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S.B. 38

             1     

RESTRICTIONS ON HIGH OCCUPANCY

             2     
VEHICLE LANE

             3     
2010 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Karen W. Morgan

             6     
House Sponsor: Bradley M. Daw

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill modifies the Traffic Code by amending provisions relating to a high
             11      occupancy vehicle lane.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    provides that a designated HOV lane shall be open for general vehicle use
             15      regardless of the number of occupants except during the peak hours of:
             16              .    6 a.m. to 9 a.m.; and
             17              .    4 p.m. to 7 p.m.;
             18          .    requires the Department of Transportation to allow for continuous permitted access
             19      into and out of all HOV lanes by marking the lanes with a single dotted normal
             20      white line; and
             21          .    makes technical changes.
             22      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             23          None
             24      Other Special Clauses:
             25          None
             26      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             27      AMENDS:


             28          41-6a-702, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
             29     
             30      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             31          Section 1. Section 41-6a-702 is amended to read:
             32           41-6a-702. Left lane restrictions -- Exceptions -- Other lane restrictions --
             33      Penalties.
             34          (1) As used in this section and Section 41-6a-704 , "general purpose lane" means a
             35      highway lane open to vehicular traffic but does not include a designated:
             36          (a) high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane; or
             37          (b) auxiliary lane that begins as a freeway on-ramp and ends as part of the next freeway
             38      off-ramp.
             39          (2) On a freeway or section of a freeway which has three or more general purpose lanes
             40      in the same direction, a person may not operate a vehicle in the left most general purpose lane
             41      if the person's:
             42          (a) vehicle is drawing a trailer or semitrailer regardless of size; or
             43          (b) vehicle or combination of vehicles has a gross vehicle weight of 12,001 or more
             44      pounds.
             45          (3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a person operating a vehicle who is:
             46          (a) preparing to turn left or taking a different highway split or an exit on the left;
             47          (b) responding to emergency conditions;
             48          (c) avoiding actual or potential traffic moving onto the highway from an acceleration or
             49      merging lane; or
             50          (d) following direction signs that direct use of a designated lane.
             51          (4) (a) A highway authority may designate a specific lane or lanes of travel for any type
             52      of vehicle on a highway or portion of a highway under its jurisdiction for the:
             53          (i) safety of the public;
             54          (ii) efficient maintenance of a highway; or
             55          (iii) use of high occupancy vehicles.
             56          (b) The lane designation under Subsection (4)(a) is effective when appropriate signs
             57      giving notice are erected on the highway or portion of the highway.
             58          (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (4)(a)(iii), if a highway authority


             59      designates an HOV lane, the lane shall be open for general vehicle use regardless of the
             60      number of occupants except during the peak hours of:
             61          (i) 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.; and
             62          (ii) 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
             63          (d) The department shall allow for continuous permitted access into and out of all
             64      HOV lanes by marking the lanes with a single dotted normal white line.
             65          (5) (a) Subject to Subsection (5)(b), the lane designation under Subsection (4)(a) shall
             66      allow a vehicle with clean fuel special group license plates issued in accordance with Section
             67      41-1a-418 to travel in lanes designated for the use of high occupancy vehicles regardless of the
             68      number of occupants to the extent authorized or permitted by federal law or federal regulation.
             69          (b) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
             70      Department of Transportation may make rules to allow a vehicle with clean fuel special group
             71      license plates issued in accordance with Section 41-1a-418 to travel in lanes designated for the
             72      use of high occupancy vehicles regardless of the number of occupants to the extent authorized
             73      or permitted by federal law or federal regulation.
             74          (6) A person who operates a vehicle in violation of Subsection (2) or in violation of the
             75      restrictions made under Subsection (4) is guilty of a class C misdemeanor.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-5-10 3:45 PM


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