Bill Text: TX SB47 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to a study concerning enforcement of following distance laws in this state.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-01-26 - Referred to Transportation [SB47 Detail]
Download: Texas-2015-SB47-Introduced.html
84R1269 JRR-F | ||
By: Zaffirini | S.B. No. 47 |
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relating to a study concerning enforcement of following distance | ||
laws in this state. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by | ||
adding Subchapter Z to read as follows: | ||
SUBCHAPTER Z. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | ||
Sec. 411.951. STUDY AND REPORT ON FOLLOWING DISTANCE | ||
ENFORCEMENT. (a) The department shall conduct a study of the | ||
incidence of, and costs associated with, drivers' failure to | ||
maintain safe following distance as required by Section 545.062, | ||
Transportation Code. At a minimum, the study must: | ||
(1) determine whether current enforcement methods | ||
adequately deter violations of Section 545.062, Transportation | ||
Code; and | ||
(2) make recommendations concerning ways to enhance | ||
enforcement methods, if the department determines that current | ||
enforcement methods are inadequate. | ||
(b) In conducting the study described by Subsection (a), the | ||
department may consider the use of technologies such as laser, | ||
radar, or other electronic or mechanical devices that would enable | ||
peace officers to measure the distance between two or more motor | ||
vehicles in motion. | ||
(c) Not later than January 15, 2017, the department shall | ||
submit a report on the results of the study conducted under this | ||
section to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of | ||
representatives, and the presiding officer of each standing | ||
committee of the legislature with jurisdiction over transportation | ||
matters. The report must: | ||
(1) describe the impact that the recommendations made | ||
under Subsection (a)(2), if any, have, or are predicted to have, on | ||
the incidence of unsafe following distance in this state; and | ||
(2) include recommendations for proposed legislation | ||
appropriate to regulate or mitigate the use of the technologies | ||
described by Subsection (b), if the recommendations made under | ||
Subsection (a)(2) include the use of technologies described by | ||
Subsection (b). | ||
(d) This section expires August 31, 2017. | ||
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives | ||
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as | ||
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this | ||
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this | ||
Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |