Chapter 5. Right-of-way
§ 1.
- Vehicles may have to yield the right-of-way and may be given the right-of-way in specific circumstances.
a. Orders and hand gestures given by DOT, DPW, fire/ambulance services, and law enforcement employees shall take priority over all other rules of the road (as plausible of course).
i. Traffic lights and signals shall take priority (unless (a) is valid).
1) Traffic signs shall take priority (unless (a) or (i) is valid).
a) Uncontrolled intersection rules shall take priority (unless (a), (i), or 1) is valid).
§ 2.
- The signage indicated by DOT, DPW, fire/ambulance services, and law enforcement employees indicating ‘STOP’ shall mean that the driver should stop and not continue until another signal is given. The sign indicating ‘SLOW’ shall mean that the driver continues at a pace no greater than 30s/s and that the driver must stay vigilant.
- Should a DOT, DPW, fire/ambulance service, or law enforcement employee be facing or have his/her back to you, you must stop and not continue unless another signal is given. If you see the employee’s shoulders, you can go at an appropriate pace no greater than the speed limit.
- Should a DOT, DPW, fire/ambulance service, or law enforcement employee be directing you through another path that may violate road rules or road line regulations, you must follow their directions. Violating these road lines or rules is not illegal under these circumstances.
- Violating the orders given by DOT, DPW, fire/ambulance service, or law enforcement employees in a traffic situation shall be considered Careless or Reckless Driving and have the appropriate punishments.
- On duty law enforcement and fire/ambulance services with flashing blue and red lights and/or a siren shall have priority over any and all road users. All vehicles must yield to responding emergency vehicles, regardless of the situation. Failure to do so is considered Failure to Yield ($250 citation).
§ 3.
- A solid red traffic signal indicates STOP, do not continue. You are permitted to turn right-on-red (unless unauthorized by signage or road markings) after coming to a complete stop and yielding the right-of-way to any other traffic or pedestrians. Failure to come to a complete stop, failure to yield, or turning right-on-red when unauthorized by signage or a red arrow traffic signal pointing to the right shall count as Running a Red Light and any other applicable charges.
- A solid amber traffic signal indicates CAUTION, stop if possible, red is the next signal to be shown. Passing an amber light is not illegal, it has the same legal effect as a green traffic signal.
- A solid green traffic signal indicates to PROCEED. If turning, yield the right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians which also have a passing signal.
- A red arrow traffic signal indicates STOP to vehicles turning in the direction of the arrow. If the arrow points to the right, you are prohibited from turning right-on-red.
- An amber arrow traffic signal indicates CAUTION, stop if possible, red is the next signal to be shown for that direction of travel. Passing an amber light is not illegal, it has the same legal effect as a green arrow traffic signal.
- A green arrow traffic signal indicates PROCEED for traffic turning in the arrow’s direction. You must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians but not to vehicles.
- A flashing amber arrow traffic signal reminds vehicles to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians when turning.
- A flashing solid amber traffic signal indicates PROCEED AT CAUTION. You are not required to yield the right-of-way unless there is a pedestrian crosswalk with pedestrians.
- A flashing solid red traffic signal indicates STOP, PROCEED AT CAUTION. You are required to come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to other traffic and pedestrians. You can continue when safe to do so. The same applies to a flashing red arrow traffic signal, but rather STOP, PROCEED AT CAUTION for traffic turning in the direction shown by the arrow.
- When a traffic signal is turned off, it shall have the same effect as a flashing solid red traffic signal or stop sign and should be treated as an all-way stop.
- The passing of a flashing red light shall count under the same laws as Running a Stop Sign and Failure to Yield (to Pedestrians).
- A traffic signal is not to be confused with a traffic beacon, but are usually similar and are usually flashing red or yellow lights to warn drivers of a situation/stop sign/intersection.
§ 4.
- A stop sign indicates to make a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to other traffic and pedestrians (unless you’re at an all-way stop).
- A yield sign indicates yield the right-of-way to other traffic and pedestrians.
- An all-way stop is an intersection with stop signs on all intersecting streets. All vehicles must come to a complete stop at the stop line or stop sign. The vehicles arriving at the intersection depart in the order they arrive (first-come first-serve). If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield the right-of-way. If three vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle that isn’t oncoming to another vehicle must yield the right-of-way. If four vehicles arrive at the same time, they are to coordinate with each other to determine who goes first.
§ 5.
- At an intersection without signage, signals, or employees, the first to arrive at the intersection has the right-of-way. In the case of multiple vehicles arriving at the same time, the same rules applying to all-way stops apply.
- Vehicles turning left must always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and so must vehicles turning right.
- A vehicle turning left must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle turning right onto the same street.
- The terminating road at a T-intersection must yield the right-of-way to the through traffic.
- Vehicles must yield the right-of-way to traffic on a road with more lanes.
- Merging vehicles must yield the right-of-way.
- Vehicles coming from a road that isn’t paved with concrete, asphalt, or other stone-like materials must yield the right-of-way (if the road they are entering is paved).
Chapter 6. Pedestrians and their Infractions
§ 1.
- A ‘crosswalk’ is defined in chapter 3 § 3(5).
- ‘Jaywalking’ shall be an illegal infraction in Firestone. Jaywalking shall be defined as: “walking onto the road when you do not have the right-of-way, causing the hindrance of a vehicle or road user”. Jaywalking shall only be a crime if the crossing caused a hindrance to a vehicle or road user, as mentioned before. Those charged with Jaywalking shall receive a $30 citation.
- Even if pedestrians have the right-of-way, they are prohibited from entering the street if a vehicle (following traffic laws) is so close by that it would be unable to brake in time. This would be considered Jaywalking.
- Vehicles turning right or left must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians if there is a crosswalk, regardless of the presence of a green traffic light.
- Pedestrians that are in or about to enter a crosswalk shall have the right-of-way unless:
a. There is a red traffic light for the pedestrian crosswalk in question.
b. There is a green traffic light for vehicles approaching the crosswalk (shortly before the crosswalk). (note: A flashing yellow light on a traffic light does not give drivers the right-of-way at crosswalks, and they must yield to pedestrians within or about to enter the crosswalk(s)).
§ 2.
- ‘Obstruction of Traffic’ shall be an illegal infraction in Firestone. This infraction shall be defined as: “the act of obstructing traffic from moving as a pedestrian or as a bicycle unless the pedestrian or bicycle has the right-of-way or is required to stop due to a traffic situation”. Those charged with Obstruction of Traffic shall receive a $120 citation and a $240 citation on roads with a speed limit of at or above 60s/s. ‘Traffic situation’ is defined as avoiding a collision or waiting for the right-of-way in an area designated for waiting (e.g on the sidewalk or (as a bicycle) on the rightmost side of the road).
- ‘Covering of Signage’ shall be an illegal infraction in Firestone. This infraction shall be defined as: “blocking or obstructing the view of a legal traffic sign through malicious or negligent means of blocking, including, but not limited to using: protest signs, graffiti, paint, tape, own body, etc.”. Those charged with Covering of Signage shall receive a $300 citation for the first offense and 60 seconds in jail for the second offense and above.
- ‘Scaling of a Sign or Signal’ shall be an illegal infraction in Firestone. This infraction shall be defined as: “scaling any legal traffic sign or signal or to be atop these signs or signals unless an emergent situation arises”. Those charged with this infraction shall receive a $200 to $300 citation for the first offense and 150 seconds in jail for the second offense and above.
§ 3.
- Bicycles shall be considered non-motor vehicles but must follow rules set within this section.
- Bicycles must remain on the outer right-hand side of the road at all times unless they are making a left turn or legal u-turn.
- Bicycles must follow all road laws for regular vehicles unless the road law is specific towards vehicles or is unable to be safely abided by bicycles.
- Bicycles are exempt from Running a Red Light law but must yield the right-of-way if they have a red light and in any other relevant situations.
- Bicycles may not ride on the sidewalk unless the bicycle is riding thereon to find a parking spot.
- Bicycles cannot enter highways or roads with a speed limit at or greater than 70s/s unless authorized by road signs or road markings (or an extra bicycle lane).
- Violation of this section may result in a $30 citation for ‘Violating Bicycle Regulations’ or/and any other applicable charges.
Chapter 7. Signage and Road Markings
§ 1.
- ‘Road markings’ shall be defined as any markings painted or put on the road.
- ‘Signage’ or ‘road signs’ shall be defined as any legally placed sign that is related to vehicles or bicycles.
- ‘Legally placed’ shall be up to the discretion of law enforcement and ultimately the courts, but are mainly signs placed by the Firestone Development Team.
§ 2.
- Road markings and signs shall have legal relevance and be enforceable under law. ‘Violation of Signage or Road Markings’ shall be an illegal traffic infraction and be defined as: “violating any road sign or road marking that is legally placed”. Those charged with Violation of Signage or Road Markings shall receive a citation between $50 and $250 depending on the severity of the infraction unless there is already a charge relevant to the sign or road marking (for example: officers cannot cite a person for this infraction if they run a stop sign even if they violated the stop sign, because there is a specific stop sign law already).
- Road markings and signs shall be based on the USA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, any ambiguities should be cleared up in this manual.
- Signs include regulatory (gives instructions to traffic), warning (gives warnings to traffic), and guide (gives information to traffic) signs. Signs may give orders to traffic, which must be followed. Signs may prohibit certain actions, which must be followed. And so on.
- Road markings on the road surface should be fairly obvious and mark parking spaces and may include text or/and numbers for informational purposes. These road markings are legally binding and must be followed by traffic.
§ 3.
- Main examples of traffic signs not already listed before are:
a. Square shaped signs with a red circle and slash, prohibiting an action.
b. Square or rectangular shaped signs with different layouts and the word ‘ONLY’, mandating a certain action.
c. White rectangular signs with (usually) red text, prohibiting or organizing parking.
d. Other rectangular white signs which may provide instructions or reminders.
e. Diamond yellow signs indicating a warning or hazard.
f. Large rectangular green signs indicating travel routes on highways.
g. And so on. Other signs are usually obvious and use words or pictograms to give a clear insight into what drivers should/should not do.
Chapter 8. Exceptions
§ 1.
- On-duty law enforcement and fire/ambulance services shall be exempt from this Act if they are responding to an emergency (with due regard to other traffic) but must still follow traffic laws while not responding to an emergency.
- DOT and DPW workers shall be exempt from this act if they are doing street maintenance or other road closures.
- Vehicles shall be exempt from this Act when they are avoiding a threat of serious injury or death from a person committing a criminal act, but shall immediately return to these regulations as soon as safely possible.
- Vehicles shall be exempt from this act if they are in an authorized street race (granted by the Department of Transportation) as per appropriate legislation.
- Any other persons shall be exempt from this if the court or (initially) law enforcement officers find that due cause was taken to avoid the breaking of traffic laws or that they acted in exigent circumstances.
- Should a vehicle make a minor infraction prohibited in this Act (excluding all infractions listed in chapter 1) which is so minor it wouldn’t have caused any serious issue to other road users or orderly traffic, it shall be up to law enforcement’s discretion whether to penalize or not to. Refusing to penalize shall not count as undercharging.
Chapter 9. Nullifications
§ 1.
- The following pieces of legislation shall be deemed null and void.
- A Bill to Establish Road Laws
- A Bill to Establish Bike Regulations (if not already automatically nullified)
- A Bill to Establish More Road Laws
- A Bill to Update the Established Road Laws
- A Bill to Recognize Road Lanes
- A Bill to Amend “A Bill to Establish Road Laws (Revised)”
- A Bill to Make Parking on the Median Illegal
- A Bill to Define Parking on a Crosswalk
- A Bill to Parking at an Unmarked Sidewalk
- A Bill to Define Illegally Parking on a Sidewalk
- A Bill to Recognize Parking Space Boundaries
- Bill to Recognize the Act of Driving Backwards
- A Bill to Recognize the Act of Driving Without Headlights
- A Bill to Make Dangerous Driving Harsher
- A Bill to Amend “A Bill to Recognize the Act of Driving Without Headlights”
- An Act to Prevent the Unlawful Covering Up of Signs Resulting in Accidents Whilst Driving
- A Bill to Recognize Stop Signs
- A Bill to Forbid Distracted Operation
- A Bill to Recognize Drift Burnouts
- A Bill to Define Failure to Move Over/Slow Down for Fire/EMS Personnel
- A Bill to Establish the Move Over Law
- A Bill to Mandate Hazard Lights
- A Bill to Establish Crosswalks and Jaywalking
- Public Works Crosswalk Act
- A Bill to Amend A Bill to Establish Crosswalks and Jaywalking
- A Bill to Make Failure to Yield to Pedestrians Illegal
- Motorized Hindering Act
- A Bill to Use Handicap Spaces
- A Bill to Amend A Bill to Use Handicap Spaces
- A Bill to Make Improper Turns and Lane Changes Illegal
- A Bill to Define Obstruction of Traffic
- Traffic Control Act
- A Bill to Make Standing On Top of Traffic Lights or Light Poles Illegal
- An Act to Prevent Citizenry from Hurting Themselves and Disrupting Traffic by the Use of the Traffic Lights and Light Poles
- A Bill to Fix Speeding Regulations
- A Bill to Amend a Bill to Fix Speeding Regulations
- A Bill to Make Failure to Yield Illegal
- A Bill to Regulate U-Turns
- A Bill to Establish Work Zones
- A Bill to Back Law Enforcement & The Fire Department
- An Act to Define LEO’s Towing Powers
- A Bill to Recognize DOT Towing Rights
- Street Sweeper Act
- A Bill to Redefine Running a Red Light
- A Bill to Make Residential Neighborhood Safer
§ 2.
- Section 6 of Motorcycles and Bicycles Law shall be null and void.
Chapter 10. Conclusionary Information
§ 1.
- This Act shall be enforced by any and all law enforcement agencies of Firestone and the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Works.
- The Department of Justice cannot prosecute any offense listed in this Act (unless the offense is a reference of an offense defined elsewhere). Persons cannot sue for charges listed herein in civil litigation, unless the court finds good reasoning to. The courts cannot sentence any person for these traffic offenses nor add 100 seconds for the presence of a danger zone. The courts are permitted to use any reference listed in
- Should a part of this Act be deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court or be nullified by legislation, the rest of the Act shall stay intact.
- This Act shall go into effect upon passage.
Part 1: Traffic Act Part 1
Chief Sponsors:
thekerbal
Representative, AsianImpression
Senator, M.Lafayette
Co-Sponsors:
Representative, UhYouFoundZack
Representative, Tor_Laws
Attorney General, Jefrafra
Governor, CanineEnforcement
Senator, T4NJ1M