01 February 2010

Idaho-style stop law under review for Utah

I found this on the Daily Herald website:

A House panel will consider a bill that would create rules for bicyclists pulling up at stop signs and red lights.

House Bill 91 would allow bicyclists to go through a red light after yielding to all traffic.

At a stop sign a biker would have to yield the right of way to any vehicle at the intersection before continuing.

A committee will meet to debate the proposal this week.

Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, a Democrat from Holladay, is sponsoring the bill.


This is very similar to the "Idaho stop law" that has been debated recently. This is what the Idaho law says...

Idaho Statutes Title 49 is the motor vehicle code. Chapter 7 deals with pedestrians and bicycles; section 720 regulates stopping and is where Idaho permits cyclists' 'rolling stop' at stop signs. This section also allows cyclists to treat red lights like stop signs.

49-720. STOPPING -- TURN AND STOP SIGNALS.
(1) A person operating abicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a stop sign shall slow down and,if required for safety, stop before entering the intersection. After slowing to a reasonable speed or stopping, the person shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the person is moving across or within the intersection or junction of highways, except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping.
(2) A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a steady red traffic control light shall stop before entering the intersection and shall yield to all other traffic. Once the person has yielded, he may proceed through the steady red light with caution. Provided however, that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a right-hand turn. A left-hand turn onto a one-way highway may be made on a red light after stopping and yielding to other traffic.
(3) A person riding a bicycle shall comply with the provisions of section49-643, Idaho Code.
(4) A signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given during not less than the last one hundred (100) feet traveled by the bicycle before turning, provided that a signal by hand and arm need not be given if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.

We can only hope that the law passes here in Utah.
(thanks to Fritz at Cyclelicio.us for posting the Idaho stop law on his site)

No comments: