41-6a-303.  Definition of reduced speed school zone — Operation of warning lights — School crossing guard requirements — Responsibility provisions — Rulemaking authority.

(1)  As used in this section “reduced speed school zone” means a designated length of a highway extending from a school zone speed limit sign with warning lights operating to an end school zone sign.

Terms Used In Utah Code 41-6a-303

  • Crosswalk: means :
(a) that part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from:
(i) 
(A) the curbs; or
(B) in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway; and
(ii) in the absence of a sidewalk on one side of the roadway, that part of a roadway included within the extension of the lateral lines of the existing sidewalk at right angles to the centerline; or
(b) any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Department: means the Department of Public Safety. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Highway: means the entire width between property lines of every way or place of any nature when any part of it is open to the use of the public as a matter of right for vehicular travel. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Highway authority: means the same as that term is defined in Section 72-1-102. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Intersection: means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two or more highways that join one another. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Local highway authority: means the legislative, executive, or governing body of a county, municipal, or other local board or body having authority to enact laws relating to traffic under the constitution and laws of the state. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes a state, district, or territory of the United States. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
    • (2)  The Department of Transportation for state highways and local highway authorities for highways under their jurisdiction:

    (a)  shall establish reduced speed school zones at elementary schools after written assurance by a local highway authority that the local highway authority complies with Subsections (3) and (4); and

    (b)  may establish reduced speed school zones for secondary schools at the request of the local highway authority.

    (3)  For all reduced speed school zones on highways, including state highways within the jurisdictional boundaries of a local highway authority, the local highway authority shall:

    (a) 

    (i)  provide shuttle service across highways for school children; or

    (ii)  provide, train, and supervise school crossing guards in accordance with this section;

    (b)  provide for the:

    (i)  operation of reduced speed school zones, including providing power to warning lights and turning on and off the warning lights as required under Subsections (4) and (5); and

    (ii)  maintenance of reduced speed school zones except on state highways as provided in Section 41-6a-302; and

    (c)  notify the Department of Transportation of reduced speed school zones on state highways that are in need of maintenance.

    (4)  While children are going to or leaving school during opening and closing hours all reduced speed school zones shall have:

    (a)  the warning lights operating on each school zone speed limit sign; and

    (b)  a school crossing guard present if the reduced speed school zone is for an elementary school.

    (5)  The warning lights on a school zone speed limit sign may not be operating except as provided under Subsection (4).

    (6) 

    (a)  In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the Department of Transportation shall make rules establishing criteria and specifications for the:

    (i)  establishment, location, and operation of school crosswalks, school zones, and reduced speed school zones;

    (ii)  training, use, and supervision of school crossing guards at elementary schools and secondary schools; and

    (iii)  content and implementation of child access routing plans under Section 53G-4-402.

    (b)  If a school crosswalk is established at a signalized intersection in accordance with the requirements of this section, a local highway authority may reduce the speed limit at the signalized intersection to 20 miles per hour for a highway under its jurisdiction.

    (7)  Each local highway authority shall pay for providing, training, and supervising school crossing guards in accordance with this section.

    (8)  Each local highway authority shall ensure that any training described in this section complies with Title 63G, Chapter 22, State Training and Certification Requirements.

    Amended by Chapter 200, 2018 General Session
    Amended by Chapter 415, 2018 General Session

      Previous section
    Next section  
     Part 3 Contents