How, exactly, am I supposed to obey this law (Utah Code 41-6a-804):
41-6a-804. Turning or changing lanes — Safety — Signals — Stopping or sudden decrease in speed — Signal flashing — Where prohibited.
(1) (a) A person may not turn a vehicle or move right or left on a roadway or change lanes until:
(i) the movement can be made with reasonable safety; and
(ii) an appropriate signal has been given as provided under this section.
(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left or to change lanes shall be given continuously for at least the last three seconds preceding the beginning of the movement.
(2) A person may not stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal to the operator of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give a signal.
(3) (a) A stop or turn signal when required shall be given either by the hand and arm or by signal lamps.
(b) If hand and arm signals are used, a person operating a vehicle shall give the required hand and arm signals from the left side of the vehicle as follows:
(i) Left turn: hand and arm extended horizontally;
(ii) Right turn: hand and arm extended upward; and
(iii) Stop or decrease speed: hand and arm extended downward.
(c) (i) A person operating a bicycle or device propelled by human power may give the required hand and arm signals for a right turn by extending the right hand and arm horizontally to the right.
(ii) This Subsection (3)(c) is an exception to the provision of Subsection (3)(b)(ii).
(4) A person required to make a signal under this section may not flash a signal:
(a) on one side only on a disabled vehicle;
(b) as a courtesy or "do pass" to operators of other vehicles approaching from the rear; or
(c) on one side only of a parked vehicle.Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 2, 2005 General Session
I can basically obey it, but odds are I broke it in some detail yesterday and probably will again. Most likely be not waiting 3 full seconds after signaling before changing lanes.
The trouble is that this is an open invitation to abuse by police. This is an excuse to “stop and search” law. It has some public safety merit but its real use is for police to have a reason to search you.
I looked it up because this sap was taken in by it:
It turns out he had some issue with his license and shouldn’t be driving. He is now in jail. But how many people do the SG Police pull over and bug to get this one hit?
Not me. I haven’t been pulled over, but I see it all the time. I suppose if I keep writing stuff like this they may take a look at my driving a bit closer. After all, it just takes a 2 second delay after signaling instead of 3 and I’m ripe for pulling over.
P.S. That cop who was behind me yesterday… he didn’t signal at all before switching lanes to turn left off the road I was traveling on.
November 25th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
This may sound complicated but its covered in day two of driver’s ed. Don’t blame the vehicle code if your cops don’t have much common sense. I don’t see how you can have it both ways, though. This yahoo got caught because a cop was using the tools that are available. If I pulled you over for not signalling, I’d have you on your way as soon as your license/warrant ckeck came back OK. I try not to write the taxpayers up, unless they get mouthy.
November 25th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Given the stats St. George publishes on tickets, of 1700 tickets and 60 warnings, it seems they are writing taxpayers up extensively. I’d call that a shake down, basically with the code as specific as it is you can’t _not_ violate it, which means when you drive it is only random luck that keeps you from whipping out your checkbook.
November 26th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Well, the VC has to be specific, or the problem you describe would be even worse. The problem is a PD that doesn’t have its priorities straight. Do they have red light cameras yet? What is the average number of cites written in a city that size? Is St George higher or lower than average?
November 26th, 2008 at 9:40 am
I don’t know. I don’t think their info is readily available online. And I bet if people start analyzing St. George’s and causing them grief it won’t be available for much longer either.
November 26th, 2008 at 9:41 am
BTW: The cop in front of me on the way to work today didn’t signal 3 seconds before changing lanes nor 3 seconds before turning off the road. Citizens arrest time!