Legislature(2007 - 2008)CAPITOL 106
03/27/2007 03:00 PM House HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB157 | |
| Board of Education and Early Development | |
| Professional Teaching Practices Commission | |
| State Medical Board | |
| University of Alaska Board of Regents | |
| HB181 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 157 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 181 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 181-TRAFFIC OFFENSES: FINES/SCHOOL ZONES 5:10:37 PM CHAIR WILSON announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 181, "An Act relating to traffic offenses and traffic offenses committed in a school zone; and providing for an effective date." 5:10:52 PM ROBERT MYERS JR., Intern to Representative Peggy Wilson, Alaska State Legislature, provided the sectional analysis for HB 181. He told the committee that, when speaking of car versus pedestrian, slower is better. Section 1 of HB 181 provides for double traffic fines for an infraction in a school zone. Section 2 doubles the demerit points for multiple moving violations in school zones. Section 3 raises the maximum fines to $1,000. Section 4 defines "school zone". Section 5 annuls 13 AAC 02.325(d) and 13 AAC 03.325(d). Section 6 sets the effective date for the act, if passed. Mr. Robert Myers Jr. explained that the committee substitute (CS) adds a new section to Section 2 that limits the multiple violations to within 24 months. In addition, the CS will change the effective date to provide the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Administration (DOA) time to update its computer systems. An effective date of 2012, will allow for the programming time needed and will potentially eliminate the fiscal note. Prior to the effective date, data on moving violations in school zones will be analyzed for effectiveness. 5:16:39 PM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked whether the double points would mean that a person could get two moving violations in a school zone, within 24 months, and lose driving privileges. MR. ROBERT MYERS JR. affirmed that possibility. REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER remarked, "That seems a little Draconian to me if both of those offenses were when children aren't present." MR. ROBERT MYERS JR. explained that the definition in Section 4 specifies that the higher fines are in effect when the signs are operational. 5:18:23 PM REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN asked whether the school zones signs indicate times. MR. ROBERT MYERS JR. responded that the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has three school zone signs that define times: red lights flashing; 7a.m.-5p.m. School Days; and When Children Present. REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN noted that marked crosswalks are sometimes obscured by heavy snow. MR. ROBERT MYERS JR. answered that HB 181 replaces the marked crosswalk definition with speed zone signs. REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN referred to the $1,000 fine, and asked whether that amount is typical for a traffic violation. MR. ROBERT MYERS JR. informed the committee that the $1,000 fine is a high level for a traffic fine; however, some states require jail time for speeding when not in a school zone. This amount is on equal footing with reckless driving. It is conceivable that, even with current fines, if you are traveling over 20 miles per hour in a school zone, you would be fined over $300. 5:23:38 PM BOB MYERS, Custodian, Fairbanks Public Schools, speaking as an individual, stated his support for HB 181. As a part-time crossing guard, he reported on the many dangerous driving situations he has observed. Distracted drivers are a common sight, and the crosswalk is not monitored in the afternoon, due to funding constraints. Mr. Bob Myers pointed out that federal mandates are provided for educating our children, but not for protecting them while getting to and from school. He offered traffic injury figures from a survey from across the nation, with specific statistics from Yakima, Washington. REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER observed that some of the alarming descriptions of poor driving are already traffic infractions. She suggested that enforcing existing laws may solve the problem. MR. BOB MYERS expressed his belief that incentives to increase compliance are necessary. [HB 181 was held over with public testimony open.]
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