A Bill to Establish More Specific Lane and Yield Regulations
PREAMBLE
To more clearly define lane and yielding regulations,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE STATE OF FIRESTONE CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:
§1 Definitions, etc.
SECTION 1a
Specific lane regulations shall be established in Firestone.
SECTION 1b.
A Bill to Make Improper Turns and Lane Changes Illegal shall be declared null and void. ([A Bill
to Make Improper Turns and Lane Changes
Illegal](https://forums.stateoffirestone.com/t/a-bill-to-make-improper-turns-and-lane-changes-illeg
al/2466))
SECTION 1c.
(a) “Built-up areas” are defined as any area with populational infrastructure, including areas
owned by city or town governments and those which are unincorporated (not owned by
cities). Speed limits in built-up areas are usually at or less than 50 s/s. Hillview,
Redwood, Arborfield, District of Prominence, etc. are all examples of built-up areas.
Restrictions wherein built-up areas begin and end shall be primarily defined by the
appropriate roadside signs and any applicable city or county limits, but may be up to
further interpretation by the courts.
(b) “Lane” or “road lane” shall be defined in A Bill to Recognize Road Lanes
(A Bill to Recognize Road Lanes.pdf - Google Drive)
(c) “Guidelines” shall be defined as any set of lines on the road which assist a driver in
making turns without colliding into traffic. An example is found in this photograph
(highlighted in red): Screenshot by Lightshot
(d) “Larger overall length or size” shall be up to the discretion of the judiciary, but are
generally vehicles which have difficulty making tight turns. Examples include sweepers,
tow trucks, fire engines, ambulances, etc.
(e) “Three-point turn” shall be defined as a u-turn but done in three or more steps rather
than one swift motion. An example can be seen in this photograph:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Three-point_turn.svg/1200p
x-Three-point_turn.svg.png
(f) “Right-of-way” shall be defined as having priority over someone else at an intersection or
other situation on the road. All drivers on the road have the right-of-way unless it must be
yielded (as defined in the law).
(g) “Unpaved road” shall be defined as any road which is made out of gravel, dirt, or other
natural materials opposed to asphalt or concrete roads. Unpaved roads shall also be
defined as any road which intersects with another road, but there is a sunken kerb line
(the extension of the curb across the road) or a solid white line is continued on the
intersecting road. Roads coming from private residences shall also be classed as an
unpaved road.
(h) “T-intersections” shall be defined as an intersection which has one road (through traffic)
intersecting with another road which does not continue (intersecting traffic). The
intersecting traffic must either turn right or left.
(i) “All-way stop sign configurations” shall be defined as an intersection which has stop
signs placed at all roads leading to the intersection. These are also (usually) identified if
a “CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP” sign is absent.
(j) “Protected turns” shall be defined as an indication to a vehicle that their turn need not
require yielding to any other vehicle or pedestrian. This is usually represented on a
stoplight with a green arrow pointing left (for a protected left turn). Protected turns are
not always accurate, therefore drivers must pay attention to other signals which
restrict the protection of the turn (such as a solid green light and a left arrow green light
alight at the same time, which indicates a protected turn against vehicles but not against
pedestrians).
SECTION 1d.
On-duty law enforcement officers, fire department personnel, paramedics, and public
employees of any sanitary or transportation department are exempt from this bill 1) during an
emergency, 2) when the safety of limb or property is at risk, 3) when safely conducting some
type of roadworks operation, or 4) when conducting any other type of activity which may require
such persons to be exempt.
SECTION 1e.
Persons are also exempt from this law during an organized activity or street race when
approved by the Department of Transportation’s administration.
SECTIOn 1f.
Persons and vehicles are also exempt from this law if there are any applicable, authorized,
and/or appropriate signs or road markings which state a different action must be taken other
than those stated in this bill. All legitimate road markings and signs shall take authority over this
bill if they do contradict with one another. The same goes for stop lights and any commands
given by transportation workers or law enforcement officers.
SECTION 1g.
The interpretation of this act will be the responsibility of any appropriate court authority.
§2 Passing, Turning, and Lanes
SECTION 2a.
While outside of built-up areas, no vehicle may pass another vehicle on the right.
SECTION 2b.
While outside of built-up areas, no vehicle may drive on the outer left lane, unless they are
passing another vehicle or ensuring a one-lane separation between a vehicle and an
emergency vehicle. If a roadway consists of three or more lanes, vehicles are permitted to drive
in the middle lane.
SECTION 2c.
Any vehicle with a maximum speed equal to or less than 70 s/s (studs per seconds) are to
remain in the outermost right lane while outside of built-up areas unless they are passing
another vehicle or ensuring a one-lane separation between a vehicle and an emergency vehicle.
SECTION 2d.
Vehicles who are passing another vehicle are prohibited from breaching the speed limit to pass
more quickly.
SECTION 2e.
Vehicles turning from one street into another must remain in the same lane from where they
started the turn. For example, if turning left from the left lane, you must enter the street on the
left lane. The same goes for vehicles turning to the right or vehicles going straight. Exempt are
any vehicles which have a larger overall length or size which restrict them from making tight
turns (DPW sweepers, DOT tow trucks, fire engines, etc.), however, they must still follow
Section 2h. Vehicles do not need to follow this rule if there is an obstacle in the lane which in to
turn (stopped vehicle, etc.).
SECTION 2f.
When on a roadway with a speed limit equal to or greater than 70 s/s, vehicles must indicate
lane changes and turns at least 2 seconds prior to turning. Vehicles must also stay in a lane for
at least 1 seconds before changing lanes again.
SECTION 2g.
Vehicles may not recklessly or dangerously change lanes if other traffic is present or if such
vehicle is illegally passing a lane line (as defined in [A Bill to Recognize Road
Lanes](A Bill to Recognize Road Lanes.pdf - Google Drive
pen)) or otherwise violating traffic laws.
SECTION 2h.
Vehicles may not violate road markings which indicate the permission to turn or go straight. For
example, a vehicle in a straight lane may not turn to the left or right. If markings are not present,
it is illegal to turn when not in a lane closest to that of the direction you wish to turn. Exemptions
listed in Section 2e are permitted to turn right from the second most right lane, but they must
ensure that they will not hinder other traffic or pedestrians.
SECTION 2i.
Vehicles must use turn signals to indicate the direction of turn or switching of lanes at least 1
second before conducting such turn or switching of lanes, this excludes the stricter rules set
forth in Section 2f.
SECTION 2j.
When present, turning vehicles must use guidelines on the road to properly turn and to prevent
collision with other turning vehicles.
SECTION 2k.
Vehicles turning into a new road, however, this may be, must use the closest lane from the
current location of the vehicle. For example, a vehicle turning right onto a two-lane street from a
one lane street must turn onto the outer right lane. The same goes for turning left into a two-lane
street from a one-lane street, where the vehicle must turn onto the outer left lane (except where
plausible in accordance with Section 2e and 2h).
SECTION 2l.
When there are two or more turn lanes, you are permitted to turn into your direct lane. For
example, when turning right in the second outer right turn lane, you are permitted to turn onto
the left lane (or center lane on a three-lane street), as there is no traffic you may endanger (as
these crossings should be fitted with traffic lights). They must, however, order themselves on the
right/center lane if required (as stated in Section 2b).
SECTION 2m.
When conducting a lawful U-turn or three-point turn, the driver of the vehicle must ensure he or
she is not blocking lanes of traffic, and the vehicle is not mandated to turn into the outer left lane
if not able to do so.
SECTION 2n.
Vehicles may not turn into, exit, or enter a road or other area if it is prohibited by road signs or
markings. For example, a vehicle may not enter a parking lot which has a clear “NO ENTRY” or
“WRONG WAY” sign (or a red circle with a horizontal white line in the middle) such as in this
situation: Screenshot by Lightshot. They also may not enter a road with a road marking which
has an arrow pointing towards the driver (and optionally the words “ONLY”) such as in this
situation: Screenshot by Lightshot.
SECTION 2o.
Vehicles must indicate lane changes regardless of the presence of broken white lines. For
example, in the following two images: Screenshot by Lightshot Screenshot by Lightshot Vehicles
must indicate to the right if they wish to enter the straight lane. They do not need to indicate to
the left to enter the left turn lane.
SECTION 2p.
Violating any law set out in Section 2 shall result in a misdemeanor citation for “Violating Lane
Regulations”. The amount shall be up to the discretion of the citing officer, but shall be no less
than 50$ and no more than 300$. If a violation of any law set out in Section 2 causes any
damage to property or persons, the violated shall be punished with any appropriate additional
charges and a citation of no less than 350$ and no more than 550$, or/and be arrested for no
less than 90 seconds and no more than 200 seconds. The amounts and additional charges shall
be up to the discretion of the officer, according to the situation at hand.
§3 Right-of-Way
SECTION 3a.
Vehicles turning right or left must yield the right of way to pedestrians in (or about to enter) a
crosswalk only if the pedestrian(s) have the right-of-way. For example, a vehicle turning left on a
protected turn does not need to yield to pedestrians going straight, as they do not have the right
of way. However, a vehicle turning left with a protected turn and a solid green light or a straight
arrow green light mandates the vehicle to yield to pedestrians, as they also have the right of
way given by the stoplight. Both vehicles in this image (Screenshot by Lightshot) must yield to
pedestrians in the crosswalks (highlighted in red), as they also maintain the right of way given
by the solid green light. The vehicle in this image (Screenshot by Lightshot) does not need to
yield the right-of-way, as he has a protected turn which is not counteracted by a right-of-way
ascertainment to the pedestrians.
SECTION 3b.
Vehicles turning left into oncoming traffic must yield the right-of-way to the oncoming traffic
unless indicated by a protected turn. An amber flashing arrow pointing left indicates the
requirement to yield. An amber flashing circle indicates caution, yet you have the right of way
(unless stated otherwise by a road sign or marking). They may not have the back of their vehicle
past the end of the crosswalk (or where there is no crosswalk present, the end of the stop line or
pavement) until the crossing is clear for the turn (see this image: Screenshot by Lightshot this
is the furthest you can go if opposing traffic is flowing, as also shown by the guidelines on the
road as stated in Section 2j). Vehicles turning left must speedily turn if the traffic light switches
to amber or red, and are exempt from red light laws (as defined in A Bill to Redefine Running a
Red Light) up to
2 seconds after the light turns red, however they must yield the right-of-way to any obstructions.
SECTION 3c.
Vehicles must yield the right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians if a yield sign is present (an
inverted triangle with a red outline). The same goes for stop signs (as defined in A Bill to
Recognize Stop Signs), unless vehicles are at an all-way stop sign configuration (Section 3d). If
a solid white line is across the road/lane that a vehicle is driving on, it shall be treated as a stop
sign (unless a stop light or traffic sign says otherwise). Solid white lines across the lane/road
shall not be confused with lines at the edge of a road.
SECTION 3d.
At crossings with no stop signs or yield signs (or at a crossing with an all-way stop sign
configuration), the first vehicle at the crossing gets the right-of-way. If there is any confusion or if
numerous vehicles have stopped at the same time, vehicles coming from the right get priority
over vehicles from the left. At T-intersections, the through traffic has the right-of-way.
SECTION 3e.
Vehicles entering a paved roadway from an unpaved roadway must yield the right-of-way.
SECTION 3f.
If a traffic light is out of order for any reason, or it is flashing the red aspect, vehicles must yield
to cross traffic and treat the traffic light as a stop sign.
SECTION 3g.
Vehicle crossing or turning into a road with more lanes than the road in which the person is
currently located must yield the right-of-way to vehicles within the road with more lanes.
SECTION 3h.
When two or more lanes merge, vehicles in the lane(s) that are merging must yield the
right-of-way to vehicles in the lane(s) that are not. The same goes for vehicles entering another
lane via an on-ramp (for example, vehicles entering the highway from an on-ramp must yield the
right-of-way to vehicles already on the highway).
SECTION 3g.
Section 1C of [A Bill to make Failure to Yield to Pedestrians
Illegal](https://forums.stateoffirestone.com/t/a-bill-to-make-failure-to-yield-to-pedestrians-illegal/5
080) shall be amended to say “Pedestrians may not walk into a crosswalk when oncoming traffic
holds the right-of-way by a green traffic light unless no cars are present for them to safely cross,
signs ordering turning vehicles to yield to pedestrians only apply for right-on-red operations
(unless otherwise specifically noted) and in accordance with Section 3a of A Bill to Establish
More Specific Lane and Yield Regulations (it is simply a reminder sign). When the traffic light is
red or a car is at a stop sign, pedestrians hold the right-of-way in the crosswalk. If no stop sign
or traffic signal is present around a crosswalk, the Pedestrian still holds the right-of-way.
Pedestrians may not idle or stand in front of cars in the crosswalk or they may be charged with
“Obstruction of Traffic.””
SECTION 3h.
Violating any law set out in Section 3 shall result in a misdemeanor citation for: “Violating
Right-of-Way Laws” The amount shall be up to the discretion of the citing officer, but shall be no
less than 50$ and no more than 250$. If a violation of any law set out in Section 3 causes any
damage to property or persons, the violated shall be punished with any appropriate additional
charges and a citation of no less than 350$ and no more than 500$, or/and be arrested for no
less than 60 seconds and no more than 180 seconds. The amounts and additional charges shall
be up to the discretion of the officer, according to the situation at hand.
§4 Jurisdiction and Effectivity
SECTION 4.
Any and all applicable law enforcement agencies are to enforce this bill. The judiciary shall be
prohibited to punish any person who violates this bill, unless the subject in question has violated
another law which is enforceable by the courts.
SECTION 5.
Upon passage by both chambers of Congress and the signature of the Governor, this document
shall be effective and binding immediately.
Respectfully submitted to the State of Firestone Congress on this day:
Chief Sponsors:
Representative FightingTheFlames
Trooper thekerbal