S582 - North Carolina Farm Act of 2023. (SL 2023-63)

Overview: Section 3.1 of S.L. 2023-63 creates a statutory defense for the operator of farm equipment or machinery who runs a red light using an inductive loop to activate the traffic signal if all the following conditions are met:

• The operator brought the farm equipment or machinery to a complete stop at the light.
• No other vehicle that was entitled to have the right-of-way was sitting at, traveling through, or approaching the intersection.
• No pedestrians were attempting to cross at or near the intersection.
• The farm equipment or machinery operator waited at least three minutes at the intersection before entering.

This bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 23, 2023, and that veto was overridden by the General Assembly on June 27, 2023.

This section became effective June 27, 2023.