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H.B. 30

             1     

SCHOOL BUS LIGHT REQUIREMENT

             2     
2000 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Sponsor: Neal B. Hendrickson

             5      AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; AMENDING CERTAIN SCHOOL BUS LIGHT
             6      PROVISIONS.
             7      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             8      AMENDS:
             9          41-6-100.10, as last amended by Chapter 212, Laws of Utah 1999
             10      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             11          Section 1. Section 41-6-100.10 is amended to read:
             12           41-6-100.10. School bus -- Signs and light signals -- Flashing amber lights -- Flashing
             13      red lights -- Passing school bus -- Duty to stop -- Travel in opposite direction -- Penalties.
             14          (1) [(a)] Every school bus, when operated for the transportation of school children, shall:
             15          (a) bear upon the front and rear of the bus a plainly visible sign containing the words
             16      "school bus" in letters not less than eight inches in height, which shall be removed or covered
             17      when the vehicle is not in use for the transportation of school children[.]; and
             18          (b) [Every school bus, when operated for the transportation of school children, shall] be
             19      equipped with alternating flashing amber and red light signals visible from the front and rear, of
             20      a type approved and mounted as prescribed by the department.
             21          (2) The operator of any vehicle upon a highway, upon meeting or overtaking any school
             22      bus equipped with signals required under this section which is displaying alternating flashing:
             23          (a) amber warning light signals, shall slow his vehicle, but may proceed past the school
             24      bus using due care and caution at a speed not greater than specified in Subsection 41-6-46 (2) for
             25      school zones for the safety of the school children that may be in the vicinity[.]; or
             26          [(3)] (b) [If a school bus is displaying alternating flashing] red light signals visible from
             27      the front or rear[, all approaching or overtaking vehicles on the same roadway] shall stop

             28      immediately before reaching the bus and may not proceed until the flashing red light signals cease
             29      operation.
             30          (3) The operator of a vehicle need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus
             31      displaying alternating flashing red light signals if the school bus is traveling in the opposite
             32      direction when:
             33          (a) traveling upon a divided highway;
             34          (b) the bus is stopped at an intersection or other place controlled by a traffic-control signal
             35      or by a peace officer; or
             36          (c) upon a highway of five or more lanes, which may include a left-turn lane or two-way
             37      left turn lane.
             38          (4) (a) The operator of a school bus shall operate alternating flashing red light signals at
             39      all times when children are unloading from a school bus to cross a highway, or when a school bus
             40      is stopped for the purpose of loading children who must cross a highway to board the bus, or at any
             41      other time when it would be hazardous for vehicles to proceed past the stopped school bus.
             42          (b) The alternating flashing red light signals may not be operated except when the school
             43      bus is stopped for loading or unloading school children or for any emergency purpose.
             44          (5) The operator of a school bus being operated on a highway shall have the headlights of
             45      the school bus lighted.
             46          [(5)] (6) (a) A violation of Subsection (2) or (3) is a class C misdemeanor and the
             47      minimum fine shall be:
             48          (i) $100 for a first offense;
             49          (ii) $200 for a second offense within three years of a previous conviction or bail forfeiture;
             50      and
             51          (iii) $500 for a third and subsequent offense within three years of a previous conviction
             52      or bail forfeiture.
             53          (b) A violation of Subsection (5) is a class C misdemeanor and the fine shall be $50.
             54          [(b)] (c) The court may order the person to perform compensatory service in lieu of the
             55      fine or any portion of the fine if the court makes the reasons for the waiver part of the record.
             56          [(6)] (7) The Driver License Division shall develop and implement a record system to
             57      distinguish:
             58          (a) a conviction or bail forfeiture under this section from other convictions; and

             59          (b) between a first and subsequent conviction or bail forfeiture under this section.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 12-21-99 8:37 AM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

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