A. Regulations:
1. Except when otherwise directed by a peace officer, the operator of a vehicle, upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle using audible or visual signals under Utah Code Annotated, section 41-6a-212 or 41-6a-1625, shall:
a. Yield the right-of-way and immediately move to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of any intersection; and
b. Then stop and remain stopped until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.
2. The operator of a vehicle, upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, shall:
a. Reduce the speed of the vehicle;
b. Provide as much space as practical to the stationary authorized emergency vehicle; and
c. If traveling in a lane adjacent to the stationary authorized emergency vehicle and if practical, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle.
3. If the operator of a vehicle is traveling in an HOV lane, upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, the requirements in subsection A2 of this section apply.
a. The operator of a vehicle traveling in an HOV lane, upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, shall, if practical, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change out of the HOV lane into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle.
4. The operator of a vehicle, upon approaching a stationary tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle that is displaying flashing amber lights, shall:
a. Reduce the speed of the vehicle; and
b. Provide as much space as practical to the stationary tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle.
5. The operator of a vehicle traveling in an HOV lane, upon approaching a stationary tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle that is displaying flashing amber lights, shall, if practical, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change out of the HOV lane into a lane not adjacent to the tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle.
6. This section does not relieve the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or highway maintenance vehicle from the duty to drive with regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
7. In addition to the penalties prescribed under subsection A14 of this section, a person who violates this section shall attend a four (4) hour live classroom defensive driving course approved by:
a. The Utah Driver License Division; or
b. A court in this State.
8. Upon completion of the four (4) hour live classroom course under subsection A7 of this section, the person shall provide to the Utah Driver License Division a certificate of attendance of the classroom course.
9. The Utah Driver License Division shall suspend a person's driver license for a period of ninety (90) days if the person:
a. Violates a provision of subsections A1 through A5 of this section; and
b. Fails to meet the requirements of subsection A7 of this section within ninety (90) days of sentencing for or pleading guilty to a violation of this section.
10. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A9 of this section, the Utah Driver License Division shall shorten the 90-day suspension period imposed under subsection A9 of this section effective immediately upon receiving a certificate of attendance of the four (4) hour live classroom course required under subsection A7 of this section if the certificate of attendance is received before the completion of the suspension period.
11. A person whose license is suspended under subsection A9 of this section and a person whose suspension is shortened as described under subsection A10 of this section shall pay the license reinstatement fees under Utah Code Annotated, section 53-3-105(24).
12. In accordance with Utah Code Annotated, title 63G, chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the Utah Driver License Division shall make rules to implement the provisions of this part.
13. As used in this section:
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE: Includes:
a. Fire Department vehicles;
b. Police vehicles;
c. Ambulances; and
d. Other publicly or privately owned vehicles as designated by the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.
HIGHWAY: Means the entire width between property lines of every way or place of any nature when any part of it is open to the use of the public as a matter of right for vehicular travel.
INTERSECTION: Means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curblines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two (2) or more highways that join one another.
a. Where a highway includes two (2) roadways thirty feet (30') or more apart:
(1) Every crossing of each roadway of the divided highway by an intersecting highway is a separate intersection; and
(2) If the intersecting highway also includes two (2) roadways thirty feet (30') or more apart, then every crossing of two (2) roadways of the highways is a separate intersection.
b. "Intersection" does not include the junction of an alley with a street or highway.
OPERATOR: Means:
a. A human driver, as defined in Utah Code Annotated, section 41-26-102.1, that operates a vehicle; or
b. An automated driving system, as defined in Utah Code Annotated, section 41-26-102.1, that operates a vehicle.
PEACE OFFICER: Means a peace officer authorized under Utah Code Annotated, title 53, chapter 13, Peace Officer Classifications, to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic laws.
RIGHT-OF-WAY: Means the right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching under circumstances of direction, speed, and proximity that give rise to danger of collision unless one grants precedence to the other.
TRAFFIC: Means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, and other conveyances either singly or together while using any highway for the purpose of travel.
TRUCK: Means a motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.
VEHICLE: Means a device in, on, or by which a person or property is or may be transported or drawn on a highway, except a mobile carrier, as defined in Utah Code Annotated, section 41-6a-1120, or a device used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks.
14. A violation of subsection A1, A2, A3, A4, or A5 of this section is an infraction. (Ord. 19-12, 7-30-2019)