§ 41-6a-706.5 — Definitions -- Operation of motor vehicle near a vulnerable user of a highway prohibited -- Endangering a vulnerable user of a highway prohibited.

Utah § 41-6a-706.5

• Jurisdiction: Utah
• Title 41: Motor Vehicles
• Ch. 41-6a: Traffic Code
• Part 41-6a-7: Driving on Right Side of Highway and Passing

Text

(1) As used in this section, "vulnerable user of a highway" means:

(1)(a) a pedestrian, including a person engaged in work upon a highway or upon utilities facilities along a highway or providing emergency services within the right-of-way of a highway;
(1)(b) a person riding an animal; or
(1)(c) a person operating any of the following on a highway:
(1)(c)(i) a farm tractor or implement of husbandry, without an enclosed shell;
(1)(c)(ii) a skateboard;
(1)(c)(iii) roller skates;
(1)(c)(iv) in-line skates;
(1)(c)(v) a bicycle;
(1)(c)(vi) an electric-assisted bicycle;
(1)(c)(vii) an electric personal assistive mobility device;
(1)(c)(viii) a moped;
(1)(c)(ix) a motor assisted scooter;
(1)(c)(x) a motor-driven cycle;
(1)(c)(xi) a motorcycle;
(1)(c)(xii) a manual wheelchair; or
(1)(c)(xiii) a golf cart.
(2) An operator of a motor vehicle may not knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly:

(2)(a) operate a motor vehicle within three feet of a vulnerable user of a highway;
(2)(b) distract or attempt to distract a vulnerable user of a highway for the purpose of causing violence or injury to the vulnerable user of a highway;
(2)(c) force or attempt to force a vulnerable user of a highway off of the roadway for a purpose unrelated to public safety; or
(2)(d) cause a motor vehicle to emit an excessive amount of exhaust in a manner that distracts or endangers a vulnerable user of a highway.
(3) (3)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a violation of Subsection (2) is an infraction.
(3)(b) A violation of Subsection (2) that results in bodily injury to the vulnerable user of a highway is a class C misdemeanor.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 84, 2020 General Session