Anonymous bad driver complaints moves forward

Worried about Dad's driving ability? Think your neighbor's son is incompetent behind the wheel?

A bill passed 3-1 out of committee Tuesday that would allow people to report bad drivers to the state Driver License Division without worrying about ruining a relationship.

Under SB34, a person would be allowed to make a confidential report to the state Driver License Division, recommending a poor driver be retested for a driver license. The person making the report would need to give their name to the state, but the state would not be required to release the reporter's name.

Current law requires the Driver License Division to release the name of someone reporting a bad driver to the accused driver. A similar bill was run last year, but failed.

"It's just one more tiny thing to get some of these incompetent drivers off the road," said Sen. Allen Christensen, R- North Ogden, the sponsor of this year's measure.

Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, voted against the bill. He said it infringed on the right of people to face their accusers. "That's just a fundamental in my mind," he said.

Two members of the public commented on the bill, asking that the Legislature work to provide other transportation options for drivers without a license such as bus, or additional funding for drivers hired through aging services.

The bill now moves to the Senate floor for a vote. For more information, log on to: www.le.state.ut.us