          None
             40      Other Special Clauses:
             41          None
             42      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             43      AMENDS:
             44          41-6a-401, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 132
             45      ENACTS:
             46          41-6a-401.9, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             47     
             48      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             49          Section 1. Section 41-6a-401 is amended to read:
             50           41-6a-401. Accident involving property damage -- Duties of operator, occupant,
             51      and owner -- Exchange of information -- Notification of law enforcement -- Penalties.
             52          (1) (a) The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to
             53      another vehicle or other property [shall] S. [ may ] .S :
             54          [(a) immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close as possible
             55      without obstructing traffic more than is necessary; and]
             56          (i) S. may .S move the vehicle as soon as possible off the roadway or freeway main lines,
             57      shoulders, medians, or adjacent areas to H. [ a ] the nearest safe .H location on an exit ramp
             57a      shoulder, a frontage road,
             58      the nearest suitable cross street, or other suitable location that does not obstruct traffic; and


             59          [(b)] (ii) S. shall .S remain at the S. [ [ ] scene of the accident [ ] ] or the .S location
             59a      described in Subsection (1)(a)(i)
             60      until the operator has fulfilled the requirements of this section.
             61          (b) Moving a vehicle as required under Subsection (1)(a)(i) does not affect the
             62      determination of fault for an accident.
             63          (2) Except as provided under Subsection (5), if the vehicle or other property is
             64      operated, occupied, or attended by any person or if the owner of the vehicle or property is
             65      present, the operator of the vehicle involved in the accident shall:
             66          (a) give to the persons involved:
             67          (i) the operator's name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle being
             68      operated; and
             69          (ii) the name of the insurance provider covering the vehicle being operated including
             70      the phone number of the agent or provider; and
             71          (b) upon request and if available, exhibit the operator's license to:
             72          (i) any investigating peace officer present;
             73          (ii) the operator, occupant of, or person attending the vehicle or other property
             74      damaged in the accident; and
             75          (iii) the owner of property damaged in the accident, if present.
             76          (3) The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident shall immediately and by the
             77      quickest means of communication available give notice or cause to give notice of the accident
             78      to the nearest office of a law enforcement agency if the accident resulted in property damage to
             79      an apparent extent of [$1,000] H. [ $2,000 ] $1,500 .H or more.
             80          (4) Except as provided under Subsection (5), if the vehicle or other property damaged
             81      in the accident is unattended, the operator of the vehicle involved in the accident shall:
             82          (a) locate and notify the operator or owner of the vehicle or the owner of other property
             83      damaged in the accident of the operator's name, address, and the registration number of the
             84      vehicle causing the damage; or
             85          (b) attach securely in a conspicuous place on the vehicle or other property a written
             86      notice giving the operator's name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle causing
             87      the damage.
             88          (5) The operator of a vehicle that provides the information required under this section
             89      to an investigating peace officer at the scene of the accident is exempt from providing the


             90      information to other persons required under this section.
             91          (6) (a) A person who violates the provisions of Subsection (1) is guilty of a class B
             92      misdemeanor.
             93          (b) A person who violates the provision of Subsection (4) is guilty of a class B
             94      misdemeanor.
             95          Section 2. Section 41-6a-401.9 is enacted to read:
             96          41-6a-401.9. Authority to remove and dispose of vehicles and cargoes of vehicles
             97      involved in accidents.
             98          (1) As a result of a motor vehicle accident, H. [ the Department of Transportation or ] .H a
             98a      law
             99      enforcement agency H. with jurisdiction .H may, without the consent of the owner or carrier,
             99a      remove a vehicle, cargo,
             100      or other personal property that:
             101          (a) has been damaged or spilled within the right-of-way or any portion of a roadway on
             102      the state highway system;
             103          (b) is blocking the roadway; or
             104          (c) is otherwise endangering public safety.
             105          (2) The Department of Transportation or a law enforcement agency shall not be held
             106      responsible for any damages or claims that result from H. exercising any authority or .H the
             106a      failure to exercise any authority
             107      granted under this section provided they are acting in good faith.
             108           H. [ (3) The owner and carrier, if any, of the vehicle, cargo, or personal property removed
             109      or disposed of in accordance with this section shall reimburse the Department of
             110      Transportation or other law enforcement agency for all costs incurred in the removal and
             111      subsequent disposition of the vehicle, cargo, or personal property.
] .H





Legislative Review Note
    as of 11-19-08 2:19 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]