257.648 Operation of vehicle or bicycle; signals for stopping or turning; signal lamp or mechanical signal device on commercial motor vehicle; violation as civil infracti
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257.648 Operation of vehicle or bicycle; signals for stopping or turning; signal lamp or mechanical signal device on commercial motor vehicle; violation as civil infraction.
Sec. 648.
(1)The operator of a vehicle or bicycle upon a highway, before stopping or turning from a direct line, shall first determine that the stopping or turning can be made in safety and shall give a signal as required in this section.
(2)Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5), a signal required under this section shall be given either by means of the hand and arm in the manner specified in this section, or by a mechanical or electrical signal device that conveys an intelligible signal or warning to other highway traffic.
(3)When a person is operating a vehicle and signal is given by means of the hand and arm, the operator shall signal as follows:
(a)For a left turn, the operator shall extend his or her left hand and arm horizontally.
(b)For a right turn, the operator shall extend his or her left hand and arm upward.
(c)To stop or decrease speed, the operator shall extend his or her left hand and arm downward.
(4)When a person is operating a bicycle and signal is given by means of the hand and arm, the operator shall signal as follows:
(a)For a left turn, the operator shall extend his or her left hand and arm horizontally.
(b)For a right turn, the operator shall extend his or her left hand and arm upward or shall extend his or her right hand and arm horizontally.
(c)To stop or decrease speed, the operator shall extend his or her left hand and arm downward.
(5)A commercial motor vehicle, other than a commercial motor vehicle in transit from a manufacturer to a dealer, in use on a highway shall be equipped with, and required signal shall be given by, a signal lamp or mechanical signal device when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab, or load of the commercial motor vehicle exceeds 24 inches, or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load of the commercial vehicle exceeds 14 feet. The measurement from steering post to rear limit applies to a single vehicle or combination of vehicles.
(6)A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.
History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1954, Act 181, Eff. Aug. 13, 1954 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 166, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 1974, Act 334, Imd. Eff. Dec. 17, 1974 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 1 , Imd. Eff. Jan. 28, 2014