WASHINGTON, D. C. (Tuesday, February 6, 2018) –– As the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee (JPR) hears testimony today at 1 pm for proposed legislation related to vehicle laws and traffic safety, AAA Mid-Atlantic is weighing in:

Legislation AAA Mid-Atlantic Supports:

SB 296 – Vehicle Laws – Drunk and Drugged Driving – Subsequent Offenders – Felonies (Repeat Drunk Driving Offenders Act of 2018) is sponsored by President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller, Jr., at the request of Governor Hogan’s Administration.

This bill, if passed, will increase the penalties for those repeat impaired driving offenders, who have been previously convicted of three or more alcohol or drugged driving-related offenses. SB 296 also increases penalties for those who have been previously convicted of vehicular homicide, manslaughter, or causing a life-threatening injury by motor vehicle or vessel. A repeat offender under this law would be guilty of a felony and upon conviction would be subject to imprisonment for up to 10 years.

“Driving is a privilege and those who take that privilege lightly and put the lives of others in harm’s way deserve to be punished accordingly,” commented John B. Townsend II, Manager of Public and Government Affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic. “We are hopeful that increased penalties and more jail time could serve as a deterrent for these repeat offenders.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nationally there were 37,461 people killed in traffic crashes in 2016, an increase of 5.6% from calendar year 2015. An estimated 10,497 people (28% of total fatalities) died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.

In Maryland, 522 people were killed in traffic crashes during 2016. Of those fatalities, 148 deaths (28%) were due to crashes involving a drunk or drugged driver, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Office. 

In a recent AAA Mid-Atlantic transportation poll, 22 percent of Maryland motorists indicated that drunk or drugged driving was their number one traffic safety concern.

The auto club also supports the cross-filed bill, HB 349, sponsored by Speaker Michael E. Busch, which will be heard by the House Judiciary committee on Wednesday, February 7.

SB 445 – Motor Vehicles – Operation When Approaching Vehicle With Visual Signals, introduced by Senator Wayne Norman (D-District 35, Harford and Cecil Counties) and co-sponsored by five other senators, will expand Maryland’s current move-over law to include service vehicles with flashing lights that are parked on the shoulder performing road work or aiding disabled motorists.   

Maryland’s move-over law requires drivers approaching a vehicle (from the rear) that is stopped, standing, or parked on a highway and using certain visual signals to make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the vehicle, or to slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe. The state’s law currently applies to emergency vehicles and tow trucks, but not to service vehicles.

“AAA Mid-Atlantic recognizes the need to have service truck drivers included in move-over laws, as they face the same dangers as first responders and tow truck operators when conducting business on the side of our roadways,” said Townsend.

Motor vehicle-related incidents are consistently the leading cause of work-related fatalities in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, transportation-related incidents remained the most common fatal occupational event in 2016, accounting for 40 percent (2,083).

Legislation AAA Mid-Atlantic Opposes:

A bill that AAA Mid-Atlantic opposes every session that it is introduced is SB 439 – Vehicle Laws – Protective Headgear Requirement for Motorcycle Riders – Exception.

Passage of this bill will exempt an individual who is 21 years of age or older from wearing protective headgear, or a helmet, while operating or riding a motorcycle if the individual meets certain requirements.

“AAA opposes any legislation that will weaken Maryland’s existing traffic safety laws and put motorcyclists at a greater risk of an injury or a fatality,” commented Townsend. “Because serious head injury is common among fatally injured motorcyclists, helmet use is essential.”

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), helmets are approximately 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries. In 2016, 1,700, or 37 percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers were not wearing a helmet.

The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,772 motorcyclists in 2015 and that an additional 740 lives could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members nationwide and nearly 78,000 members in the District of Columbia.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit  https://aaa.com