Chapter 5 - Regulation Of Traffic On Highways
CHAPTER 5 - REGULATION OF TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAYS
ARTICLE 1 - IN GENERAL
31-5-101. Short title.
Thisact may be cited as the "Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways".
31-5-102. Definitions.
(a) Except as otherwise provided, as used in this act:
(i) Repealed by Laws 2002, Ch. 68, 2.
(ii) "Authorized emergency vehicles" means:
(A) Vehicles of fire departments, fire patrols, game and fishlaw enforcement personnel, livestock board law enforcement personnel, brandinspectors, law enforcement agencies, public and private ambulances, medicalrescue units and extrication rescue units;
(B) Privately-owned vehicles used by members of a firedepartment or emergency service organization while performing or traveling toperform assigned fire fighting or emergency service duties are authorizedemergency vehicles if:
(I) Authorized in writing by the appropriate governing body ofthe city, town or county in which the emergency services organization islocated;
(II) Equipped with at least one (1) flashing red, white or amberlight visible from the front of the vehicle; and
(III) Equipped with a marker on the front of the vehicleindicating the department or organization with which affiliated.
(iii) "Bicycle" means every vehicle propelled solely byhuman power upon which any person may ride, having two (2) tandem wheels exceptscooters and similar devices;
(iv) "Bus" means every motor vehicle designed forcarrying more than ten (10) passengers and used for the transportation ofpersons and every motor vehicle, other than a taxicab, designed and used forthe transportation of persons for compensation;
(v) "Business district" means the territorycontiguous to and including a highway when within any six hundred (600) feetalong the highway where there are buildings in use for business or industrialpurposes, including but not limited to hotels, banks or office buildings,railroad stations and public buildings, which buildings occupy at least threehundred (300) feet of frontage on one (1) side or three hundred (300) feetcollectively on both sides of the highway;
(vi) "Commission" means the Wyoming transportationcommission;
(vii) "Controlled-access highway" means every highway,street or roadway in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting lands andother persons have no legal right of access to or from the same except at suchpoints only and in such manner as may be determined by the public authorityhaving jurisdiction over the highway, street or roadway;
(viii) "Crosswalk" means:
(A) That part of a roadway at an intersection included withinthe connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of thehighway measured from the curbs or, in the absence of curbs, from the edges ofthe traversable roadway, and in the absence of a sidewalk on one (1) side ofthe roadway, that part of a roadway included within the extension of the laterallines of the existing sidewalk at right angles to the centerline;
(B) Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewheredistinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on thesurface.
(ix) "Department" or "highway department"means the department of transportation of the state of Wyoming;
(x) "Driver" means every person who drives or is inactual physical control of a vehicle;
(xi) "Explosives" means any chemical compounds,mixtures or devices, the primary or common purpose of which is to function byexplosion, e.g., with substantially instantaneous release of gas and heat,unless the compounds, mixtures or devices are otherwise specificallyclassified. Explosives are classified as follows, commensurate with the degreeof hazard:
(A) Class A -- detonating, or otherwise of maximum hazard, e.g.black powder;
(B) Class B -- rapid combustion rather than detonation, e.g.igniter;
(C) Class C -- minimum hazard, e.g. fireworks.
(xii) "Farm tractor" means every motor vehicle designedand used exclusively as a farm implement for drawing implements of husbandry;
(xiii) "Flammable liquid" means any liquid which has aflash point below one hundred degrees Fahrenheit (100 F) and has a vapor pressure not exceeding forty (40)pounds per square inch (absolute) at one hundred degrees Fahrenheit (100 F);
(xiv) "Repealed by Laws 1991, ch. 241, 4.
(xv) "House trailer" means:
(A) A trailer or semitrailer which is designed, constructed andequipped as a dwelling place, living abode or sleeping place (eitherpermanently or temporarily) and is equipped for use as a conveyance on streetsand highways; or
(B) A trailer or a semitrailer whose chassis and exterior shellis designed and constructed for use as a house trailer, as defined insubparagraph (A) of this paragraph, but which is used instead permanently ortemporarily for advertising, sales display or promotion of merchandise orservices, or for any other commercial purpose except the transportation ofproperty for hire or the transportation of property for distribution by aprivate carrier.
(xvi) "Implement of husbandry" means a vehicle designedand used exclusively for agricultural operations and only incidentally operatedor moved upon a highway;
(xvii) "Intersection" means:
(A) The area embraced within the prolongation or connection ofthe lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of theroadways of two (2) highways which join one another at, or approximately at,right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon differenthighways joining at any other angle may come in conflict;
(B) Where a highway includes two (2) roadways thirty (30) feetor more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of such divided highway byan intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection. In theevent such intersecting highway also includes two (2) roadways thirty (30) feetor more apart, then every crossing of two (2) roadways of such highway shall beregarded as a separate intersection;
(C) The junction of an alley with a street or highway does notconstitute an intersection.
(xviii) "Laned roadway" means a roadway which is dividedinto two (2) or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic;
(xix) "Local authorities" means every county, municipaland other local board or body having authority to enact laws relating totraffic under the constitution and laws of this state;
(xx) "Metal tire" means every tire the surface ofwhich in contact with the highway is wholly or partly of metal or other hardnonresilient material;
(xxi) "Moped" means a motor-driven cycle both with footpedals to permit muscular propulsion by human power and with a motor whichproduces no more than two (2) brake horsepower and which is capable ofpropelling the vehicle at a maximum speed of no more than thirty (30) miles perhour on a level road surface. If an internal combustion engine is used, thedisplacement shall not exceed more than fifty (50) cubic centimeters and themoped shall have a power drive system that functions directly or automaticallywithout clutching or shifting by the driver after the drive system is engaged;
(xxii) "Motorcycle" means any motor vehicle having aseat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more thanthree (3) wheels in contact with the ground, excluding off-road recreationvehicles as defined in W.S. 31-1-101(a)(xv)(K), but including a motor vehicledesigned as a recreational vehicle primarily for off-road use to be riddenastride and to travel on four (4) wheels;
(xxiii) "Motor-driven cycle" means any motorcycle,including motor scooters and motorized bicycles having an engine with less thanone hundred fifty (150) cubic centimeters displacement or with five (5) brakehorsepower or less but does not include motorized skateboards;
(xxiv) "Motor vehicle" means every vehicle which isself-propelled except vehicles moved solely by human power and motorizedskateboards as defined by paragraph (a)(lxii) of this section;
(xxv) "Official traffic-control devices" means allsigns, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this act placed orerected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for thepurpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic;
(xxvi) "Owner" means a person who holds the legal titleof a vehicle or if a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditionalsale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance of theconditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possessionvested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or if a mortgagor of a vehicle isentitled to possession, then the conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagorshall be deemed the owner for the purpose of this act;
(xxvii) "Park" when prohibited, means the standing of avehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose ofand while actually engaged in loading or unloading;
(xxviii) "Pedestrian" means any person afoot;
(xxix) "Pedestrian vehicle" means any self-propelledconveyance designed, manufactured and intended for the exclusive use of personswith a physical disability, but in no case shall the vehicle:
(A) Exceed forty-eight (48) inches in width.
(B) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 155, 2.
(C) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 155, 2.
(xxx) "Physical disability" means any bodily impairmentwhich precludes a person from walking or otherwise moving about easily as apedestrian;
(xxxi) "Pneumatic tire" means every tire in whichcompressed air is designed to support the load;
(xxxii) "Pole trailer" means every vehicle without motivepower designed to be drawn by another vehicle and attached to the towingvehicle by means of a reach, or pole, or by being boomed or otherwise securedto the towing vehicle, and ordinarily used for transporting long or irregularlyshaped loads as poles, pipes or structural members capable, generally, ofsustaining themselves as beams between the supporting connections;
(xxxiii) "Police officer" means every officer authorizedto direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of trafficregulations;
(xxxiv) "Private road or driveway" means every way orplace in private ownership and used for vehicular travel by the owner and thosehaving express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons;
(xxxv) "Railroad" means a carrier of persons or propertyupon cars, other than streetcars, operated upon stationary rails;
(xxxvi) "Railroad sign or signal" means any sign, signalor device erected by authority of a public body or official or by a railroadand intended to give notice of the presence of railroad tracks or the approachof a railroad train;
(xxxvii) "Railroad train" means a steam engine, electricor other motor, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails,except streetcars;
(xxxviii) "Residence district" means the territorycontiguous to and including a highway not comprising a business district whenthe property on the highway for a distance of three hundred (300) feet or moreis in the main improved with residences or residences and buildings in use forbusiness;
(xxxix) "Right-of-way" means the right of one (1) vehicleor pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle orpedestrian approaching under such circumstances of direction, speed andproximity as to give rise to danger of collision unless one grants precedenceto the other;
(xl) "Roadway" means that portion of a highwayimproved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of thesidewalk, berm or shoulder. In the event a highway includes two (2) or moreseparate roadways the term "roadway" as used herein shall refer toany such roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively;
(xli) "Safety zone" means the area or space officiallyset apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which isprotected or is so marked or indicated by adequate signs as to be plainlyvisible at all times while set apart as a safety zone;
(xlii) "School bus" means every motor vehicle thatcomplies with the color and identification requirements set forth in the mostrecent edition of "Minimum Standards for School Buses" and is used totransport children to or from school, but not including buses operated bycommon carriers in urban transportation of school children;
(xliii) "Semitrailer" means every vehicle with or withoutmotive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons orproperty and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that somepart of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by anothervehicle;
(xliv) "Sidewalk" means that portion of a street betweencurb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines,intended for use of pedestrians;
(xlv) "Snowmobile" means any mechanically drivenvehicle of a type which utilizes sleet type runners, or skis or any endlessbelt tread or combination of these, designed primarily for operation over snow;
(xlvi) "Solid tire" means every tire of rubber or otherresilient material which does not depend upon compressed air for the support ofthe load;
(xlvii) "Stop" when required means complete cessationfrom movement;
(xlviii) "Stop, stopping or standing" when prohibitedmeans any stopping or standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, exceptwhen necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with thedirections of a police officer or traffic-control sign or signal;
(xlix) "Street or highway" means the entire widthbetween the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained or if not publiclymaintained, dedicated to public use when any part thereof is open to the use ofthe public for purposes of vehicular travel;
(l) "Superintendent" means the director of thedepartment of transportation;
(li) "Through highway" means every highway or portionthereof on which vehicular traffic is given preferential right-of-way, and atthe entrances to which vehicular traffic from intersecting highways is requiredby law to yield the right-of-way to vehicles on the through highway inobedience to a stop sign, yield sign or other official traffic control devices,when the signs or devices are erected as provided in this act;
(lii) "Traffic" means pedestrians, ridden or herdedanimals, vehicles and other conveyances either singly or together while usingany highway for purposes of travel;
(liii) "Traffic-control signal" means any device,whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic isalternately directed to stop and permitted to proceed;
(liv) "Trailer" means every vehicle with or withoutmotive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons orproperty and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that no partof its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle;
(lv) "Truck" means every motor vehicle designed, usedor maintained primarily for the transportation of property;
(lvi) "Truck tractor" means every motor vehicledesigned and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructedas to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load sodrawn;
(lvii) "Urban district" means the territory contiguousto and including any public street or highway which is built up with structuresdevoted to business, industry or dwelling houses situated at intervals of lessthan one hundred (100) feet for a distance of a quarter of a mile or more;
(lviii) "Vehicle" means every device, in, upon, or bywhich any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway,except devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks;
(lix) "This act" means W.S. 31-5-101 through 31-5-1601;
(lx) "Emergency services" means fire fighting, firstaid, medical services, rescue, transportation and other related activitiesnecessary to ensure the health or safety of a person or property in imminentperil;
(lxi) "Golf cart" means a motor vehicle which:
(A) Has not less than three (3) wheels in contact with theground;
(B) Has an unladen weight of less than one thousand threehundred (1,300) pounds;
(C) Is designed to be or is operated at not more than fifteen(15) miles per hour;
(D) Is designed to carry golf equipment and not more than four(4) persons including the driver; and
(E) Is being used to transport an occupant directly to, or fromor on a golf course, or is being used for special events or circumstancesauthorized by the city, town or county.
(lxii) "Motorized skateboard" means a self-propelleddevice which has a motor or engine, a deck on which a person may ride and atleast two (2) wheels in contact with the ground and which is not otherwisedefined in this act as a "motor vehicle", "motorcycle","motor-driven cycle" or "pedestrian vehicle";
(lxiii) "Multipurpose vehicle" means as defined in W.S.31-1-101(a)(xv)(M).
31-5-103. Applicability of provisions to vehicles being operated uponhighways.
(a) The provisions of this act relating to the operation ofvehicles refer exclusively to the operation of vehicles upon highways except:
(i) Where a different place is specifically referred to in agiven section;
(ii) The provisions of W.S. 31-5-225, 31-5-229, 31-5-233 and31-5-1101 through 31-5-1112 apply upon highways and elsewhere throughout thestate.
31-5-104. Obedience to authorized persons directing traffic.
Noperson shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order ordirection of any police officer, authorized flagman, or fireman with authorityto direct, control or regulate traffic.
31-5-105. Applicability of provisions to drivers of public vehicles.
(a) The provisions of this act applicable to the drivers ofvehicles upon the highways shall apply to the drivers of all vehicles owned andoperated by the United States, this state, or any county, city, town, specialdistrict or any other political subdivision of the state, except as provided inthis section and subject to such specific exceptions as are set forth in thisact with reference to authorized emergency vehicles.
(b) Unless specifically made applicable, the provisions of thisact except those contained in W.S. 31-5-225, 31-5-229, 31-5-233 and 31-5-236 donot apply to persons, motor vehicles and equipment while actually engaged inwork upon a highway but shall apply to the persons and vehicles when travelingto or from work.
31-5-106. Authorized emergency vehicles.
(a) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, whenresponding to an emergency call or when in pursuit of an actual or suspectedviolator of the law or when responding to but not upon returning from a firealarm, may:
(i) Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this act;
(ii) Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but onlyafter slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;
(iii) Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he does notendanger life or property;
(iv) Disregard regulations governing direction of movement orturning in specified directions.
(b) This section does not relieve the driver of an authorizedemergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of allpersons, nor shall this section protect the driver from the consequences of hisreckless disregard for the safety of others.
31-5-107. Persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles.
Everyperson riding an animal or driving any animal-drawn vehicle upon a roadway isgranted all the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to thedriver of a vehicle by this act except those provisions of this act which bytheir very nature can have no application.
31-5-108. Local regulations.
Theprovisions of this act shall be applicable and uniform throughout this stateand in all political subdivisions and municipalities therein. Local authoritiesmay, however, adopt by ordinance, traffic regulations for all streets withintheir city limits and highways under their corporate jurisdiction and shallhave the express authority to enforce the traffic regulations so adopted, byaction in their respective local municipal courts.
31-5-109. General powers of local authorities.
(a) This act does not prevent local authorities with respect tostreets and highways under their jurisdiction and within the reasonableexercise of the police power from:
(i) Regulating or prohibiting stopping, standing or parking;
(ii) Regulating traffic by means of police officers, authorizedflagmen or official traffic-control signals;
(iii) Regulating or prohibiting processions or assemblages on thehighways;
(iv) Designating particular highways or roadways for use bytraffic moving in one (1) direction as authorized by W.S. 31-5-208;
(v) Repealed By Laws 2002, Ch. 68, 2.
(vi) Designating any highway as a through highway or designatingany intersection or junction of roadways as a stop or yield intersection orjunction;
(vii) Regulating the operation of bicycles and requiring theregistration and licensing of bicycles, including the requirement of a registrationfee;
(viii) Regulating or prohibiting the turning of vehicles orspecified types of vehicles;
(ix) Altering or establishing speed limits as authorized by thisact;
(x) Requiring written accident reports as authorized by W.S.31-5-1106;
(xi) Designating no-passing zones as authorized in W.S.31-5-207;
(xii) Prohibiting or regulating the use of controlled-accessroadways by any class or kind of traffic as authorized in W.S. 31-5-213;
(xiii) Prohibiting or regulating the use of heavily traveledstreets by any class or kind of traffic found to be incompatible with thenormal and safe movement of traffic;
(xiv) Establishing minimum speed limits as authorized by W.S.31-5-304(b);
(xv) Designating and regulating traffic on play streets;
(xvi) Regulating persons propelling push carts;
(xvii) Regulating persons upon skates, coasters, sleds, motorizedskateboards and other toy vehicles;
(xviii) Adopting and enforcing such temporary or experimentalregulations as may be necessary to cover emergencies or special conditions;
(xix) Prohibiting drivers of ambulances from exceeding maximumspeed limits;
(xx) Adopting such other traffic regulations as are specificallyauthorized by this act.
(b) No local authority shall erect or maintain any officialtraffic-control device at any location so as to require the traffic on anystate highway to stop before entering or crossing any intersecting highwayunless approval in writing has first been obtained from the highway department.
(c) No ordinance or regulation enacted under paragraphs(a)(iv), (v), (vi), (viii), (ix), (x), (xiii) or (xv) of this section iseffective until official traffic-control devices giving notice of the localtraffic regulations are erected upon or at the entrances to the highway or partthereof affected as may be most appropriate.
31-5-110. Limitations upon powers of local authorities; exceptions asto municipal authorities.
(a) Except as otherwise provided, local authorities shall notrequire any person to pay any fee or license for the use or exclude any personfrom the free use of the public highways or in any other way regulate theoperation of motor vehicles or their speed upon or use of the public highways.Local authorities may, within their legal corporate limits:
(i) Regulate the operation of vehicles offered for hire, orforming a part of processions, assemblages or parades on public highways orpublic grounds;
(ii) Close for a reasonable time a specified highway for speedcontests or races, with proper safety restrictions and regulations;
(iii) Exclude motor vehicles from any cemetery or burial ground;and
(iv) Exclude motor vehicles used solely for commercial purposesfrom any park or part of a park system.
31-5-111. Right of real property owners to prohibit or regulate publicvehicular use; handicapped parking.
(a) Nothing in this act prevents the owner of real propertyused by the public for purposes of vehicular travel by permission of the owner,and not as matter of right, from prohibiting the use, or from requiring otheror different or additional conditions than those specified in this act, orotherwise regulating use of the real property as determined by the owner.
(b) With the approval of the board of county commissioners orthe local governing body having jurisdiction, the real property owner mayreserve parking spaces for the handicapped and erect signs in accordance withW.S. 31-5-501(b). The signs reserving parking spaces for the handicapped underthis section shall be enforceable under W.S. 31-5-501(c) or any existingmunicipal ordinance adopted by the governing body of the municipality withjurisdiction.
31-5-112. Adoption of uniform system of traffic-control devices.
Thedepartment shall adopt a manual and specifications for a uniform system oftraffic-control devices consistent with this act for use upon highways withinthis state. The uniform system shall correlate with and so far as possibleconform to the system set forth in the most recent edition of the "Manualon Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways" and otherstandards issued or endorsed by the federal highway administrator.
31-5-113. Placement and maintenance of traffic-control devices bydepartment.
(a) The department shall place and maintain suchtraffic-control devices, conforming to the department's manual andspecifications, upon all state highways as it deems necessary to indicate andto carry out this act or to regulate, warn or guide traffic.
(b) No local authority shall place or maintain anytraffic-control device upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the highwaydepartment except with the highway department's permission.
31-5-114. Renumbered as 31-18-602 by Laws 1993, ch. 68, 4.
31-5-115. Operation of motorcycles and pedestrian vehicles.
(a) A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon thepermanent and regular seat attached thereto and shall not carry any otherperson nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless the motorcycle isdesigned to carry more than one (1) person, in which event a passenger may rideupon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two (2) persons, or uponanother seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of theoperator.
(b) A person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sittingastride the seat, facing forward, with one (1) leg on each side of themotorcycle.
(c) No person shall operate a motorcycle while carrying anypackage, bundle or other article which prevents him from keeping both hands onthe handlebars, or obstructs his vision, or interferes with the operation ofthe motorcycle.
(d) No operator shall carry any person, nor shall any personride in a position that will interfere with the operation or control of themotorcycle or the view of the operator.
(e) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and nomotor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle ofthe full use of a lane. Two (2) motorcycles may be driven abreast in the samelane by consent of both motorcycle drivers.
(f) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and passany vehicle in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken, exceptanother motorcycle. The operator of a motorcycle overtaking another motorcyclein the same lane shall first match the speed of the motorcycle being overtaken.
(g) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes oftraffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
(h) Subsections (f) and (g) of this section do not apply topolice officers in the performance of their official duties.
(j) Motorcycles shall not be operated three (3) or more abreastin a single lane.
(k) No person riding upon a motorcycle shall attach himself orthe motorcycle to any other moving vehicle on a roadway. This does notprohibit attaching a motorcycle trailer or motorcycle semitrailer to amotorcycle if the trailer or semitrailer was designed for the attachment.
(m) Any motorcycle carrying a passenger, other than in asidecar or enclosed cab, shall be equipped with footrests for the passenger.
(n) No person shall operate any motorcycle with handlebars sopositioned that the hands of the operator, when upon the grips, are aboveshoulder height when the operator is sitting astride the vehicle seat with thevehicle in an upright position.
(o) No minor shall operate or ride nor shall the operatorpermit a minor to ride upon a motorcycle unless he is wearing protectiveheadgear securely fastened on his head, and of a type which complies withstandards established by the superintendent. This subsection does not apply topersons riding within an enclosed cab nor to persons operating or riding amoped. This subsection only applies to motorcycles used on public highways,streets and thoroughfares.
(p) Any person operating a motorcycle or pedestrian vehicleshall have the headlamps of the motorcycle or pedestrian vehicle activated atall times, including daylight hours.
(q) Operators of motorcycles operating in an officiallyauthorized parade are exempt from subsections (e) through (o) of this section.
(r) The superintendent is authorized to approve or disapproveprotective headgear required herein, and to issue and enforce regulationsestablishing standards and specifications for the approval thereof and to thesale and use of the equipment as provided in W.S. 31-5-932 through 31-5-934 forother vehicle safety equipment. The standard for protective headgear shall meetor exceed the Z90.1-1971 standard of the American National Standards Institute.However, all existing equipment meeting the Z90.1-1966 standard of the AmericanNational Standards Institute shall be accepted.
(s) This section applies to motor-driven cycles unlessotherwise provided.
31-5-116. Obstruction to driver's view or driving mechanism.
(a) No person shall drive a vehicle when it is loaded, or whenthere are in the front seat enough people, exceeding three (3), to obstruct theview of the driver to the front or sides of the vehicle or to interfere withthe driver's control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.
(b) No passenger in a vehicle shall ride in such position as tointerfere with the driver's view ahead or to the sides, or to interfere withhis control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.
31-5-117. Dropping or throwing material on highway; removal ofinjurious material.
(a) Except in the process of highway construction or repair,any person who drops, or permits to be dropped or thrown, upon a highway anymaterial shall immediately remove the material or cause it to be removed.
(b) Any person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from ahighway shall remove any glass or other substance dropped upon the highway fromthe vehicle.
31-5-118. Regulations relative to school buses.
(a) The state superintendent of public instruction shall adoptand enforce regulations not inconsistent with this act to govern the design andoperation of all school buses used for the transportation of school childrenwhen owned and operated by any school district or privately owned and operatedunder contract with any school district in this state and the regulations shallby reference be made a part of any contract with a school district. Everyschool district, its officers and employees, and every person employed undercontract by a school district shall be subject to the regulations.
(b) Any officer or employee of any school district who violatesany of the regulations or fails to include obligation to comply with theregulations in any contract executed by him on behalf of a school district isguilty of misconduct and subject to removal from office or employment. Anyperson operating a school bus under contract with a school district who failsto comply with the regulations is guilty of breach of contract and the contractshall be cancelled after notice and hearing by the responsible officers of theschool district.
31-5-119. Clinging to vehicles.
(a) No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, roller skates,sled or toy vehicle shall attach it or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.
(b) This section does not prohibit attaching a bicycle traileror bicycle semitrailer to a bicycle if the trailer or semitrailer was designedfor the attachment.
(c) No person operating a vehicle shall permit a passenger toride on the fender or running board of the vehicle nor shall any passenger rideon the fender or running board of a vehicle. This subsection does not apply toa commercial vehicle or a vehicle operated by or for a political subdivision ofthis state designed to permit a passenger to ride on a fender or running board,such as a fire department or trash collection truck.
31-5-120. Driving upon sidewalk.
Noperson shall drive any vehicle except motorized wheelchairs other than by humanpower upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent or dulyauthorized temporary driveway.
31-5-121. Opening and closing vehicle doors.
Noperson shall open any door on a motor vehicle unless and until it is reasonablysafe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of othertraffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on a side of a vehicleavailable to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to loador unload passengers.
31-5-122. Riding in house trailers.
Noperson shall occupy a house trailer while it is being towed upon a publichighway.
31-5-123. Funeral processions; right-of-way; limitations.
(a) A funeral procession led by a funeral car or escorted by apolice vehicle and displaying flashing lights authorized under W.S. 31-5-928has the right-of-way in the lane or portion of the roadway upon which it istraveling subject to the following:
(i) The driver of the lead vehicle of the procession shallcomply with all traffic control devices except when otherwise directed by a lawenforcement officer. Vehicles in the procession displaying headlamps mayfollow the lead vehicle without stopping at stop signs or traffic signals. Vehicles in the procession shall yield the right-of-way to authorized emergencyvehicles;
(ii) Vehicles in a funeral procession shall be driven on theright-hand side of the roadway and, if a laned roadway, in the right-hand lanenearest the right-hand edge of the roadway.
(b) Drivers of oncoming vehicles are required to yield theright-of-way to funeral processions.
31-5-124. Off-road recreational vehicles; multipurpose vehicles;limitation on use; equipment.
(a) No person shall operate an off-road recreational vehicle asdefined in W.S. 31-1-101(a)(xv)(K) upon public streets or highways except:
(i) For incidental operation of vehicles specified in W.S.31-1-101(a)(xv)(K), upon a public street or highway located outside the limitsof an incorporated municipality pursuant to agricultural operations as definedin W.S. 31-18-801(a)(i). An off-road recreational vehicle operated upon apublic street or highway under this paragraph is subject to the same equipmentrequirements under this act as an implement of husbandry, except that vehiclesspecified in W.S. 31-1-101(a)(xv)(K)(II), when operated pursuant to thisparagraph, shall:
(A) Wherever practicable, only be operated off the maintraveled portion of the roadway. Crossings of main traveled roadways shall bemade at right angles to the roadway or as nearly so as practicable, but in anycase yielding the right-of-way to all traffic in the main traveled roadway;
(B) If the operator is a minor, or if a minor is a rider, beoperated with a helmet in accordance with W.S. 31-5-115(o);
(C) Be operated only by a person who possesses a valid driver'slicense with a motorcycle endorsement pursuant to W.S. 31-7-109(d)(vi).
(ii) For operation of a vehicle in accordance with theprovisions of W.S. 31-5-1601.
(b) Multipurpose vehicles may be operated on public streets or highways,subject to the following:
(i) Multipurpose vehicles shall not be operated on interstatehighways;
(ii) If a multipurpose vehicle is incapable of achieving themaximum speed allowed on the specific highway, it shall be operated on theextreme right hand edge of the roadway and shall be equipped with either areflectorized flag as described in W.S. 31-5-960(a)(vi) or a slow movingvehicle emblem as described in W.S. 31-5-921(h);
(iii) Multipurpose vehicles designed for operation at speeds lessthan twenty-five (25) miles per hour shall be equipped with a slow movingvehicle emblem as described in W.S. 31-5-921(h).
ARTICLE 2 - OPERATION OF VEHICLES GENERALLY
31-5-201. Driving on right side of roadway; exceptions.
(a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall bedriven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:
(i) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding inthe same direction under the rules governing the movement;
(ii) When a stationary obstruction exists making it necessary todrive to the left of the center of the highway but any person so doing shallyield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction uponthe unobstructed portion of the highway within such distance as to constitutean immediate hazard;
(iii) Upon a roadway divided into three (3) marked lanes fortraffic under the rules applicable thereon; or
(iv) Upon a roadway designated and signposted for one-waytraffic.
(b) Upon all roadways except one-way streets any vehicleproceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place andunder the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane thenavailable for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb oredge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicleproceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at anintersection or into an alley, private road or driveway.
(c) Upon any roadway having four (4) or more lanes for movingtraffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall bedriven to the left of the center line of the roadway except when authorized byofficial traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the left side ofthe center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use thelanes, or except as permitted under paragraph (a)(ii) of this section. Thissubsection does not prohibit the crossing of the center line in making a leftturn into or from an alley, private road or driveway.
31-5-202. Passing of vehicle approaching from opposite direction.
Driversof vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to theright and upon roadways having width for not more than one (1) line of trafficin each direction each driver shall give to the other at least one-half (1/2)of the main-traveled portion of the roadway as nearly as possible.
31-5-203. Rules governing overtaking on the left.
(a) The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passingof vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations,exceptions and special rules hereinafter stated:
(i) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicleproceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distanceand shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clearof the overtaken vehicle;
(ii) Except when overtaking and passing on the right ispermitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right infavor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase thespeed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
31-5-204. General limitations on overtaking on the left.
Novehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway inovertaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unlessthe left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for asufficient distance ahead to permit the overtaking and passing to be completelymade without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from theopposite direction or any vehicle overtaken. In every event the overtakingvehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable andin the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized forvehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within twohundred (200) feet of any approaching vehicle.
31-5-205. Additional limitations on driving on the left; exceptions.
(a) No vehicle shall be driven on the left side of the roadwayunder the following conditions:
(i) When approaching or upon the crest of a grade or a curve inthe highway where the driver's view is obstructed within such distance as tocreate a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the oppositedirection;
(ii) When approaching within one hundred (100) feet of ortraversing any intersection or railroad grade crossing unless otherwiseindicated by official traffic-control devices;
(iii) When the view is obstructed upon approaching within onehundred (100) feet of any bridge, viaduct or tunnel.
(b) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply:
(i) Upon a one-way roadway;
(ii) Under the conditions described in W.S. 31-5-201(a)(ii);
(iii) To the driver of a vehicle turning left into or from analley, private road or driveway.
31-5-206. Overtaking on the right.
(a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon theright of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
(i) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make aleft turn;
(ii) Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficientwidth for two (2) or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the directionbeing traveled by the overtaking vehicle.
(b) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass anothervehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting the movement in safety.The movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway.
31-5-207. No-passing zones.
(a) The superintendent and local authorities may determinethose portions of any highway under their respective jurisdictions whereovertaking and passing or driving on the left of the roadway would beespecially hazardous and may by appropriate signs or markings on the roadwayindicate the beginning and end of such zones and when the signs or markings arein place and clearly visible to an ordinarily observant person every driver ofa vehicle shall obey the directions thereof.
(b) Where signs or markings are in place to define a no-passingzone as set forth in subsection (a) of this section no driver shall drive onthe left side of the roadway within a no-passing zone or on the left side ofany pavement striping designed to mark a no-passing zone throughout its length.
(c) This section does not apply under the conditions describedin W.S. 31-5-201(a)(ii) nor to the driver of a vehicle turning left into orfrom any alley, private road or driveway.
31-5-208. One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands.
(a) The superintendent and local authorities with respect tohighways under their respective jurisdictions may designate any highway,roadway, part of a roadway or specific lanes upon which vehicular traffic shallproceed in one (1) direction at all or such times as is indicated by officialtraffic-control devices.
(b) Upon a roadway so designated for one-way traffic a vehicleshall be driven only in the direction designated at all or such times asindicated by official traffic-control devices.
(c) A vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island shall bedriven only to the right of the island.
31-5-209. Driving on roadways laned for traffic.
(a) Whenever any roadway has been divided into two (2) or moreclearly marked lanes for traffic the following rules in addition to all othersconsistent herewith shall apply:
(i) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirelywithin a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane until the driver hasfirst ascertained that the movement can be made with safety;
(ii) Upon a roadway which is divided into three (3) lanes andprovides for two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in thecenter lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in thesame direction when the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance,or in preparation for making or completing a left turn or where the center laneis at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction thevehicle is proceeding and the allocation is designated by officialtraffic-control devices;
(iii) Official traffic-control devices may be erected directingspecified traffic to use a designated lane or designating those lanes to beused by traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of the center ofthe roadway and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every suchdevice;
(iv) Official traffic-control devices may be installedprohibiting the changing of lanes on sections of roadways and drivers ofvehicles shall obey the directions of every such device.
31-5-210. Following too closely.
(a) The driver of a vehicle shall not follow another vehiclemore closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed ofthe vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.
(b) The driver of any vehicle when traveling upon a roadwayoutside of a business or residence district, and which is following anothervehicle shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that anovertaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger.
(c) Motor vehicles being driven upon any roadway outside of abusiness or residence district in a caravan or motorcade whether or not towingother vehicles shall be so operated as to allow sufficient space between eachvehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable any other vehicle to enterand occupy such space without danger. This provision shall not apply to funeralprocessions.
31-5-211. Driving on divided highways.
Wheneverany highway has been divided into two (2) or more roadways by leaving anintervening space or by a physical barrier or clearly indicated dividingsection so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic, every vehicle shall bedriven only upon the right-hand roadway unless directed or permitted to useanother roadway by official traffic-control devices or police officers. Novehicle shall be driven over, across or within any dividing space, barrier orsection except through an opening in the physical barrier or dividing sectionor space or at a cross-over or intersection as established, unless specificallypermitted by public authority.
31-5-212. Driving onto or from controlled-access highways.
Noperson shall drive a vehicle onto or from any controlled-access highway exceptat such entrances and exits as are established by public authority.
31-5-213. Restrictions on use of controlled-access highways.
(a) The department may by rule or regulation, and localauthorities may by ordinance, with respect to any controlled-access highwayunder their respective jurisdictions prohibit or regulate the use of thehighway by any class or kind of traffic which is found to be incompatible withthe normal and safe movement of traffic.
(b) The department or the local authority adopting any prohibitoryregulation under subsection (a) of this section shall erect and maintainofficial traffic-control devices on the controlled-access highway on which theregulations are applicable and when so erected no person shall disobey therestrictions stated on the devices.
31-5-214. Required position and method of turning at intersections.
(a) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn shall do so asfollows:
(i) Right turns: Boththe approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close aspracticable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway;
(ii) Left turns: Thedriver of a vehicle intending to turn left shall approach the turn in theextreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction oftravel of the vehicle. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made to theleft of the center of the intersection and so as to leave the intersection orother location in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to trafficmoving in the same direction as the vehicle on the roadway being entered;
(iii) Two-way left turn lanes: Wherea special lane for making left turns by drivers proceeding in oppositedirections has been indicated by official traffic-control devices:
(A) A left turn shall not be made from any other lane;
(B) A vehicle shall not be driven in the lane except whenpreparing for making a left turn from or onto the roadway or when preparing fora U-turn when otherwise permitted by law.
(b) The highway department and local authorities in theirrespective jurisdictions may cause official traffic-control devices to beplaced and thereby require and direct that a different course from thatspecified in this section be traveled by turning vehicles and when the devicesare so placed no driver shall turn a vehicle other than as directed andrequired by the devices.
31-5-215. Limitations on turning around.
(a) The driver of a vehicle shall not turn the vehicle so as toproceed in the opposite direction unless the movement can be made in safety andwithout interfering with other traffic.
(b) No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the oppositedirection upon any curve, or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade,where the vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle approachingfrom either direction within five hundred (500) feet.
31-5-216. Starting parked vehicle.
Noperson shall start a vehicle which is stopped, standing or parked unless anduntil the movement can be made with reasonable safety.
31-5-217. Turning movements and required signals.
(a) No person shall turn a vehicle or move right or left upon aroadway unless and until the movement can be made with reasonable safety norwithout giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided by this section.
(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left when requiredshall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred (100)feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.
(c) No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of avehicle without first giving an appropriate signal required by this act to thedriver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to givethe signal.
(d) The signals required on vehicles by W.S. 31-5-218(b) shallnot be flashed on one (1) side only on a disabled vehicle, flashed as acourtesy or "do pass" signal to operators of other vehiclesapproaching from the rear, nor be flashed on one (1) side only of a parkedvehicle except as may be necessary for compliance with this section.
(e) No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon private orpublic property to gain access to another roadway for the purpose of avoiding atraffic-control device.
31-5-218. Signals by hand and arm or signal lamps.
(a) Any stop or turn signal when required under this act shallbe given either by means of the hand and arm or by signal lamps, except asotherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Any motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equippedwith, and required signal shall be given by, signal lamps when the distancefrom