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Traffic Safety Task Force

MINUTES OF THE

TRAFFIC SAFETY TASK FORCE

        
September 8, 1998 - 1:00 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. Bill Barnes
    Mr. Walter Borla
    Mr. Patrick Casaday
    Ms. Laura Drew
    Ms. Rolayne Fairclough
    Dr. Thomas Metcalf
    Mr. David K. Miles
    Ms. Linda Plouzek    
    Dr. Steve Ronnenkamp


Members Absent:
    Mr. Beau Babka
    Mr. Rod Betit
    Mr. David Creer
    Mr. Aaron D. Kennard

Staff Present:
    Mr. Benjamin N. Christensen,
        Research Analyst
    Mr. Dee S Larsen,
        Associate General Counsel
    Ms. 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 1:10 p.m.

    MOTION: Ms. Plouzek moved to approve the minutes of the August 25, 1998 meeting. The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Peterson, Mr. Casaday, Dr. Metcalf, and Mr. Miles absent for the vote.

2.     Pedestrian Safety Issues - Mr. Christensen distributed a handout titled "Massachusetts Pedestrian Transportation Plan." He explained the plan to task force members.

    Mr. Mack Christensen, Utah Department of Transportation, distributed a handout titled "Summary of the Massachusetts Pedestrian Transportation Plan." He reported on how UDOT's pedestrian safety efforts compare with the Massachusetts plan as outlined in the handout.

    Sen. Peterson expressed concern for pedestrians, especially the young and the elderly, trying to cross busy streets, such as Bangerter Highway. She said that, because of the lack of instructions, many people are unaware that if they push the pedestrian button, they will be given more time to cross the street.

    Mr. Allred suggested that areas frequented by senior citizens be allowed longer walking time.He also suggested that teachers, parents, and children go over the checklist that was distributed during the August meeting, then participate in the National Walk Our Children to School Day on September 23. He stressed the importance of educating school-age children on pedestrian safety.

    Mr. Allred handed out a poster stating "It only takes 20 mph to kill a child! Take the Green Ribbon Pledge!" He also distributed a flyer titled "Green Ribbon Month."

     MOTION: Ms. Drew moved that staff draft legislation to establish a state pedestrian safety coordinating council that would include representatives from the Superintendents Association, UDOT, Public Safety, cities, counties, and MPOs to coordinate and provide guidelines and resources similar to those in the Massachusetts plan. The motion passed unanimously.
        
3.     Driver Education and Graduated Driver Licensing Issues - Mr. Christensen distributed handouts titled "Utah Teenage Driver Training Provisions," and "Teenage Driving Restrictions." He explained the restrictions, the current law, and other options. He also distributed a handout titled "Graduated Driver License - States with One or More Core Provisions," and discussed the details of the handout.

    Mr. Christensen reviewed a State Legislative Fact Sheet titled "Graduated Driver Licensing System," that was mailed to task force members prior to the meeting.
                                            
    Mr. Larry Cook, Utah CODES, distributed a handout titled "Utah Teenage (15-17) Driver Crashes, 92-96." He said one out of every seven teenagers were in a crash in 1996. He discussed the handout which included the number of drivers in crashes, 15-17 year-old driver facts, 15-17 year- old drivers with passengers, supervised 15-17 year-old drivers, and the time of day of crashes for 15- 17 year-old drivers.

    Ms. Fairclough distributed a handout titled "Graduated Licensing." She discussed the handout which included facts on how the graduated licensing systems work.

    Ms. Gail Johnson, Utah State Office of Education, spoke against lowering the age of students entering the driver education programs in schools because of the impact on older students. She spoke in support of a permit that would allow more time for teenagers to practice driving with a parent or legal guardian in the vehicle.    

     MOTION: Dr. Ronnenkamp moved that staff prepare draft legislation that included additional supervised driving hours for teenagers, and restrictions on hours when a teenager can drive.

     SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Mr. Allred moved that staff draft legislation allowing students to practice driving between the ages of 15 years and nine months to 16 years and three months, then after completing driver education, to have a provisional license to drive, except between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The night restriction would not apply to students attending activities sponsored by their own schools, to agricultural operations, and to employment-related trips. At age 16 years and nine months, a full provisional license would be issued. All passengers traveling with a driver under age 17 would be required to wear a seat belt. The motion passed unanimously.

4.    Other Task Force Business - Mr. Christensen advised task force members that all are invited to attend the Pedestrian Road Show sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration on October 15, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the U of U Sandy Campus, 9875 South 240 West, Room 120.

    Chair Montgomery announced that the next meeting of the task force will be October 13, 1998, at 1:00 p.m., in Room 403.

5.     Adjourn -
    
    MOTION: Sen. Peterson moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously at 3:44 p.m.

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