HB 1204 Summary

• Amends North Dakota Century Code sections related to yielding to authorized emergency vehicles and vehicles used for state highway maintenance, adding new penalties for violations causing accidents.

• Establishes a $50 penalty for violations of sections 39-10-26 and 39-10-26.2 (failure to yield to emergency vehicles), plus a $25 penalty for violations of section 39-10-26 or 39-10-26.2 in a separate fee structure.

• Creates new subsection 3.5 requiring drivers approaching state highway maintenance vehicles displaying flashing amber or white lights on interstate or multilane highways to yield by changing lanes or reducing speed by at least 20 mph below the posted limit.

• Makes causing an accident while failing to yield to an authorized emergency vehicle or state highway maintenance vehicle an infraction, with 2 demerit points assessed.

• Clarifies that drivers of emergency vehicles and highway maintenance vehicles remain responsible for driving with due regard for the safety of all highway users.