2000-02-11                     Senate Journal                      Page 2277
SB 264                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 264 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
An Act providing for the revocation of driving                                
privileges by a court for a driver convicted of a                              
violation of traffic laws in connection with a fatal                           
motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle accident;                            
and amending Rules 43 and 43.1, Alaska Rules of                                
Administration.                                                                
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance              
Committees.                                                                    
                                                                               
Indeterminate fiscal note published today from Department of                   
Administration. Zero fiscal notes published today from Department              
of Law, Department of Public Safety.                                           

2000-02-11                     Senate Journal                      Page 2278
SB 264                                                                       
Governors transmittal letter dated February 10:                                
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
Many Alaskans are killed annually by drivers who are operating their           
vehicles in an unsafe way, but are not specifically violating any              
criminal laws. In 1998, approximately 20 deaths on our state                   
highways may have fallen into this category. The extent of any                 
punishment in these cases is merely a fine for a traffic violation of          
up to $300.                                                                    
                                                                               
Regardless of whether their conduct is criminal, drivers whose traffic         
violations contribute to an accident causing the death of another              
person pose a risk to people on the highways and cause much                    
suffering to family and friends of their victims. This bill I transmit         
today addresses this unfortunate situation by requiring, under certain         
circumstances, revocation of driving privileges of a driver involved           
in a fatal traffic accident.                                                   
                                                                               
This bill requires the court to revoke driving privileges in cases             
where a person violated traffic laws and the violation contributed to          
an accident that resulted in a death. The license revocation would be          
for one year and applies to drivers of all vehicles, including those           
for commercial use. The court would be allowed to grant limited                
license privileges if it determines driving is critical to the person's        
livelihood and will not pose a danger to the public.                           
                                                                               
When people drive in an unsafe way and cause the death of another,             
their privilege to drive should be taken to protect other drivers and          
pedestrians on the roadways.                                                   
                                                                               
					Sincerely,                                                                
					/s/                                                                       
					Tony Knowles                                                              
					Governor