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)
SECTION 1c.
“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, but may be up to further interpretation by the courts.
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.
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) 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 guide lines 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-way 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.
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 and bicycles which are going straight, regardless of the presence of a crosswalk (as defined in A Bill to make Failure to Yield to Pedestrians Illegal).
SECTION 3b.
Vehicles turning left into oncoming traffic must yield the right-of-way to the oncoming traffic unless indicated by a green arrow pointing left. An amber flashing arrow pointing left indicates the requirement to yield. 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 right 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 to traffic and pedestrians if a yield sign is present (an inverted triangle with a red outline).
SECTION 3d.
At crossings with no stop signs or yield signs, the first vehicle stopping 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.
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.
Section 1C of A Bill to make Failure to Yield to Pedestrians Illegal 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). 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, courts may not sentence those who only committed an offense listed herein.
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 Sponsor:
Representative FightingTheFlames
Trooper thekerbal
Co Sponsors:
Senator Myxtro
Senator T4NJ1M
Senator CannonOblivion
Representative DizzyMW1
Representative DevMartavis