Bill Text: DE SCR80 | 2017-2018 | 149th General Assembly | Draft

Delaware Senate Concurrent Resolution 80 (Prior Session Legislation)

Draft

Bill Title: Requesting The Department Of Transportation And The Delaware State Police Examine The Issue Of Slower Traffic In The Left Hand Lane And Report Recommendations To Address This Issue.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-07-01 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES [SCR80 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2017-SCR80-Draft.html

SPONSOR:

Sen. Townsend & Rep. Osienski

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 80

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE DELAWARE STATE POLICE EXAMINE THE ISSUE OF SLOWER TRAFFIC IN THE LEFT HAND LANE AND REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

WHEREAS, research indicates that driving 5 miles per hour slower than the surrounding traffic puts a driver at a greater risk of an accident than going 5 miles per hour faster; and

WHEREAS, a spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic has indicated that slower-moving vehicles in the left lane impede the flow of traffic, increasing the likelihood of accidents and incidents of aggressive driving; and

WHEREAS, in 2012, the 146 ^th General Assembly passed House Bill No 140, which prohibits a driver from driving below the posted speed limit in the left hand lane of a multilane roadway; and

WHEREAS, since 2015, the Delaware State Police have issued 47 citations statewide under this law; and

WHEREAS, the issue of slower traffic driving in the left hand lane continues to generate complaints from constituents and news coverage, including a recent article in Delaware News Journal on June 21, 2018; and

WHEREAS, some states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, have gone further than current Delaware law and have prohibited vehicles from using the left lane except for passing and turning.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 149th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the General Assembly requests the Department of Transportation and Delaware State Police examine the issue of slower traffic in the left hand lane and jointly report to the General Assembly by November 1, 2018, their recommendations. Recommendations should address the adoption of new traffic laws, installation of additional or different signage, and an assessment of the current level of enforcement of existing traffic laws.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report from the Department of Transportation and Delaware State Police be provided to the Secretary of the Senate and Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives for distribution to their respective members, and the Division of Research’s legislative librarian.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon passage of this Concurrent Resolution, the Secretary of the Senate send copies of this Concurrent Resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and the Colonel of the Delaware State Police.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of Transportation and Delaware State Police examine the issue of slower traffic in the left hand lane and jointly report to the General Assembly by November 1, 2018, their recommendations, if any, for action to address this issue.

Author: Senator Townsend