Phoenix, Ariz., February 2, 2009. The 2009 session of the Arizona State Legislature is underway and with it comes a new opportunity to enact important laws that will save lives and improve transportation in the state.
As the leading advocate for the motoring public, AAA Arizona is closely monitoring House and Senate bills that that would affect transportation if passed, and is maintaining a Web site to track the weekly progress and the auto club’s position on the bills.
“This year is a new chance to make some positive changes on Arizona’s roadways,” said Linda Gorman, director of public affairs for AAA Arizona. “We’ve made great strides in improving road safety in Arizona, but there is still more to do. Several of the transportation bills that have been introduced to this Legislature have the potential to make our roads safer and save lives.”
There are two bills that have been introduced this session that the auto club considers to be a top priority. The first, HB2002: The Roadway Assistance Safety Act, would require motorists to “move over” a lane of traffic, if safe, when a tow truck is assisting a stranded motorist on the side of the road. The second, SB1050, would close the loophole in Arizona’s current child passenger safety law as it would require children older than 5 years of age but younger than 9 and shorter than 4’9” to be secured in a booster seat when riding in a motor vehicle. Arizona is currently one of six states without a booster seat law, which would prevent thousands of injuries and fatalities annually.
Arizona also continues to fall behind in its lack of having a primary seat belt law, which would allow law enforcement officials to protect unbuckled children and adults alike, without having another cause to pull over vehicles.
The chart below is a sample of a few of the AAA Arizona is supporting this legislative session, in addition to HB 2002 and SB 1050:
BILL/TITLE |
DESCRIPTION |
HB2168: Photo enforcement; highways; DPS study |
As introduced, before the installation of a photo enforcement system on any state highway, the Departments of Public Safety and Transportation must conduct a study to determine if the location of the device is necessary to ensure public safety. The study will determine if alterations in speed, signage,
enforcement strategy or the design of the roadway are sufficient to improve public safety, and whether engineering or enforcement alternatives that are most cost effective are available. |
HB2211: Seat belts; school buses |
As introduced, requires each school bus to be equipped with lap belts and requires each passenger to be properly restrained while the bus is in motion. Stipulates penalties, requirements for police officers for violation and prohibitions on the use of violation information by insurers. |
HB2297: Pricing; abnormal market disruptions; emergencies |
As introduced, prohibits unconscionable pricing or hoarding of essential goods or services during a declaration of a state of emergency by the President of the US or the Governor, or on a finding of an abnormal market disruption by a state court of general jurisdiction. Violations are a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500 per incident for a person or $20,000 for a business. |
HB2351: Covered loads; commercial vehicles |
As introduced, requires vehicles with a declared gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds to have the load safely covered. Exempts vehicles carrying agricultural or forage products, and vehicles that drop sand or water for the purposes of traction or cleaning or maintaining the roadway. Requires owners and operators of such vehicles to ensure the load is properly covered. Establishes civil penalties for violations. |
SB1066: Racing on highways |
As introduced, increases the "look back window" for a second or subsequent violation of racing on a street or highway from 24 months to 48 months. Increases the mandatory jail time for a second or subsequent offense from 10 days to 30 days. Increases the fines for first and subsequent violations. If convicted, requires the courts to require the surrender of driving privileges for 90 days.
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AAA Arizona is opposed to proposed bills including HB2124, which would limit photo enforcement programs to violations that include red light running and excessive speed, and HB2165, which would impose a six-cent per gallon tax on gasoline to be used for the state’s General Fund.
To learn about additional transportation bills, weekly updates on legislative action and AAA Arizona’s position on proposed legislation, visit AAA Arizona’s Legislative web page at www.az.aaa.com/news/legislativenews.htm.
To see how Arizona’s traffic safety laws compare to other states, visit AAA’s 2009 State of the State’s report at www.az.aaa.com/news/sos09poster_final.pdf.
AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to nearly 800,000 Arizona members. Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists. Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com.
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