September 11, 2003 - Introduced by Representatives Ainsworth, Bies, Hines and
Owens. Referred to Committee on Highway Safety.

AB505,1,6 1An Act to amend 345.60 (1) and (2), 346.17 (2), 346.22 (1) (a), 346.22 (2), 346.22
2(3), 346.30 (1) (b) 1., 346.30 (2), 346.30 (4), 346.36 (1), 346.43 (1) (b) 1., 346.49
3(2m) (a), 346.60 (2) (a), 346.60 (2) (b) and 346.60 (3); and to create 38.04 (4) (e)
43., 115.28 (11) (c), 343.30 (2r), 343.61 (6) (c) and 345.60 (4) of the statutes;
5relating to: committing 3 or more specified traffic offenses within a single
6course of conduct, driver education instruction, and providing a penalty.

Current law prescribes specific penalties for violations of the rules of the road,
which govern the operation of vehicles on public highways. Penalties vary depending
on the severity of the offense, the consequences of the violation, and the number of
previous violations. Penalties include fines and civil monetary penalties; terms of
imprisonment; suspension or revocation of a motor vehicle operating privilege;
required attendance at a course of instruction in traffic safety or defensive driving
or a similar course or at driver improvement counseling; or certain combinations of
these penalties.

This bill creates a penalty enhancer for persons convicted of violating three or
more specified traffic offenses within a single course of conduct. In addition to any
penalty imposed for the distinct offenses, a person who violates three or more of the
following offenses during a single course of conduct will be required to attend a traffic
safety school and will have his or her operating privilege suspended:

1. Disregarding a traffic control signal or flashing red or yellow lights.

2. Following another vehicle too closely.

3. Violating the rules of right-of-way, including failure to yield the
right-of-way to an emergency vehicle, funeral procession, military convoy, highway
maintenance or construction workers whose presence is indicated by flagmen or
warning signs, or a pedestrian or bicyclist crossing at an intersection or crosswalk.

4. Disregarding a signal to stop at a railroad crossing.

5. Violating a maximum speed limit.

6. Overtaking or passing a vehicle in an unsafe or prohibited manner.

7. Turning or changing lanes in a vehicle without giving the appropriate signal
for at least 100 feet.

The period of suspension of operating privilege is the shorter of six months or
until successful completion of traffic safety school or, if the person has had his or her
operating privilege suspended for a similar course of conduct within the preceding
24 months, the longer of one year or until successful completion of traffic safety
school.

Current law requires all driver education courses offered by school districts,
county children with disabilities education boards, technical college districts, and
driver schools to acquaint each student with the hazards posed by farm machinery
and animals on highways and by railroad grade crossings and to provide instruction
in safely dealing with such hazards. Driver education courses must also include at
least 30 minutes of instruction relating to organ and tissue donation and organ and
tissue donation procedures.