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Traffic Safety Task Force

MINUTES OF THE

TRAFFIC SAFETY TASK FORCE

        
July 28, 1998 - 1:30 p.m. - 303 State Capitol



Members Present:
    Sen. Robert Montgomery,
        Co-Chair
    Rep. Wayne A. Harper,
        Co-Chair
    Sen. Millie M. Peterson
    Rep. Patrice Arent
    Mr. K. Craig Allred
    Mr. Beau Babka
    Mr. Bill Barnes
    Mr. Patrick Casaday
    Mr. David Creer
    Ms. Laura Drew
    Ms. Rolayne Fairclough
    Dr. Thomas Metcalf
    Mr. David K. Miles
    Ms. Linda Plouzek    
    Dr. Steve Ronnenkamp

    
Members Absent:
    Mr. Rod Betit
    Mr. Walter Borla
    Mr. Aaron D. Kennard

Staff Present:
    Benjamin N. Christensen,
        Research Analyst
    Dee S Larsen,
        Associate General Counsel
    Junie G. Anderson,
        Legislative Secretary

Note:    A list of others present and a copy of materials distributed in the meeting are on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.

1.     Task Force Business - Chair Montgomery called the meeting to order at 1:39 p.m.

    MOTION: Rep. Arent moved to approve the minutes of the June 29, 1998 meeting. The motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Casaday, Dr. Metcalf, and Dr. Ronnenkamp absent for the vote.

2.     Seat Belt Issues - Mr. Dee Larsen, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (OLRGC), discussed the draft legislation titled "Seat Belt Law Amendments" that was mailed to task force members prior to the meeting.
                
    Sen. Peterson expressed concern that certain provisions may make it difficult to get the bill passed.

    Mr. James Paine, Chief of Police, Brigham City, spoke in support of a primary seat belt law. He also discussed traffic accidents involving deaths to children not restrained in car seats and showed photos of accidents resulting in the deaths of passengers who were not wearing seat belts.

    Ms. Kiersten Hewitt, Children's Advocate, Ms. Jan Yeckes, Utah Department of Transportation, and Mr. Bob Jeppesen, Salt Lake City County Health Department, also spoke in support of a primary seat belt law.
    
    Mr. Steve Sullivan, Robert J. DeBry and Associates, expressed concern over the comparative negligence provision and said that it will generate unintended consequences, including more litigation in cases that should not require litigation.

    Mr. Colin King, Utah Trial Lawyers Association, spoke in support of a primary seat belt law. He also expressed concern over the comparative negligence provision for the same reasons stated by Mr. Sullivan and suggested that the provision be studied more closely.

    Mr. Mitch Jensen, Siegfried & Jensen, spoke in support of a primary seat belt law that increases fines and points against the drivers license. He suggested that the bill should not change the comparative negligence provisions.

    At the request of the task force, Mr. Ben Christensen, OLRGC, showed a video titled "Stop Rolling the Dice" that urged primary seat belt legislation.

     MOTION: Mr. Allred moved to leave the language on page 2, line 7 to read $75. The motion passed unanimously with Mr. Babka absent for the vote.

     MOTION: Rep. Harper moved to restore the language on page 2, lines 12-15, to delete the language on page 3, line 20, and then to place these amendments in a separate bill. The motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Babka absent for the vote.

    Mr. Allred distributed a brochure titled "Always Buckle Children in the Backseat."

3.     Pedestrian Safety Issues - This item was not heard at this meeting but will be heard at the August 25 meeting.

    Ms. Yeckes informed the task force of the Pedestrian Safety Roadshow on August 18-20 and distributed an flyer titled "Pedestrian Safety Roadshow Coming to Utah."

4.    Other Task Force Business -

5.     Adjourn -
    
    MOTION: Sen. Peterson moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously at 3:28 p.m., with Mr. Babka and Mr. Creer absent for the vote.

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