SB1299

THE CONTEXT: Statute outlines requirements that a driver must follow when approaching an intersection with a lighted traffic control signal. When vehicular traffic faces a steady red signal, all traffic must stop before entering the intersection and must remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would direct a registered engineer to evaluate an intersection and determine that allowing a right turn on a red signal is unsafe, either at all times or on specific days and times before a right turn on a red signal may be prohibited, require the registered engineer's determination that a right turn on a red signal at an intersection is unsafe to be documented, and make technical and conforming changes.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to turn the Legislature's standard for traffic control into an enforceable rule. It would direct a registered engineer to evaluate an intersection and determine that allowing a right turn on a red signal is unsafe, either at all times or on specific days and times before a right turn on a red signal may be prohibited, and would also require the registered engineer's determination that a right turn on a red signal at an intersection is unsafe to be documented, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.