Utah Code § 41-6a-311: Interference with traffic-control devices prohibited -- Traffic signal preemption device prohibited -- Exceptions -- Defense.

(1) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a person may not alter, deface, damage, knock down, or remove any:

(a) traffic-control device;

(b) traffic-monitoring device; or

(c) railroad traffic-control device.

(2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a person may not:

(a) knowingly use a traffic signal preemption device to interfere with the authorized operation or the authorized cycle of a traffic-control signal; or

(b) operate a motor vehicle on a highway while in possession of a traffic signal preemption device.

(3) The provisions of Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a person authorized by the highway authority or railroad authority with jurisdiction over the device.

(4) A violation of Subsection (1) or (2) is a class C misdemeanor.

(5) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under Subsection (2)(b) that the traffic signal preemption device was inoperative and could not be readily used at the time of the citation or arrest.