GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SECOND EXTRA SESSION 1996

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 67

Short Title:  Left Turn on Red.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Hensley and Howard.
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Referred to:  Rules.
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July 10, 1996

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ALLOW LEFT TURNS ON RED IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 20-158(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Control of Vehicles at Intersections. –
(1)	When a stop sign has been erected or installed at an intersection, it shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to fail to stop in obedience thereto and yield the right-of-way to vehicles operating on the designated main-traveled or through highway. When stop signs have been erected at three or more entrances to an intersection, the driver, after stopping in obedience thereto, may proceed with caution.
(2)	Vehicles facing a red light controlling traffic passing straight through an intersection from a steady or strobe beam stoplight shall not enter the intersection while the steady or strobe beam stoplight is emitting a red light controlling traffic passing straight through an intersection; provided:
a.	Except where prohibited by an appropriate sign, vehicular traffic facing a red light controlling traffic passing straight through an intersection, after coming to a complete stop at the intersection, may enter the intersection to make a right turn but the turning vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and to other traffic using the intersection; or
b.	Except where prohibited by an appropriate sign, vehicular traffic that is (i) in the leftmost lane of travel on a one-way street, (ii) facing a red light, and (iii) at an intersection with another one-way street with traffic travelling from right to left may enter the intersection and make a left turn into the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic but the turning vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and to other traffic using the intersection.
	When the stoplight is emitting a steady yellow circular light on a traffic signal controlling traffic passing straight through an intersection or a steady yellow arrow light on a traffic signal controlling traffic turning at an intersection, vehicles facing the yellow light are warned that the related green light is being terminated or a red light will be immediately forthcoming.  When the stoplight is emitting a steady green light, vehicles may proceed with due care through the intersection subject to the rights of pedestrians and other vehicles as may otherwise be provided by law.
(3)	When a flashing red light has been erected or installed at an intersection, approaching vehicles facing the red light shall stop and yield the right-of-way to vehicles in or approaching the intersection. The right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable to making a stop at a stop sign.
(4)	When a flashing yellow light has been erected or installed at an intersection, approaching vehicles facing the yellow flashing light may proceed through the intersection with caution, without stopping, yielding the right-of-way to vehicles in or approaching the intersection.
(5)	When a stop sign, stoplight, flashing light, or other traffic-control device authorized by subsection (a) of this section requires a vehicle to stop at an intersection, the driver shall stop at (i) an appropriately marked stop line, or if none, (ii) before entering a marked crosswalk, or if none, (iii) before entering the intersection at the point nearest the intersecting street where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting street."
Sec. 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Division of Services for the Blind, Department of Human Resources, the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for the 1996-97 fiscal year for educational programs to assist visually impaired persons to prepare for the implementation of Section 1 of this act.
Sec. 3.  Section 1 of this act becomes effective December 1, 1996.  The remaining sections of this act become effective July 1, 1996.