Section 42-4-616 - Wildlife crossing zones - increase in penalties for moving traffic violations(1) Except as described by subsection (4) of this section, a person who commits a moving traffic violation in a wildlife crossing zone is subject to the increased penalties and surcharges imposed by section 42-4-1701(4) (d.5).(2) For the purposes of this section, "wildlife crossing zone" means an area on a public highway that: (a) Begins at a sign that conforms to the state traffic control manual, was erected by the department of transportation pursuant to section 42-4-118, and indicates that a person is about to enter a wildlife crossing zone; and(b) Extends to: (I) A sign that conforms to the state traffic control manual, was erected by the department of transportation pursuant to section 42-4-118, and indicates that a person is about to leave a wildlife crossing zone; or(II) If no sign exists that complies with subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (b), the distance indicated on the sign indicating the beginning of the wildlife crossing zone; or(III) If no sign exists that complies with subparagraph (I) or (II) of this paragraph (b), one-half mile beyond the sign indicating the beginning of the wildlife crossing zone.(3)(a) If the department of transportation erects a sign that indicates that a person is about to enter a wildlife crossing zone pursuant to section 42-4-118, the department of transportation shall:(I) Establish the times of day and the periods of the calendar year during which the area will be deemed to be a wildlife crossing zone for the purposes of this section; and(II) Ensure that the sign indicates the times of day and the periods of the calendar year during which the area will be deemed to be a wildlife crossing zone for the purposes of this section.(b) In erecting signs as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (3), the department of transportation, pursuant to section 42-4-118, shall not erect signs establishing a lower speed limit for more than one hundred miles of the public highways of the state that have been established as wildlife crossing zones.(4) This section shall not apply if: (a) The person who commits a moving traffic violation in a wildlife crossing zone is already subject to increased penalties and surcharges for said violation pursuant to section 42-4-614 or 42-4-615;(b) The sign indicating that a person is about to enter a wildlife crossing zone does not indicate that increased traffic penalties are in effect in the zone; or(c) The person who commits a moving traffic violation in a wildlife crossing zone commits the violation during a time that the area is not deemed by the department of transportation to be a wildlife crossing zone for the purposes of this section.L. 2010: Entire section added, (HB 10-1238), ch. 393, p. 1868, §2, effective September 1.