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SB-493 Vehicles: right-turn violations.(2017-2018)



Current Version: 02/16/17 - Introduced

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SB493:v99#DOCUMENT


CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 493

Introduced by Senator Hill
(Coauthor: Senator Allen)

February 16, 2017

An act to amend Sections 21453, 21971, and 42001.15 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 493, as introduced, Hill. Vehicles: right-turn violations.
Existing law requires a driver facing a steady circular red signal alone to stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and to remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown, except as specified. A violation of this provision is an infraction punishable by a fine of $100.
This bill would recast those provisions, and instead would make a violation of that requirement for a right turn, or a left turn from a one-way street onto a one-way street, punishable by a fine of $35. The bill would make additional conforming changes. The bill would also make a statement of legislative findings and declarations.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) It is imperative that drivers always look for and yield to pedestrians.
(b) Pedestrian safety is very important.
(c) This measure does not legalize rolling right hand turns; it simply reduces the fine for this illegal driving maneuver.

SEC. 2.

 Section 21453 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:

21453.
 (a) A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped not proceed straight through the intersection, or turn in a manner prohibited by a sign, or turn left, except from a one-way street onto a one-way street, until an indication to proceed is shown, except as provided in subdivision (b). shown.

(b) Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, a driver, after stopping as required by subdivision (a), facing a steady circular red signal, may turn right, or turn left from a one-way street onto a one-way street. A driver making that turn shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to any vehicle that has approached or is approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard to the driver, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to that vehicle until the driver can proceed with reasonable safety.

(b) A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, before entering the intersection, prior to turning right, or turning left from a one-way street onto a one-way street.
(c) A driver facing a steady red arrow signal shall not enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the arrow and, unless entering the intersection to make a movement permitted by another signal, shall stop at a clearly marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication permitting movement is shown.
(d) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in Section 21456, a pedestrian facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal shall not enter the roadway.
(e) A driver making a turn pursuant to subdivision (b) shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to any vehicle that has approached or is approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard to the driver, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to that vehicle until the driver can proceed with reasonable safety.

SEC. 3.

 Section 21971 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:

21971.
 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person who violates subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 21451, subdivision (b) or (e) of Section 21453, subdivision (a) of Section 21950, or Section 21952, and causes the bodily injury of anyone other than the driver is guilty of an infraction punishable under Section 42001.18.

SEC. 4.

 Section 42001.15 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:

42001.15.
 (a) Every person convicted of an infraction for a violation of subdivision (a) or (c) of Section 21453, subdivision (c) of Section 21454, or subdivision (a) of Section 21457 shall be punished by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100).
(b) Every person convicted of an infraction for a violation of subdivision (b) or (e) of Section 21453 shall be punished by a fine of thirty-five dollars ($35).