Utah Traffic Law, Is vague unfair and unknown to many Utahns.
- 00:08:17
- YouTube
Utah Traffic Law, Is vague unfair and unknown to many Utahns.
All the traffic laws that I have ever learned about have been in the State's driver's manual. Examples of these laws are- following posted speed limits, making safe turns, changing lanes, obeying posted speed limits and many others. Whenever the new Utah seatbelt law was introduced, it was on television and on billboards all around the state. I've even seen this new "Buckle Up" law on the back of city buses, warning drivers that they will be fined if they are caught without their seat belts on. There was even posted a date as to when the law would come into effect. So, why would there be a new law introduced that is not posted the same way as the Buckle Up law? A law that is so important, that a person can be fined $107.00 for breaking this law? This new law is - 41-6a-904. Approaching emergency vehicle -- Necessary signals -- Stationary emergency vehicle -- Duties of respective operators. (2) The operator of a vehicle, upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, shall: (a) Reduce the speed of the vehicle; (b) Provide as much space as practical to the stationary authorized emergency vehicle; and (c) if traveling in a lane adjacent to the stationary authorized emergency vehicle and if practical, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle This law can be found on the website http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE41/htm/41_06a090400.htm This is a vague law to me and everyone that I have discussed it with. Of course, the court system will say that there is no excuse for not knowing a law. I was ticketed for doing what all these cars in this video did, not moving to the next lane while passing the emergency vehicle with it's red and blue lights flashing. I wasn't able to move to the next lane because of traffic congestion. So I slowed and passed. Before I knew it (seconds after I passed), that same Provo police officer was behind me without turning off his emergency lights. He told me what law I had broken and issued me a citation. I asked if he would give me a warning, but he told me he doesn't give warnings for "that" traffic violation. Well, then which traffic violations DOES he give them for? I was unfairly judged by this Provo police officer. I went to traffic court a couple of months later. I feel that I was judged wrongly in this case and my views weren't considered fairly. Judge Romney is a courteous Judge, but I felt like I was part of the court "Assembly Line" and that I lost my case before it ever began.The judge made me pay the $107.00 and I was done. He didn't even seem to know much about the law himself,because he kept looking at his notes that seemed to have the law written on them. Why is it that I get singled out for this citation? Is it because of citation quotas, or was the officer in a bad mood? Was it because I was the only one in the third lane that he saw pass by? Is it because the city of Provo needs more revenue? Take note when you see someone pulled over on the side of the road/highway in Utah, how many people drive by without changing to the adjacent lane. If Utahns really knew about and understood this law, would they take a chance and drive past Police officers and take the chance to get a citation? I'd say that the video is a testament that they DON'T know.
YouTube | October 27, 2008
