REFERENCE TITLE: roundabouts; right-of-way; large vehicles

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

2023

 

 

 

HB 2288

 

Introduced by

Representatives Cook: Hernandez A, Peņa, Seaman, Stahl Hamilton, Terech

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Act

 

amending section 28-729, Arizona Revised Statutes; amending title 28, chapter 3, article 9, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 28-778; relating to traffic regulation.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 28-729, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE28-729. Driving on roadways laned for traffic

If a roadway is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the following rules in addition to all others consistent with this section apply:

1. Except as provided in section sections 28-778 and 28-903, a person shall drive a vehicle as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not move the vehicle from that lane until the driver has first ascertained that the movement can be made with safety.

2. On a roadway that is divided into three lanes, a person shall not drive a vehicle in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for a left turn or where the center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding and is signposted to give notice of the allocation.

3. Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving traffic to use a designated lane or designating those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of the center of the roadway, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every sign. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Title 28, chapter 3, article 9, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 28-778, to read:

START_STATUTE28-778. Roundabouts; definition

A. The operator of a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a total length of a least forty feet or a total width of at least ten feet, with due regard for all other traffic, may deviate from the lane in which the operator is driving to the extent necessary to approach and drive through a roundabout.

B. When approaching or driving through a roundabout, a person who is driving a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to the operator who is driving a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a total length of at least forty feet or a total width of at least ten feet through the roundabout at the same time or so closely in time as to present an immediate hazard and shall slow down or stop if necessary to yield.  This subsection does not require a person who is driving a vehicle through a roundabout to yield the right-of-way to the operator of a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a total length of at least forty feet or a total width of at least ten feet that is approaching the roundabout.

C. If two vehicles or combination of vehicles each having a total length of at least forty feet or a total width of at least ten feet approach or drive through a roundabout at the same time or so closely in time as to present an immediate hazard, the driver on the right shall yield the right-of-way to the driver on the left and shall slow down or stop if necessary to yield.

D. The director or local jurisdiction shall post at all roundabouts, whether constructed before, on or after the effective date of this section, a minimum of one yield sign before the roundabout entrance in addition to a sign of a roundabout.  The sign shall state "Trucks have right-of-way in roundabout" and shall:

1. Be rectangular in shape.

2. Have black lettering with a white background.

3. Be located under a standard yield sign.

E. For the purposes of this section, "roundabout" means a circular intersection or junction in which road traffic flows almost continuously in one direction around a central island. END_STATUTE