5 new Idaho traffic laws take effect today. What’s changing for drivers?
Summer travel plans are in full swing in Idaho as July begins.
Several new state laws go into effect Wednesday, July 1, bringing big changes to Idaho drivers.
They include updated vehicle registration rules, fresh guidance for road construction projects and new speed limits for semitrailer trucks.
Here’s what to know about new traffic laws in Idaho:
Do e-bikes have right of way on Idaho roads?
Starting Wednesday, July 1, Idaho residents using electric bicycles will be granted the right of way on the road.
House Bill 500 gives e-bike users the same legal protections from motor vehicles as regular bicyclists and pedestrians.
The law also requires e-bike riders to abide by all posted signage and follow the rules of the road.
How is vehicle registration changing in Idaho?
House Bill 533, which takes effect Wednesday, eliminates the color-coded vehicle registration stickers Idaho drivers attach to their license plates as a cost-saving measure.
However, you’ll still need to renew your vehicle’s registration.
Having expired tags in Idaho is a traffic infraction punishable by a $101 fine, according to the Idaho Supreme Court.
If you’re caught driving with fake registration or borrowing or stealing tags, you could pay a $115 fine, the Statesman previously reported. The true owner of the registration is at risk of being fined the same amount.
If you provide false information when you’re registering your vehicle, you could face a $156.50 fine. That includes giving a name that is not legally recognized by the state of Idaho.
Will Idaho highway districts build more bike lanes?
House Bill 508 updates previous guidelines for road construction projects.
Senate Bills 1144 and 1140 required highway districts to prioritize vehicle traffic and barred them from narrowing streets to make room for bike lanes and pedestrian pathways, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.
Starting Wednesday, highway districts will have more freedom to integrate bike lanes and “pedestrian facilities” into construction projects, the law says.
What’s considered reckless driving in Idaho?
Under House Bill 570, drivers who travel 20 mph or more over posted speed limits in school and construction zones can be convicted of reckless driving.
While the new law adds specific examples of reckless driving to encourage safety in these restricted speed zones, the penalties remain the same as before.
Reckless driving is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and a maximum of six months in county jail for a first offense.
With additional offenses, maximum penalties for reckless driving double a $2,000 fine and a year in jail.
If you’re found guilty of reckless driving, you could also have your Idaho driver’s license suspended.
How fast are trucks allowed to drive on Idaho highways?
If you find yourself flanked by tractor-trailer trucks traveling at high speeds over the Fourth of July weekend, you can thank House Bill 664.
Drivers in vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds will no longer be required to travel at a lower speed than other traffic on certain sections of rural interstates.
Starting July 1, semi trucks can follow the same posted maximum speed limit as passenger cars, reaching speeds up to 80 mph in some places.
