Citations Affected: IC 8-23; IC 9-19; IC 9-21.
Synopsis: Various traffic matters. Requires that, after June 30, 2011,
there must be: (1) a sign or in certain circumstances, a speed limit sign
beacon, at or as near as practical to the point where a school zone
begins, indicating the reduced speed limit for the school zone; and (2)
a sign at the end of the school zone indicating the end of the school
zone. Requires the department of transportation to install a traffic
signal at an intersection in the immediate vicinity of certain schools
and private colleges and universities under certain circumstances.
Requires the Indiana department of transportation to illuminate the
intersection of U.S. 40 and State Road 3 in Henry County and fund the
costs of the illumination. Makes technical corrections. Provides that a
privately owned emergency vehicle may display green light emitting
diodes (LEDs) instead of a standard bulb with a green lens.
Effective: July 1, 2009.
January 12, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Roads and Transportation.
February 9, 2009, amended, reported _ Do Pass.
February 12, 2009, read second time, amended, ordered engrossed.
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
motor vehicles.
accordance with the agreement entered into before installation.
(b) The department shall fund totally the illumination of the
intersection of U.S. Highway 40 and State Road 3 in Henry County,
as required under section 1 of this chapter.
transportation shall:
(1) install any traffic signal that meets the standards,
specifications, and warrants set forth in the Indiana Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways or (2)
grant written permission to a city or town to erect the traffic
signal if it is not possible for the state immediately to install the
traffic signal; or
(2) install a traffic signal at an intersection at a location
indicated in a petition to the Indiana department of
transportation from a private college or university accredited
by a recognized regional accrediting agency or a school
corporation if:
(A) the proposed installation does not meet the standards,
specifications, and warrants set forth in the Indiana
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets
and Highways;
(B) the location is in the immediate vicinity of the private
college or university or a school within the school
corporation; and
(C) the private college or university or the school
corporation agrees to pay the costs of the installation of the
traffic signal.
miles per hour.
The local authority must perform an engineering and traffic
investigation before a determination may be made to change a speed
limit under subdivision (2), (3), (4), or (5) or before the speed limit
within an urban district may be decreased to less than twenty-five (25)
miles per hour under subdivision (1).
(b) Except as provided in subsection (f), a local authority in the
authority's jurisdiction shall determine by an engineering and traffic
investigation the proper maximum speed for all local streets and shall
declare a reasonable and safe maximum speed permitted under this
chapter for an urban district. However, an engineering and traffic study
is not required to be performed for the local streets in an urban district
under this subsection if the local authority determines that the proper
maximum speed in the urban district is not less than twenty-five (25)
miles per hour.
(c) An altered limit established under this section is effective at all
times or during hours of darkness or at other times as may be
determined when appropriate signs giving notice of the altered limit are
erected on the street or highway.
(d) Except as provided in this subsection, a local authority may not
alter a speed limit on a highway or extension of a highway in the state
highway system. A city or town may establish speed limits on state
highways upon which a school is located. However, a speed limit
established under this subsection is valid only if the following
conditions exist:
(1) The limit is not less than twenty (20) miles per hour.
(2) The limit is imposed only in the immediate vicinity of the
school.
(3) Children are present.
(4) The speed zone is properly signed. After June 30, 2011,
there must be:
(A) a sign, or a sign beacon as provided in subdivision (5),
located:
(i) where the reduced speed zone begins; or
(ii) as near as practical to the point where the reduced
speed zone begins;
indicating the reduced speed limit; and
(B) a sign located at the end of the reduced speed zone
indicating the end of the reduced speed zone.
(5) The speed zone remains in effect during the school day and
at any time before or after the school day and a speed limit
sign beacon having a "When Flashing" legend is used to
identify the periods during which the school speed limit is in
effect.
(5) (6) The Indiana department of transportation has been notified
of the limit imposed by certified mail.
(e) A local authority may decrease a limit on a street to not less than
fifteen (15) miles per hour if the following conditions exist:
(1) The street is located within a park or playground established
under IC 36-10.
(2) The:
(A) board established under IC 36-10-3;
(B) board established under IC 36-10-4; or
(C) park authority established under IC 36-10-5;
requests the local authority to decrease the limit.
(3) The speed zone is properly signed.
(f) A city, town, or county may establish speed limits on a street
or highway upon which a school is located if the street or highway
is under the jurisdiction of the city, town, or county, respectively.
However, a speed limit established under this subsection is valid
only if the following conditions exist:
(1) The limit is not less than:
(A) twenty (20) miles per hour within an urban district;
and
(B) thirty (30) miles per hour outside an urban district.
(2) The limit is imposed only in the immediate vicinity of the
school.
(3) Children are present.
(4) The speed zone is properly signed. After June 30, 2011,
there must be:
(A) a sign, or a sign beacon as provided in subdivision (5),
located:
(i) where the reduced speed zone begins; or
(ii) as near as practical to the point where the reduced
speed zone begins;
indicating the reduced speed limit; and
(B) a sign located at the end of the reduced speed zone
indicating the end of the reduced speed zone.
(5) The speed zone remains in effect during the school day and
at any time before or after the school day and a speed limit
sign beacon having a "When Flashing" legend is used to
identify the periods during which the school speed limit is in
effect.