1     
VEHICLE PLATOONING AMENDMENTS

2     
2018 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper

5     
House Sponsor: Kay J. Christofferson

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies provisions of the Traffic Code related to safe following distance.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     defines "connected platooning system";
13          ▸     provides an exemption to a minimum following distance requirement for the
14     operator of a vehicle that is part of a connected platooning system; and
15          ▸     makes technical and conforming 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-711, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapters 277 and 412
23     

24     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25          Section 1. Section 41-6a-711 is amended to read:
26          41-6a-711. Following another vehicle -- Safe distance -- Exceptions -- Penalty.
27          (1) As used in this section, "connected platooning system" means a system that uses
28     vehicle-to-vehicle communication to electronically coordinate the speed and braking of a lead
29     vehicle with the speed and braking of one or more following vehicles.
30          [(1)] (2) The operator of a vehicle:
31          (a) may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having
32     regard for the:
33          (i) speed of the vehicles;
34          (ii) traffic upon the highway; and
35          (iii) condition of the highway; and
36          (b) shall follow at a distance so that at least two seconds elapse before reaching the
37     location of the vehicle directly in front of the operator's vehicle.
38          [(2)] (3) Subsection [(1)] (2)(b) does not apply to:
39          (a) funeral processions or to congested traffic conditions resulting in prevailing vehicle
40     speeds of less than 35 miles per hour; or
41          [(b) a connected vehicle technology testing program that uses networked wireless
42     communication among vehicles, infrastructure, or communication devices that is:]
43          [(i) approved by the Department of Transportation in consultation with the Department
44     of Public Safety; and]
45          [(ii) conducted outside of an urbanized boundary as defined by the United States
46     Census Bureau.]
47          [(3) The Department of Transportation shall report the results of the testing program
48     conducted under Subsection (2)(b) to the Transportation Interim Committee by no later than
49     October 30 of any year that a testing program is conducted.]
50          (b) the operator of a vehicle that is:
51          (i) part of a connected platooning system; and
52          (ii) not the lead vehicle.
53          (4) A violation of Subsection [(1)] (2) is an infraction.