Legislature(2009 - 2010)BUTROVICH 205
03/03/2009 01:00 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB100 | |
| SB73 | |
| SB59 | |
| SB51 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| HB 100 | |||
| * | SB 73 | ||
| = | SB 59 | ||
| = | SB 51 | ||
SB 73-USE OF HEADLIGHTS REQUIRED
CHAIR KOOKESH announced the consideration of SB 73.
1:03:19 PM
MICHAEL ROVIDO, Staff to Senator Menard, said SB 73 will require
the use of headlights at all times for motor vehicles that are
operating on Alaska roads. The motivation for the bill is to
increase safety on roads in Alaska.
1:04:19 PM
SENATOR MEYER joined the committee.
The Alaska Strategic Highway Safety Plan also recommends
changing state law to require headlights to be switched on at
all times. Norway and Sweden, which have conditions similar to
Alaska, have headlight laws in effect and collisions have
decreased. The sponsor hopes that Alaska will see similar
reductions.
SENATOR PASKVAN asked if the definition of highway means
something other than roadway.
MR. ROVIDO explained that according to legislative legal, the
term "highway" is defined to encompass all public roadways in
Alaska.
CHAIR KOOKESH asked what the penalty would be for driving with
your headlights turned off.
MR. ROVIDO deferred the question to Lieutenant Dial.
RODNEY DIAL, Lieutenant, Department of Public Safety, said there
is a statute that requires the use of headlights at all times on
certain roads that are so posted. The penalty for failing to use
your headlights on those roads is $50 and two points.
SENATOR PASKVAN asked the penalty range for the infraction.
LIEUTENANT DIAL replied the fine is set at $50. The court can
reduce the fine but it won't exceed $50.
CHAIR KOOKESH asked if normal practice is to first issue a
warning.
LIEUTENANT DIAL said it's a low-level infraction and normal
practice is to stop the driver and remind him or her of the
headlight requirement.
1:07:34 PM
SENATOR PASKVAN commented that he thinks that driving with
vehicle lights turned on is highly prudent.
LIEUTENANT DIAL agreed; DPS has a long-standing policy requiring
the use of headlights at all times. Responding to a question
from the Chair, he said the department supports the bill.
CINDY CASHEN, Administrator, Alaska Highway Safety Office,
confirmed that the use of headlights at all times is one of the
projects listed in the Strategic Highway Safety Plan. It's on
the list because about 15 people in Alaska die every year in
head-on collisions. National data indicates that enforcing a
headlights-on law could eliminate between 7 and 15 percent of
these crashes. It's estimated that one life would be saved in
the first year following implementation so the effect would be
immediate.
Fulltime use of headlights is already required on the Seward
Highway and most people comply. Countries in the northern
hemisphere require headlights at all times because long twilight
periods and low sun angles produce shadows and make it difficult
to see vehicles. Nearly all the published reports indicate that
using headlights during the daytime reduces multiple vehicle
crashes. A 1985 U.S. study determined that commercial fleet
passenger vehicles that used headlights during the daytime were
involved in 7 percent fewer daytime multiple vehicle crashes
than similar vehicles that didn't use headlights. This is
significant for Alaska because of the size of its commercial
fleet.
1:11:07 PM
KURT SMITH, Traffic and Safety Engineer, Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities, said DOTPF would post signs
about required headlight use at points of entry, boarder
crossings, ferry terminals and airports. The zero fiscal note
will change to reflect the cost of that signage.
CHAIR KOOKESH asked if the new fiscal note would be ready when
the bill is heard in the next committee of referral.
MR. SMITH said yes.
SENATOR PASKVAN noted that the Strategic Highway Safety Plan
mentions 10 signs at an estimated cost of $10,000.
MR. SMITH said he believes it will be substantially more than
that.
CHAIR KOOKESH again asked for assurance that the new fiscal note
would be available when the bill is heard by the judiciary
committee.
1:13:00 PM
SENATOR MEYER suggested that the fiscal impact may be positive
since fines aren't currently collected and they will be in the
future. "That may more than offset the cost of the signs," he
said. When someone is pulled over for not having their lights
turned on, they could receive a $50 fine plus fines for other
offenses such as no child car seat or texting. It brings up the
point that people need to use common sense when they drive and
this will be a reminder.
CHAIR KOOKESH asked if the department supports the bill.
MR. SMITH said yes.
1:14:18 PM
CHAIR KOOKESH closed public testimony and asked for the will of
the committee. He restated that he is willing to move the bill
with the promise that the DOTPF fiscal note will be available
for the judiciary committee. It will also have a finance
referral.
SENATOR MEYER moved to report SB 73 from committee with
individual recommendations and forthcoming fiscal note(s). There
being no objection, SB 73 moved from the Senate Transportation
Standing Committee.
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