Bill Text: GA HB1231 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

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Bill Title: Uniform rules of the road; proper execution of a left turn; clarify

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 5-1)

Status: (Passed) 2010-07-01 - Effective Date [HB1231 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-HB1231-Comm_Sub.html

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10 LC 35 1884S

The Senate Public Safety Committee offered the following substitute to HB 1231:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the uniform rules of the road, so as to clarify the proper manner in which to execute a left turn; to modify certain conditions when fleeing or eluding shall be treated as a felony offense; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the uniform rules of the road, is amended by striking in its entirety Code Section 40-6-120, relating to the required position and methods of turning at intersections, and inserting in its place a new Code Section 40-6-120 to read as follows:

"40-6-120.

The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows:

(1) RIGHT TURN. Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway;

(2) LEFT TURN. (A) As used in this paragraph, the term 'extreme left-hand lane' means the lane furthest to the left that is lawfully available to traffic moving in the same direction as the turning vehicle. In the event of multiple lanes, the second extreme left-hand lane shall be the lane to the right of the extreme left-hand lane that is lawfully available to traffic moving in the same direction as the turning vehicle. The third extreme left-hand lane shall be the lane to the right of the second extreme left-hand lane and so forth.

(B) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left shall approach the turn in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of the turning vehicle. Whenever practicable, the left turn shall be made to the left of the center of the intersection and so as to exit the intersection or other location in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the same direction as the turning vehicle on the roadway being entered.

(C) In the event of multiple left turn lanes, the driver of a vehicle turning left shall exit the intersection in the same relative travel lane as the vehicle entered the intersection. If the vehicle is in the second extreme left-hand lane entering the intersection the vehicle shall exit the intersection in the second extreme left-hand lane. Where there are multiple lanes of travel in the same direction safe for travel, a vehicle shall not be permitted to make a lane change once the intersection has been entered."

SECTION 2.

Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-6-395, relating to fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and impersonating a law enforcement officer, by revising subparagraph (b)(5)(A) as follows:

"(5)(A) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section who, while fleeing or attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle or police officer in an attempt to escape arrest for any offense, other than a violation of this chapter, not expressly provided for in this paragraph:

(i) operates Operates his or her vehicle in excess of 30 20 miles an hour above the posted speed limit,;

(ii) strikes Strikes or collides with another vehicle or a pedestrian,;

(iii) flees Flees in traffic conditions which place the general public at risk of receiving serious injuries,;

(iv) Commits a violation of paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of Code Section 40-6-391; or

(v) leaves Leaves the state

shall be guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of $5,000.00 or imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five years or both."

SECTION 3.

This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2010, and be applicable to all offenses committed on or after that date.

SECTION 4.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.