Senate Engrossed House Bill

 

roundabouts; right-of-way; large vehicles

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

2023

 

 

 

CHAPTER 107

 

HOUSE BILL 2288

 

 

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; definitions

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, on highways under the applicable jurisdiction, shall post signs at all roundabouts, whether constructed before, on or after the effective date of this section.  The signs shall include both of the following:

1. A yield sign before the roundabout entrance.

2. A sign, as outlined in subsection E of this section, before the roundabout entrance.

E. The department shall:

1. Design a uniform and standard sign to convey the information that large trucks have the right-of-way or that vehicles should YIELD to large trucks in a roundabout.

2. Develop a uniform standard by which the sign is to be displayed along with the standard YIELD sign.

F. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Collector street" means a street that serves or is intended to serve as the principal traffic way between large and separated areas or districts and that is the main means of access between arterial streets or as otherwise defined in a local jurisdiction's transportation plan.

2. "Local road" means a street that is usually in a residential area and that provides connectivity between a collector street and an arterial street for local traffic or as otherwise defined in a local jurisdiction's transportation plan.

3. "Roundabout":

(a) Means a circular intersection or junction in which road traffic flows almost continuously in one direction around a central island.

(b) For the purposes of subsection D of this section, does not include an intersection or junction that is located on a local road or a collector street. END_STATUTE


 

 

 

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR MAY 1, 2023.

 

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE MAY 1, 2023.