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H.B. 317 Enrolled

             1     

TRAFFIC SAFETY AMENDMENTS

             2     
2012 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Don L. Ipson

             5     
Senate Sponsor: John L. Valentine

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the Traffic Code.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    clarifies that a person who fails to meet certain requirements when approaching an
             13      emergency vehicle shall attend an approved four hour live classroom defensive
             14      driving course;
             15          .    provides that a person who fails to attend a classroom course within 90 days of
             16      sentencing for or pleading guilty to certain violations shall have the person's driver
             17      license suspended for a period of 90 days;
             18          .    provides that the division shall shorten the 90-day suspension period effective
             19      immediately upon receiving a certificate of attendance of the required classroom
             20      course if the certificate of attendance is received prior to completion of the
             21      suspension period;
             22          .    provides that a person whose license is suspended is required to pay certain license
             23      reinstatement fees, even if the suspension is shortened;
             24          .    provides rulemaking authority for the Driver License Division; and
             25          .    makes conforming changes.
             26      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             27          None
             28      Other Special Clauses:
             29          None


             30      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             31      AMENDS:
             32          41-6a-904, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 183
             33     
             34      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             35          Section 1. Section 41-6a-904 is amended to read:
             36           41-6a-904. Approaching emergency vehicle -- Necessary signals -- Stationary
             37      emergency vehicle -- Duties of respective operators.
             38          (1) Except when otherwise directed by a peace officer, the operator of a vehicle, upon
             39      the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle using audible or visual signals
             40      under Section 41-6a-212 or 41-6a-1625 , shall:
             41          (a) yield the right-of-way and immediately move to a position parallel to, and as close
             42      as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of any intersection; and
             43          (b) then stop and remain stopped until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.
             44          (2) The operator of a vehicle, upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency
             45      vehicle that is displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, shall:
             46          (a) reduce the speed of the vehicle;
             47          (b) provide as much space as practical to the stationary authorized emergency vehicle;
             48      and
             49          (c) if traveling in a lane adjacent to the stationary authorized emergency vehicle and if
             50      practical, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change into a lane not
             51      adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle.
             52          (3) The operator of a vehicle, upon approaching a stationary tow truck or highway
             53      maintenance vehicle that is displaying flashing amber lights, shall:
             54          (a) reduce the speed of the vehicle; and
             55          (b) provide as much space as practical to the stationary tow truck or highway
             56      maintenance vehicle.
             57          (4) This section does not relieve the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle, tow


             58      truck, or highway maintenance vehicle from the duty to drive with regard for the safety of all
             59      persons using the highway.
             60          (5) (a) (i) In addition to the penalties prescribed under Section 41-6a-202 , [an
             61      individual in violation of] a person who violates this section shall attend a four hour live
             62      classroom defensive driving course [on driving safety offered by an entity affiliated with the
             63      National Safety Council or] approved by:
             64          (A) the Driver License Division; or
             65          (B) a court [approved traffic school program on defensive driving] in this state.
             66          (ii) Upon completion of the four hour live classroom course under Subsection (5)(a)(i),
             67      the person shall provide to the Driver License Division a certificate of attendance of the
             68      classroom course.
             69          (b) [An individual who fails to provide to the Driver License Division a certificate of
             70      attendance of the classroom course required under Subsection (5)(a), within 60 days of
             71      sentencing or of pleading guilty, shall have the individual's driver license suspended] The
             72      Driver License Division shall suspend a person's driver license for a period of 90 days[.] if the
             73      person:
             74          (i) violates a provision of Subsections (1) through (3); and
             75          (ii) fails to meet the requirements of Subsection (5)(a)(i) within 90 days of sentencing
             76      for or pleading guilty to a violation of this section.
             77          (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (5)(b), the Driver License Division
             78      shall shorten the 90-day suspension period imposed under Subsection (5)(b) effective
             79      immediately upon receiving a certificate of attendance of the four hour live classroom course
             80      required under Subsection (5)(a)(i) if the certificate of attendance is received prior to
             81      completion of the suspension period.
             82          (d) A person whose license is suspended under Subsection (5)(b) is required to pay the
             83      license reinstatement fees under Subsection 53-3-105 (23), including a person whose
             84      suspension is shortened as described under Subsection (5)(c).
             85          (6) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the


             86      Driver License Division shall make rules to implement the provisions of this part.


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