Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Some of the Laws That Change

32-26-15: The driver of a vehicle upon a highway shall yield the right-of-way to police and fire department vehicles and ambulances if they are operated upon official business and the drivers give an audible signal by bell, siren, or exhaust whistle. The provisions of this section do not relieve the driver of a police, fire department vehicle, or ambulance from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway nor does it protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequence of an arbitrary exercise of such right-of-way.
Well this is interesting. Not only will I no longer have to get out of the way of approaching emergency vehicles, they can’t run over me. Unlike laws for operators of ordinary vehicles, THEY have to look out for MY safety! Someone should alert the sheriff!
32-26-3: Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right, each giving to the other at least one-half of the main-traveled portion of the roadway as nearly as possible.
You’re on a group ride. Sally’s driving and dialing, drifts from her lane and takes out your riding buddy. Don’t use this law in court, you’re not a vehicle.
32-26-13: When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right. The driver of any vehicle traveling at an unlawful speed shall forfeit any right-of-way which he might otherwise have hereunder.
You’re on the Tour deKota. Steve’s checking out his new Honda at 100mph, comes over a hill and takes out your front wheel with the left side of his car. Don’t use this in court, not only did you not have right-of-way, it doesn’t matter to your case that he was going 100 either.
32-26-14: The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a public highway from an alley, building, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on such public highway.
Get run over by Linda as she’s leaving the brand new Wal-Mart on the edge of town? She pulled out of the driveway without looking because she was fighting with her kids over the toy they just got. Sorry, there is no legal expectation that she bother to notice that you were there.
32-26-19: The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard. The driver after having so yielded and having given a signal when and as required by this chapter, may make such left turn.
You get the picture. Here are some others. Please make up your own narratives.
32-26-26: The driver of any vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a safe distance to the left thereof. The driver of an overtaking vehicle shall pass at a safe distance to the side of an overtaken vehicle and may not cut in front of the latter until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
32-26-34: No driver of a vehicle may drive to the left side of the center line of a highway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be made in safety.
32-26-40: The driver of a motor vehicle may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and condition of the highway.

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