Slow Moving Vehicle Legislation Clear’s Idaho’s House

Legislation clarifying that farm and construction equipment operators are not required to pull over when blocking traffic until it is safe and reasonable continues to progress in the Idaho legislature.

Senate Bill 1224 cleared the House Transportation and Defense Committee Wednesday, March 18th, and was approved by the full House by a 68-0-2 vote on Friday, the 20th.  Supporters say the legislation provides the farming and construction communities with a needed legal defense, especially in situations where they are holding up multiple vehicles.

Current state law does not address this topic.

“So when we go down the road, it's troublesome," said Miguel Villafana when he testified in support of SB 1224 last week.  "We hate it just as much as the public does, but we want to do it safely and lawfully, and we want to do it the right way.”

By the way, the legislation says the driver of farm and construction equipment can continue to block traffic until "a safe and reasonable designated turnout or location exists for the driver to temporarily exit".

Click Here to learn about SB 1224.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com