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Traffic Safety Task Force

MINUTES OF THE

TRAFFIC SAFETY TASK FORCE

        
Tuesday, October 27, 1998 - 1:00 p.m. - 403 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
    Ms. Laura Drew
    Ms. Rolayne Fairclough
    Dr. Thomas Metcalf
    Ms. Linda Plouzek

    
Members Absent:
    Mr. Rod Betit
    Dr. Steve Ronnenkamp

Members Excused:
    Mr. Beau Babka
    Mr. Walter Borla
    Mr. Patrick Casaday
    Mr. David Creer
    Mr. Aaron D. Kennard
    Mr. David K. Miles
    
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 2:09 p.m.

    MOTION: Sen. Peterson moved to approve the minutes of the October 13, 1998 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

2.     Comparative Negligence For Seat Belt Use - Mr. Larsen distributed and discussed a handout titled "Seat Belt Use & Comparative Negligence Statutes."

    Mr. Steve Sullivan, Robert J. DeBry and Associates, spoke in favor of making seat belt use a primary law but expressed concern about changing the law in the area of civil liability.
        
3.     Education, Public Awareness, and Media Programs - Mr. Barnes discussed ways to utilize the media in order to increase public awareness of safety issues. He said the media is used for marketing and public relations and spoke about buying media coverage and receiving free media coverage. He showed a video with two advertisements titled "Hold on to Dear Life."

    Mr. John Keahey, Salt Lake Tribune, gave input on ways to receive attention from the written press on traffic and safety issues.
    Mr. Brian Mullahy, Channel 2 News, commented on ways to receive coverage from the electronic press. He explained the process in which stories are selected for television audiences.

    Ms. Lindsey Ferrari, I-15 Team, said the team is focused on motorists' safety and spoke about the existing programs utilized by the I-15 Team to reach the public and encourage them to slow down and increase safety. She showed a video of an advertisement titled "Slow Down," and recommended that the video be shown in the schools.

    Mr. Sterling Davis, UDOT, spoke on behalf of Mr. Miles and encouraged the task force staff to examine a booklet titled 'Read Your Road,' and find ways to get the information from the booklet to the public.

    Mayor Sandra Lloyd, Riverton City, spoke about the Salt Lake Valley Mayors' aggressive driving campaign. She showed two advertisements of the "Drive Friendly Campaign," and expressed concern that the advertisements are not being shown during prime time. She provided a letter from the Conference of Salt Lake Valley Mayors titled "Public Service Announcements _ 'Drive Friendly' Program," a copy of the television and radio spots request, and two brochures titled "Drive Friendly _ Courtesy is Contagious...Catch It!!"

     MOTION: Mr. Allred moved that the staff send a letter to the governor, signed by both chairs of the task force, requesting that he take steps to have all state agencies require seat belt use in all state cars. The motion passed unanimously.

4.    Physically Impaired Driver Issues - Mr. Larsen distributed a handout titled "Utah Statutory Selections for Impaired and Older Driver," and discussed the selected statutes.

    Mr. Bart Blackstock, Driver Licence Division, Department of Public Safety, spoke about the circumstances leading to the testing, suspension, or restriction of the driver license from older or physically impaired drivers. He also addressed the process used for selecting individuals for retesting.

    Sen. Peterson recommended that a certain age requirement be considered at which renewals must be done in person instead of through the mail.

     MOTION: Dr. Metcalf moved that staff draft legislation to end driver license renewal by mail for persons 70 years of age and over, and to protect the confidentiality of persons who report impaired drivers. The motion passed, with Rep. Arent, Rep. Harper, Ms. Drew, and Mr. Barnes, voting in opposition to the motion.

5.    Other Task Force Business - Task force members made recommendations for discussion at the final meeting of the task force on November 10, 1998.

    Chair Montgomery noted that a report of the task force actions would be presented to the Transportation Interim Committee meeting on November 18, and invited task force members to attend.

6.     Adjourn -
    
    MOTION: Sen. Peterson moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Montgomery adjourned the meeting at 3:30 p.m.

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