From Deseret News archives:
Driver-safety bills get mixed treatment
Raise in speed limit fails; teen driving restrictions remain
It would be safe to say that safety advocates were a bit nervous this year. But as a whole, the session was a draw, said Rolayne Fairclough, spokeswoman for AAA of Utah.
Some safety-related bills passed. Many failed including the attempt to raise the speed limit. SB17 was amended in the House to remove the increase and later passed in the Senate.
The bill had a separate provision allowing motorists to be ticketed for "careless driving," which was defined as driving a car while being distracted by things such as food, children, or tending to personal hygiene.
The bill allowing 6-year-olds to ride an OHV on public lands, HB237, was amended in the House to just allow children that age to compete in sanctioned racing events. Debate on the bill was expected late Wednesday.
HB82, which would have removed restrictions on teen drivers, did not receive a vote in the House.
Fairclough said the state did the right thing in not passing HB82. The measure would have repealed several graduated driving license laws approved in recent years, ranging from a prohibition on nighttime driving to not having teen passengers in the car.
"Now we have all the components and a very clear law," Fairclough said about Utah's graduated license law.
One bill that she and others favored was SB36, which failed in the House. It would have made not wearing a seat belt a primary offense.
Lawmakers have considered, but failed to approve, a primary seat belt law for at least four years. Current law only allows a person to be ticketed for a seat belt violation if they committed another violation first.
"It has gone further than it ever has before," Fairclough said about the seat-belt bill. "We were within a few votes."
Other bills that were considered, but failed to receive a vote, included a measure by Rep. Aaron Tilton, R-Springville, to require all teens to write a 10-page report about a highway accident before receiving their license. The bill, HB322, did not receive a vote late Wednesday.
Another bill would have forbidden teens from talking on a wireless telephone while driving, HB217, also did not get voted on.
E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com
Comments
- 'Mormon Mustang' pilot valiant 1:56 p.m.
- BYU-I devotional: Elder Clayton 1:38 p.m.
- Juan Diego pulls away from Wasatch 1:34 p.m.
- Iran began nuke plant 7 years ago 1:16 p.m.
- Fort Hood suspect charged 1:16 p.m.
- Obama orders Fort Hood intel review 1:06 p.m.
- Federal deficit sets October record 1:04 p.m.
- 5A: Davis, Hunter by the numbers 12:58 p.m.
- Cougars land Vegas standout 12:52 p.m.
- Salt Laker places 5th in skeleton 12:49 p.m.
- House passes health care bill
299 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
288 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
158 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - Will state consider gay rights law?
117 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
112 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
110
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
It is easy to tell the difference between a "fair tax" and an unfair tax. A...
Just as the liberals will never stop, I will never stop affirming my...
We have a point guard and a very good back up power forward (Millsap). Our...
Laws regarding marriage.... | 12:39 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009 "...are the same for...
The difference is huge because a vote authorizing the President to go to war...
Demo Dave | 11:28 a.m. If you listened to the shows you complain about you...
These are not MC fans, they have to be TV trying to get everyone relied up....
Any elected official who supports said measures will not get my vote. This...
I'm still not clear on if we are discussing another "urban myth" or if there...
I'm thinking Tavi is open right now....and he should shoot it!



You can be the first to comment on this story.