Legislature(1997 - 1998)
04/18/1997 08:15 AM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL 11
"An Act relating to driver's licensing; and providing
for an effective date."
JEFF LOGAN, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE JOE GREEN, noted that HB
11 would establish new rules for young drivers. Due to the
high incidence of accidents, injury, and death among teenage
drivers many states, and other political jurisdictions, are
changing the rules which grant teenagers the "license" to
drive.
He added that one strategy to reduce young driver accidents
is the provisional licensing system. HB 11 would establish
a graduated system whereby a new, young driver must begin
his/her progression to "driver-hood" with a learners permit,
graduating to a restricted provisional license, and then if
driving performance has been satisfactory during the
provisional period, an unrestricted license would be
awarded.
Language in HB 11 would establish certain conditions during
the provisional stage which include restrictions on
nighttime driving, so that driving takes place in less
dangerous circumstances. Several states have laws which
limit teenagers from operating motor vehicles during late
evening or early morning hours. Studies in these states
have shown that nighttime restrictions have significantly
reduced accidents.
Mr. Logan concluded that the legislation would also be
designed to allow the Division of Motor Vehicles to take
full advantage of federal legislation establishing monetary
incentives for states that implement programs for young
drivers. HB 11 will help stop the teenage carnage on our
highways.
Mr. Logan provided a sectional analysis of HB 11. He noted
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that Section #3, AS28.15.057, would establish who is
required to hold the provisional license.
Representative Foster voiced concern in how passage of the
legislation would affect youth drivers in the rural village
areas.
JUANITA HENSLEY, CHIEF OF MOTOR SERVICES, DIVISION OF MOTOR
VEHICLES, DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, explained that in
village areas which do not have access to a Division of
Motor Vehicles (DMV) office, would have the option to come
to the Juneau office or to be issued a restricted driver's
licenses in the mail, not having to take a full fledged road
test. Although, before these youths could drive in a large
city, they would be required to take a behind-the-wheel test
to show their proficiency of driving in traffic. She
reiterated, these youth could receive the restricted license
through the mail; the nighttime restrictions would be the
same in the village areas as it would be in the cities.
Representative J. Davies asked if there was a definition of
"vehicular" way. Ms. Hensley reported that definition is
provided in AS 28.4100.24:
"Vehicular way area means a way, path or other
area, highway or private property that is
designated by official traffic control devices or
customary usage and that is open to the public for
the purposes of pedestrian or vehicle travel".
Representative J. Davies referenced Page 2, Line 21, and
asked if including "or" would be problematic. Ms. Hensley
explained that language in context would be standard
throughout the statute.
REPRESENTATIVE JOE GREEN advised that in the wintertime, it
could be safer to travel on a highway, as a vehicular way
might not be maintained as well. Inclusion of that language
allows the person to go the most safe route home.
JOHN GEORGE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT INSURERS,
JUNEAU,
noted that his organization has supported the legislation
throughout the United States and that it has been adopted in
a number of other states. The legislation has been
successful at lowering the rate of young people's accidents.
He noted that the legislation would restrict young people
from driving during the early morning hours when it is most
dangerous to drive. That is the time of night when the
drunks are out and when the typically fatal accidents occur.
Representative Foster asked if passage of the legislation
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would bring down the insurance rates for kids. Mr. George
believed that it would, noting that the rates are based on
losses, so a downward trend in accidents would lower the
rates. Mr. George added that insurance rates are determined
by individual circumstances. He agreed with members that
insurance is expensive.
BRUCE YATES, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), REPRESENTATIVE,
ANCHORAGE SAFE COMMUNITY COALITION, ANCHORAGE, testified in
support of the proposed legislation. He noted that he
worked as a prevention specialist with the Anchorage School
District. He agreed that the legislation would make
Anchorage a safer place to live. In working with teenagers,
he is informed about the injuries and deaths that occur each
year among high school students. These youth are the
highest age risk group in the municipality. Statistics
indicate that young adults between the ages of 15 and 24
years old, are statistically involved in more motor vehicle
deaths than any other age group.
MARTI GREESON, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, MADD, ANCHORAGE, voiced support for the proposed
legislation. She noted that she has worked in the "victim's
service" field for twenty years. The grief associated with
the loose of a child can be the most difficult to over come.
Young people are involved in over twice the number of
crashes per mile driven as are experienced adult drivers.
Those crashes occur mostly between midnight and 5 A.M. She
urged Committee members to adopt the proposed legislation.
PEGGY HAYASHI, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), STATE
COORDINATOR, SAFETY FOR KIDS, PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL,
ANCHORAGE, voiced support for the legislation. She
testified that the legislation would provide an opportunity
for the Legislature to help kids.
JOAN DIAMOND, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), ANCHORAGE,
echoed support for the proposed legislation and its intent
to hold juveniles accountable for their licensing.
MARK JOHNSON, CHIEF, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, noted that the Department
supports the legislation and sees it as a step toward better
public health. He pointed out that other states who have
adopted similar legislation have indicated a reduction in
crashes for the youth population by 16%.
Ms. Hensley summarized that the fiscal note indicates total
operating costs of which $77 thousand dollars would be a
federal grant. The National Traffic Highway Administration
offered incentives to states to look into such a system.
Alaska and North Carolina were the only two states, at that
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time, which had undertaken such a study. Consequently,
Alaska received a grant for $77 thousand dollars.
Representative Mulder noted that implementation would
provide a net positive of $120 thousand dollars per year for
the State.
Representative G. Davis MOVED to report HB 11 out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
HB 11 was reported out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with a fiscal note by the Department of
Administration.
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