ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: TI DP 7-1-2-1

HB2142: move over law study committee

Sponsor: Representative Cook, LD 7

House Engrossed

Overview

Establishes the Move Over Law Study Committee.

History

Except when otherwise directed by a police officer, on the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle that is equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting a red or red and blue light or lens visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front of the vehicle and that is giving an audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle or bell, the driver of another vehicle must:

1)   yield the right-of-way;

2)   immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection; and

3)   stop and remain in the position prescribed above until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.

The driver of a vehicle other than one on official business must not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than 500 feet or drive into or park the vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.

When a police vehicle is giving a visual signal with at least one lighted red or red and blue light or lens and is giving an audible signal by siren, the driver of another vehicle must not approach or drive parallel to the police vehicle and must maintain a distance of at least 300 feet behind any police vehicle involved in an emergency until the police vehicle moves to the lane closest to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway.

Defensive driving school courses offered by defensive driving schools, traffic survival school and any driver education program approved by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) must include educational information relating to authorized emergency vehicles. ADOT must include information relating to authorized emergency vehicles in any of the ADOT's examination, information or education material.

ADOT must educate the public about the above requirements periodically throughout the year and maintain information on these requirements on ADOT's website (A.R.S. § 28-775).

Provisions

1.   ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteCreates the Move Over Law Study Committee (Study Committee) with the following membership:

a)   two members of the Senate from different political parties appointed by the President of the Senate who must designate one of these members to serve as Co-Chairperson of the Study Committee;

b)   two members of the House of Representatives from different political parties appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives who must designate one of these members to serve as Co-Chairperson of the Study Committee;

c) the Director of ADOT or the Director's designee;

d)   two members appointed by the Director of the Department of Public Safety; and

e)   one designated towing representative appointed by the Governor. (Sec. 1)

2.   Requires the Study Committee to:

a)   conduct a comprehensive study to determine the efficacy of statute relating to vehicles yielding to authorized emergency vehicles and to determine if additional promotion of the law is needed to ensure its effectiveness;

b)   identify any potential additional resources or policy initiatives that would enhance public safety or could be devoted to improving the efficacy of statute relating to vehicles yielding to authorized emergency vehicles;

c) propose legislation to address issues identified by the Study Committee;

d)   make policy recommendations to improve safety matters for first responders and citizens and produce policy recommendations relating to safety under statute relating to vehicles yielding to authorized emergency vehicles;

e)   submit a report by December 1, 2024, regarding the Study Committee's activities and recommendations for administrative or legislative action to the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and provide a copy of this report to the Secretary of State. (Sec. 1)

3.   Restricts all Study Committee members from being eligible to receive compensation but specifies that the member appointed by the Governor is eligible for reimbursement of expenses. (Sec. 1)

4.   Repeals the Study Committee on October 1, 2025. (Sec. 1)

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8.                     HB 2142

9.   Initials LM           Page 0 House Engrossed

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