Utah drivers often ignore basic rules of the road, such as not staying to the right or impeding the normal flow of traffic.
Utah’s traffic code is designed to help keep all travelers safe on the state’s roadways. Yet, many drivers continue to recklessly disobey traffic laws. These motorists put everyone at risk.
Below, you’ll find seven of the most commonly ignored rules of the road. In this article, we discuss the details of these laws and how you can stay compliant with the traffic code.
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1. Utah Slower Traffic Keep Right Law: The “Move Over” Rule
Utah requires slower traffic to keep to the right. If you’re moving slower than the normal pace of traffic, you must use the right lane or hug the right curb. The law says you need to move over unless you’re passing another car or preparing to make a left turn or exit.
A person operating a vehicle on a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic shall operate the vehicle in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction; preparing to turn left; or taking a different highway or an exit on the left.
2. Utah Flow of Traffic Law: The “Minimum Speed” Rule
Though there is no statewide minimum speed on Utah highways, you can still get a ticket for moving too slowly. You must maintain a posted minimum speed unless you need to drive slower for safety or to comply with the law.
If there is no posted minimum, blocking or impeding traffic by moving too slowly is also illegal. Additionally, if you are in the left lane and a faster driver is overtaking you from behind, you must move to the right and allow the other driver to get by.
A person may not operate a motor vehicle at a speed so slow as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when a reduced speed is necessary for safe operation; upon a grade; or in compliance with a traffic-control device.
If a highway authority determines that slow speeds on any part of a highway consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the highway authority may post a minimum speed limit. If a minimum speed limit is posted, a person may not operate a vehicle at a speed below the posted minimum speed limit except when necessary for safe operation.
On a highway having more than one lane in the same direction, the operator of a vehicle traveling in the left general purpose lane shall, upon being overtaken by another vehicle in the same lane, yield to the overtaking vehicle by moving safely to a lane to the right and may not impede the movement or free flow of traffic in the left general purpose lane.
3. Utah Driving in Left Lane Law: The “Passing on the Left” Rule
The Utah code requires drivers to pass on the left, leave a safe distance, and not move back to the right until wholly clear of the other vehicle. In return, the driver being passed must give way and not speed up while being overtaken.
If you need to cross the center line when passing, you must ensure the lanes are free of oncoming traffic. Utah law instructs you to complete any pass to the left of center before coming within 200 feet of a vehicle headed in the opposite direction.
The operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle shall promptly pass the overtaken vehicle on the left at a safe distance and enter a right-hand lane or the right side of the roadway only when safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
The operator of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle and may not increase the speed of the vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
On a two-way highway, a person may not operate a vehicle to the left side of the center of the roadway to pass another vehicle unless the left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance to permit the passing movement to be completed without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.
The person operating the overtaking vehicle shall return the vehicle to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practical, and if the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching in the opposite direction, before coming within 200 feet of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.
4. Utah Rear-End Collision Law: The “Following Too Closely” Rule
In Utah, it is illegal to fail to leave a “reasonable and prudent” space between you and the car in front of you. What is considered reasonable will change based on weather, traffic, and speed. No matter what, you must always leave at least a two-second gap.
The operator of a vehicle may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having regard for the speed of the vehicles, traffic upon the highway, and condition of the highway; and shall follow at a distance so that at least two seconds elapse before reaching the location of the vehicle directly in front of the operator’s vehicle.
5. Utah Mobile Phone Driving Law: The “Hands-Free Driving” Rule
The only legal way to use a cell phone while driving in Utah is to operate the phone solely in hands-free mode. Any texting, dialing, reading, or scrolling on your phone is prohibited.
Exceptions exist for emergencies, safety hazards, or when you’re reporting a possible crime.
An individual may not use a wireless communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle on a highway in this state to manually write or send a written communication, dial a phone number, access the internet, record video, take a photograph, enter data into a wireless communication device, read a written communication, or view a video or photograph.
This does not prohibit an individual from using a wireless communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle during a medical emergency, when reporting a safety hazard or requesting assistance relating to a safety hazard, or when reporting criminal activity or requesting assistance relating to a criminal activity.
6. Utah Four-Way Intersection Law: The “4-Way Stop” Rule
At a four-way stop or an intersection with broken traffic lights, Utah grants the right of way to the driver on the right. When two vehicles arrive at nearly the same time, the driver on the left must yield.
Unless otherwise directed by a peace officer, the operator of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right when more than one vehicle enters or approaches an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time and the intersection is not regulated by a traffic-control device, is not regulated because the traffic-control signal is inoperative, or is regulated from all directions by stop signs.
7. Utah Left Turn Intersection Law: The “Right of Way” Rule
Before making a left turn, Utah’s code requires you to ensure no vehicles are approaching from the opposite way close enough to create a safety issue. First, you must yield. Once oncoming traffic has cleared, you can proceed with the turn.
The operator of a vehicle intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is so close to the turning vehicle as to constitute an immediate hazard.
Observing all traffic laws will make you a safer and more courteous motorist. Following the rules of the road can help you prevent accidents and avoid tickets. So, remember these seven often overlooked laws the next time you hit the pavement in Utah.