Recent Utah Driving Related Law Changes

S.B. 152 Vehicle Load Penalties Amendments

1. 1. Any person who violates this section is guilty of:
      • an infraction, if the violation creates a hazard but does not lead to a motor vehicle accident.
      • a class B misdemeanor, if the violation creates a hazard that leads to a motor vehicle accident; or
      • a class A misdemeanor, if the violation creates a hazard that leads to a motor vehicle accident that results in the serious bodily injury or death of a person.
   2. A person who violates a provision of this section shall be fined not less than:
      • $200 for a violation; or
      • $500 for a second or subsequent

H.B. 143 Driver License Suspension Amendments

• • The division may not revoke, deny, suspend, or disqualify an individual’s driver license based solely on:
    • the individual’s failure to appear.
    • the individual’s failure to pay an outstanding penalty accounts receivable; or
    • the issuance of a bench warrant as a result of an event described in Subsection.

H.B. 18 Driver Education Amendments

• • The division, upon receiving an application for a learner permit, may issue a learner permit effective for 18 months to an applicant who is at least 15 years old.
  • Rules made by the commissioner may not require observation time to observe the instructor, another student driver, or another road user.
  • The prohibition on rulemaking described in Subsection (2)(a) does not prohibit a commercial driver education school or other driver education program from including observation time as part of a driver education curriculum.

H.B. 69 Traffic Code Amendments

• • A person may not turn a vehicle, merge into a continuing lane from a lane of travel that is ending, or otherwise move right or left on a roadway or change lanes until:
    1. the movement can be made with reasonable safety; and
    2. an appropriate signal has been given as provided under this section.
  • A signal of intention to turn right or left or to change lanes shall be given continuously for at least the last two seconds preceding the beginning of the movement.

• • 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.
  • A stop or turn signal when required shall be given either by the hand and arm or by signal lamps.

H.B. 142 Cyclist Traffic Amendments

• Except as provided in Subsection (6), an individual operating a bicycle approaching a stop sign may proceed through the intersection without stopping at the stop sign if:
  • the individual slows to a reasonable speed; and
  • yields the right-of-way to:
    • any pedestrian within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk.
    • other traffic within the intersection; and
    • oncoming traffic that poses an immediate hazard during the time the individual is traveling through the intersection.