Traffic rules describes the principles and general ways in which vehicular traffic behaves. For example, it is a general rule that someone operating a motorized vehicle should not have a collision with a pedestrian. To make this rule an actual reality, states and municipalities have developed a set of laws for both parties.
Violators of any one of these laws can be subject to fine or imprisonment by state or local authorities. Penalties for law violations may vary, but the actual wording of the law is less likely to show variation from state to state. However, there is one important principle at work here. Vehicular drivers are expected to try and avoid a collision with any pedestrian, even if the drivers do follow proper procedure.
Traffic laws are established on a state-by-state basis. In many cases the law may be the same from state to state, but there can be variations in the law, such as the maximum speed allowed on state highways. Also, penalties for breaking a traffic law are enforced by state and local law enforcement agencies, so these can vary also. This is particularly true in regards to fines levied for exceeding the speed limit.
Despite the ability of states to set their own traffic laws and regulations, many traffic rules and regulations do not vary from state to state. This is because the federal government has the ability to propose standards for traffic regulation through the the Federal Highway Administration and several committees that give the FHA advice. One such group is called the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and they work with the FHA to set uniform standards, guides and warrants for all traffic control devices.
From time to time new concerns to vehicle operators may arise and require additional regulation. This is almost always relegated to the state or sometimes the local level, but in general practice, the state has the authority to determine restrictions and laws within their entire legal jurisdiction. One case in point are laws that regulate cell phone and texting use by motor vehicle operators. Many states have legislation dealing with this growing problem, but others have decided not to regulate cell phone or texting usage or have not yet implemented any regulations. For example, Utah has banned both cell phone use and texting while operating a motorized vehicle but Oklahoma has not.
