Transporation
Traffic Safety and Public Health: State Legislative Action, 2007
Transportation Series, No. 32
December 2007
By Melissa A. Savage, Matt Sundeen, and Anne Teigen
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Summary
This report summarizes the many bills regarding traffic safety issues that were considered by state legislatures during the 2007 legislative sessions. It also provides information about current traffic safety issues.
Occupant Protection. In 2007, state legislators debated nearly 125 bills regarding occupant protection. Many of these bills would have strengthened current seat belt laws by making them primary enforcement laws. Other bills up for consideration would have made changes to current child passenger protection laws and passenger restrictions for riding in pickup truck cargo areas.
Impaired Driving Issues. During the 2007 state legislative sessions, 173 bills were introduced regarding a variety of impaired driving issues. Many states considered ways to stop repeat and high BAC drunk drivers through increased fines and penalties. Several states considered legislation relating to ignition interlock devices.
Distracted Driving. In 2007, 44 states considered 130 bills relating to driver distraction, including use of cell phones and other portable devices that potentially could distract motor vehicle drivers. Twelve states passed new distracted driving laws.
Driver’s Licensing. More than 200 bills dealing with driver’s licensing were debated by state legislatures in 2007. States considered ways to make licensing procedures more secure, keep teen and older drivers safe, and keep drivers with suspended licenses off the roads. Many state lawmakers focused on responding to the REAL ID Act passed by Congress in 2005.
Aggressive Driving. In 2007, 12 states introduced bills aimed at defining aggressive driving and establishing fines and penalties associated with the crime. Nevada and Utah amended their laws related to aggressive driving in 2007.
Introduction
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 2 and 34. In 2006, 42,642 people were killed and more than 2.6 million were injured in traffic crashes. Traffic safety is an important public health issue for many people, including state legislators. In 2007, state legislators debated more than 900 traffic safety proposals. These bills focused on ways to keep drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users safe. Some focused on seat belt use, while others proposed possible solutions to deal with speeders and repeat drunk drivers. This 10th annual report summarizes the traffic safety legislation considered during 2007.
Issues examined in this report include occupant protection, distracted driving, driver licensing, impaired driving, aggressive driving, speed limits, motorcycle helmets, automated enforcement, school bus safety, and pedestrian and bicycle safety. Tables and charts detailing state traffic safety laws are included, along with contacts and links for further information (see Appendix A for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] regional office contact information). All bills discussed in this report can be found in the NCSL–NHTSA Traffic Safety Legislative Tracking Database at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncsl.
Contents
- Summary
- Introduction
- Occupant Protection
- Impaired Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Drivers Licensing
- Aggressive Driving
- Speed Limits
- Automated Enforcement
- Motorcycle Safety
- School Bus Safety
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
- Links for More Information
- Appendices
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A. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Regional Offices
B. State Safety Belt Use Laws
C. State Laws on Child Restraint Use
D. Children not Covered by Safety Belt or Child Restraint Laws
E. Restrictions on Riding in Cargo Areas of Pickup Trucks
F. Mobile Phone Use While Driving Laws
G. Penalties by State for Driving While Revoked, Suspended or Otherwise Unlicensed
H. Licensing Procedures for Older Drivers
I. Graduated Licensing Laws
J. State Aggressive Driving Laws
K. State Maximum Posted Speed Limit Laws
L. State Policies Regarding Use of Traffic Cameras
M. Motorcycle Helmet Use Requirements
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