Utah's legislature is considering a boost in its maximum highway speed limit to 80 MPH. A unanimous vote of the Utah Senate Transportation and Public Utilities and Technology Committee on Tuesday recommended adoption of legislation that updates and improves the way speed limits are determined in the state. If approved, Utah would join the state of Texas which implemented the nation's top legal speed of 80 MPH last year.

State Senator Scott K. Jenkins (R-Plain City) introduced the legislation giving state transportation officials the discretion to increase the legal speed on highways where engineering and safety surveys show most motorists are already safely traveling at that speed. His proposal also encourages reasonable limits on other roads based on scientific engineering studies.

Jenkins' measure also creates a new crime of "careless driving" which happens when a motorist commits any traffic violation while: on a cell phone, eating, drinking, smoking, tending to children or other passengers, looking for something dropped in the car, or grooming oneself. The police may use unmarked police cars to issue tickets for careless or reckless driving, but not ordinary speeding. It also outlaws driving slowly in the left lane of a freeway, saying that dawdlers, "may not impede the movement or free flow of traffic in the left general purpose lane."

The full Senate will now consider the legislation.

Article Excerpt:

Text of legislation:

S.B. 17
TRAFFIC CODE AMENDMENTS
2007 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Scott K. Jenkins

General Description:
This bill modifies the Motor Vehicles Code by amending traffic code provisions.

Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
- provides that an unmarked vehicle may be used for routine enforcement of certain violations;
- provides that an authorized emergency vehicle may violate certain provisions while engaged in routine patrolling activities;
- repeals speeds in certain locations as lawful;
- requires the Department of Transportation to establish the safe and prudent speed limit on each section of highway under its jurisdiction and requires that each speed limit be based on a traffic and engineering study;
- changes the maximum posted speed limits;
- provides that an operator of a vehicle traveling in the left lane may not impede the free flow of traffic and shall, upon being overtaken by a vehicle in the same lane, yield to the vehicle;
- provides that if an operator is not following a vehicle in the left lane within a certain distance, it is prima facie evidence that the operator is impeding the free flow of traffic;
- provides that an operator of a vehicle shall follow another vehicle so that at least two seconds elapse before reaching the location of the vehicle directly in front of the operator's vehicle;
- provides that a signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given continuously for two rather than three seconds before making the indicated action;
- provides that an operator of a vehicle that observes another operator indicating the operator's intention to turn shall adjust the vehicle as necessary to accommodate the other operator's intended action;
- defines and prohibits careless driving; and
- makes technical changes.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 41-1a-407 is amended to read:

41-1a-407. Plates issued to political subdivisions or state -- Use of "EX" letters --
Confidential information.

(1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), each municipality, board of education, school district, state institution of learning, county, other governmental division, subdivision, or district, and the state shall:

(a) place a license plate displaying the letters, "EX" on every vehicle owned and operated by it or leased for its exclusive use; and

(b) display an identification mark designating the vehicle as the property of the entity in a conspicuous place on both sides of the vehicle.

(2) The entity need not display the "EX" license plate or the identification mark required by Subsection (1) if:

(a) the vehicle is in the direct service of the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, or state treasurer of Utah;

(b) the vehicle is used in official investigative work where secrecy is essential;

(c) the vehicle is used in an organized Utah Highway Patrol operation that is:

(i) conducted within a county of the first or second class as defined under Section
17-50-501, unless no more than one unmarked vehicle is used for the operation;

(ii) approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety;

(iii) of a duration of 14 consecutive days or less; and

(iv) targeted toward careless driving, aggressive driving, and accidents involving:

(A) violations of Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 5, Driving Under the Influence and
Reckless Driving;

(B) speeding violations for exceeding the posted speed limit by 21 or more miles per hour;

(C) speeding violations in a reduced speed school zone under Section 41-6a-604;

(D) violations of Section 41-6a-1002 related to pedestrian crosswalks; or

(E) violations of Section 41-6a-702 related to lane restrictions;

(d) the vehicle is provided to an official of the entity as part of a compensation package allowing unlimited personal use of that vehicle;

(e) the personal security of the occupants of the vehicle would be jeopardized if the "EX" license plate were in place[.]; or

(f) the vehicle is used in routine enforcement on a state highway with four or more lanes involving:
(i) violations of Section 41-6a-701 related to operating a vehicle on the right side of a roadway;
(ii) violations of Section 41-6a-702 related to left lane restrictions;
(iii) violations of Section 41-6a-704 related to overtaking and passing vehicles proceeding in the same direction;
(iv) violations of Section 41-6a-711 related to following a vehicle at a safe distance; and
(v) violations of Section 41-6a-804 related to turning and changing lanes.

(3) Plates issued to Utah Highway Patrol vehicles may bear the capital letters "UHP," a beehive logo, and the call number of the trooper to whom the vehicle is issued.

(4) (a) The commission shall issue "EX" and "UHP" plates.
(b) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the commission shall make rules establishing the procedure for application for and distribution of the plates.

(5) For a vehicle that qualifies for "EX" or "UHP" license plates, the entity is not required to display an annual registration decal.

(6) (a) Information shall be confidential for vehicles that are not required to display the
"EX" license plate or the identification mark under Subsections (2)(a), (b), (d), and (e).
(b) (i) If a law enforcement officer's identity must be kept secret, his agency head may request in writing that the division remove the license plate information of the officer's personal vehicles from all public access files and place it in a confidential file until the assignment is completed.
(ii) The agency head shall notify the division when the assignment is completed.

(7) A peace officer engaged in an organized operation under Subsection (2)(c) shall be in a uniform clearly identifying the law enforcement agency the peace officer is representing during the operation.

Section 2. Section 41-6a-212 is amended to read:

41-6a-212. Emergency vehicles -- Policy regarding vehicle pursuits -- Applicability of traffic law to highway work vehicles -- Exemptions.

(1) Subject to Subsections (2) through (5), the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle may exercise the privileges granted under this section when:
(a) responding to an emergency call;
(b) in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law; or
(c) responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm.

(2) The operator of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
(a) park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this chapter;
(b) proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;
(c) exceed the maximum speed limits, unless prohibited by a local highway authority under Section 41-6a-208; or
(d) disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.

(3) (a) [Privileges] Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), privileges granted under this section to the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle, who is not involved in a vehicle pursuit, apply only when:
(i) the operator of the vehicle sounds an audible signal under Section 41-6a-1625;or
(ii) uses a visual signal with emergency lights in accordance with rules made under Section 41-6a-1601, which is visible from in front of the vehicle.
(b) An operator of an authorized emergency vehicle may exceed the maximum speed limit when engaged in normal patrolling activities with the purpose of identifying and apprehending violators.

(4) Privileges granted under this section to the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle involved in any vehicle pursuit apply only when:

(a) the operator of the vehicle:
(i) sounds an audible signal under Section 41-6a-1625; and
(ii) uses a visual signal with emergency lights in accordance with rules made under
Section 41-6a-1601, which is visible from in front of the vehicle;

(b) the public agency employing the operator of the vehicle has, in effect, a written policy which describes the manner and circumstances in which any vehicle pursuit should be conducted and terminated;

(c) the operator of the vehicle has been trained in accordance with the written policy described in Subsection (4)(b); and

(d) the pursuit policy of the public agency is in conformance with standards established under Subsection (5).

(5) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
Department of Public Safety shall make rules providing minimum standards for all emergency pursuit policies that are adopted by public agencies authorized to operate emergency pursuit vehicles.

(6) The privileges granted under this section do not relieve the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle of the duty to act as a reasonably prudent emergency vehicle operator in like circumstances.

(7) Except for Sections 41-6a-210, 41-6a-502, and 41-6a-528, this chapter does not apply to persons, motor vehicles, and other equipment while actually engaged in work on the surface of a highway.

Section 3. Section 41-6a-601 is amended to read:

41-6a-601. Speed regulations -- Safe and appropriate speeds at certain locations
-- Prima facie speed limits -- Emergency power of the governor.

(1) A person may not operate a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions, giving regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing, including when:
(a) approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade crossing;

(b) approaching and going around a curve;

(c) approaching a hill crest;

(d) traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway; and

(e) approaching other hazards that exist due to pedestrians, other traffic, weather, or highway conditions.

(2) Subject to Subsections (1) and (4) and Sections 41-6a-602 and 41-6a-603, 20 miles per hour in a reduced speed school zone as defined in Section 41-6a-303 is a lawful speed.

(3) Except as provided in Section 41-6a-604, any speed in excess of the limits provided in this section or established under Sections 41-6a-602 and 41-6a-603 is prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable or prudent and that it is unlawful.

(4) The governor by proclamation in time of war or emergency may change the speed limits on the highways of the state.

Section 4. Section 41-6a-602 is amended to read:

41-6a-602. Speed limits established on state highways.

(1) (a) The Department of Transportation shall determine the reasonable and safe speed limit for each highway or section of highway under its jurisdiction.

(b) For each highway or section of highway, each speed limit shall be based on a traffic engineering and safety study consistent with the requirements and recommendations in the most current version of the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices."

(c) The traffic engineering and safety studies shall include:
(i) the design speed;
(ii) prevailing vehicle speeds;
(iii) accident history;
(iv) highway, traffic, and roadside conditions; and
(v) other highway safety factors.

(2) In addition to the provisions of Subsection (1), the Department of Transportation may establish different speed limits on a highway or section of highway based on:
(a) time of day;
(b) highway construction;
(c) type of vehicle;
(d) weather conditions; and
(e) other highway safety factors.

(3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a posted speed limit may not exceed 70 miles per hour.

(b) A posted speed limit on a freeway or other limited access highways may not exceed 80 miles per hour.

(c) This Subsection (3) is an exception to the provisions of Subsections (1) and (2).

(4) When establishing or changing a speed limit, the Department of Transportation shall consult with the following entities prior to erecting or changing a speed limit sign:

(a) the county for state highways in an unincorporated area of the county;

(b) the municipality for state highways within the municipality's incorporated area;

(c) the Department of Public Safety; and

(d) the Transportation Commission.

(5) The speed limit is effective when appropriate signs giving notice are erected along the highway or section of the highway.

Section 5. Section 41-6a-704 is amended to read:

41-6a-704. Overtaking and passing vehicles proceeding in same direction.

(1) On any highway:

(a) the operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction:

(i) shall, except as provided under Section 41-6a-705, promptly pass the overtaken vehicle on the left at a safe distance; and
(ii) enter a right-hand lane or the right side of the roadway only when safely clear of the overtaken vehicle;

(b) the operator of an overtaken vehicle:
(i) shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle; and
(ii) may not increase the speed of the vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.

(2) On a highway having more than one lane in the same direction, the operator of a vehicle traveling in the left general purpose lane:
(a) shall, upon being overtaken by another vehicle in the same lane, yield to the overtaking vehicle by moving safely to a lane to the right; and
(b) may not impede the movement or free flow of traffic in the left general purpose lane.

(3) An operator of a vehicle following a vehicle in the left general purpose lane at a distance so that more than two seconds elapse before reaching the location of the vehicle directly in front of the operator's vehicle when space is available for the operator to travel in a right-hand lane is prima facie evidence that the operator is violating Subsection (2).

(4) The provisions of Subsection (2) do not apply to an operator of a vehicle traveling in the left general purpose lane when:

(a) overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction in accordance with Subsection (1)(a);
(b) preparing to turn left or taking a different highway or an exit on the left;
(c) responding to emergency conditions;
(d) avoiding actual or potential traffic moving onto the highway from an acceleration or merging lane; or
(e) following the direction of a traffic-control device that directs the use of a designated lane.

Section 6. Section 41-6a-711 is amended to read:

41-6a-711. Following another vehicle -- Safe distance -- Exceptions.

(1) The operator of a vehicle:

(a) may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having egard for the:
(i) speed of the vehicles;
(ii) traffic upon the highway; and
(iii) condition of the highway; and

(b) shall follow at a distance so that at least two seconds elapse before reaching the location of the vehicle directly in front of the operator's vehicle.

(2) Subsection (1)(b) does not apply to funeral processions or to congested traffic conditions resulting in prevailing vehicle speeds of less than 35 miles per hour.

Section 7. Section 41-6a-804 is amended to read:

41-6a-804. Turning or changing lanes -- Safety -- Signals -- Stopping or sudden decrease in speed -- Signal flashing -- Where prohibited.

(1) (a) A person may not turn a vehicle or move right or left on a roadway or change lanes until:

(i) the movement can be made with reasonable safety; and
(ii) an appropriate signal has been given as provided under this section.
(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left or to change lanes shall be given continuously for at least the last [three] two seconds preceding the beginning of the movement.
(2) A person may not stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal to the operator of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give a signal.

(3) (a) A stop or turn signal when required shall be given either by the hand and arm or by signal lamps.

(b) If hand and arm signals are used, a person operating a vehicle shall give the required hand and arm signals from the left side of the vehicle as follows:

(i) Left turn: hand and arm extended horizontally;
(ii) Right turn: hand and arm extended upward; and
(iii) Stop or decrease speed: hand and arm extended downward.

(c) (i) A person operating a bicycle or device propelled by human power may give the required hand and arm signals for a right turn by extending the right hand and arm horizontally to the right.
(ii) This Subsection (3)(c) is an exception to the provision of Subsection (3)(b)(ii).

(4) A person required to make a signal under this section may not flash a signal:

(a) on one side only on a disabled vehicle;

(b) as a courtesy or "do pass" to operators of other vehicles approaching from the rear; or

(c) on one side only of a parked vehicle.

(5) An operator of a vehicle that observes a proper signal under Subsection (1), (2), or (3) by another operator of a vehicle shall adjust the vehicle's movement as necessary to accommodate the other operator's indicated action.

Section 8. Section 41-6a-1715 is enacted to read:

41-6a-1715. Careless driving defined and prohibited.

A person operating a motor vehicle is guilty of careless driving if the person:

(1) commits two or more moving traffic violations under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Traffic Code, in a series of acts within a single continuous period of driving: or

(2) commits a moving traffic violation under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Traffic Code, while being distracted by one or more activities not related to the operation of a motor vehicle, including:

(a) using a wireless telephone or other electronic device;
(b) eating, drinking, or smoking;
(c) physically attending to a passenger;
(d) searching for an item in the vehicle; or
(e) attending to personal hygiene or grooming.