H.B. 272

1

TRAFFIC SIGNAL AMENDMENTS
2 2013 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Michael S. Kennedy
5 Senate Sponsor: Mark B. Madsen
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies the Traffic Code by amending left turn provisions.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . provides that under certain circumstances an operator of a vehicle facing a steady
13 red arrow signal may cautiously enter the intersection to turn left from a one-way
14 street into a one-way street; and
15 . makes technical changes.
16 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
17 None
18 Other Special Clauses:
19 None
20 Utah Code Sections Affected:
21 AMENDS:
22 41-6a-305, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 2
23
24 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 Section 1. Section 41-6a-305 is amended to read:
26 41-6a-305. Traffic-control signal -- At intersections -- At place other than
27 intersection -- Color of light signal -- Inoperative traffic-control signals.

28 (1) (a) Green, red, and yellow are the only colors that may be used in a traffic-control
29 signal, except for a:
30 (i) pedestrian traffic-control signal that may use white and orange; and
31 (ii) rail vehicle that may use white.
32 (b) Traffic-control signals apply to the operator of a vehicle and to a pedestrian as
33 provided in this section.
34 (2) (a) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(a)(ii), the operator of a vehicle facing a
35 circular green signal may:
36 (A) proceed straight through the intersection;
37 (B) turn right; or
38 (C) turn left.
39 (ii) The operator of a vehicle facing a circular green signal, including an operator
40 turning right or left:
41 (A) shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the
42 intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time the signal is exhibited; and
43 (B) may not turn right or left if a sign at the intersection prohibits the turn.
44 (b) The operator of a vehicle facing a green arrow signal shown alone or in
45 combination with another indication:
46 (i) may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the
47 arrow or other indication shown at the same time; and
48 (ii) shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk
49 and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
50 (c) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian traffic-control signal under Section
51 41-6a-306 , a pedestrian facing any green signal other than a green turn arrow may proceed
52 across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
53 (3) (a) The operator of a vehicle facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal
54 is warned that the allowable movement related to a green signal is being terminated.
55 (b) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian traffic-control signal under Section
56 41-6a-306 , a pedestrian facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal is advised that
57 there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown, and a pedestrian
58 may not start to cross the roadway.

59 (4) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(c), the operator of a vehicle facing a
60 steady circular red or red arrow signal:
61 (i) may not enter the intersection unless entering the intersection to make a movement
62 is permitted by another indication; and
63 (ii) shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the marked or
64 unmarked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection and shall remain stopped until an
65 indication to proceed is shown.
66 (b) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian traffic-control signal under Section
67 41-6a-306 , a pedestrian facing a steady red signal alone may not enter the roadway.
68 (c) (i) (A) [Except when facing a red arrow signal or when a sign is in place prohibiting
69 a turn, the] The operator of a vehicle facing [any] a steady circular red signal may cautiously
70 enter the intersection to turn right, or may turn left from a one-way street into a one-way street,
71 after stopping as required by Subsection (4)(a).
72 (B) If permitted by a traffic control device, the operator of a vehicle facing a steady red
73 arrow signal may cautiously enter the intersection to turn left from a one-way street into a
74 one-way street after stopping as required by Subsection (4)(a).
75 (ii) The operator of a vehicle under Subsection (4)(c)(i) shall yield the right-of-way to:
76 (A) another vehicle moving through the intersection in accordance with an official
77 traffic-control signal; and
78 (B) a pedestrian lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk.
79 (5) (a) This section applies to a highway or rail line where a traffic-control signal is
80 erected and maintained.
81 (b) Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the highway pavement
82 indicating where the stop shall be made, but, in the absence of any sign or marking, the stop
83 shall be made at the signal.
84 (6) The operator of a vehicle approaching an intersection that has an inoperative
85 traffic-control signal shall:
86 (a) stop before entering the intersection; and
87 (b) yield the right-of-way to any vehicle as required under Section 41-6a-901 .

Legislative Review Note
as of 12-19-12 3:11 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

[Bill Documents]