SB 189

This bill expands the list of traffic violations for which the Department of

Transportation must suspend a violator's operating privilege and require attendance

at a vehicle right-of-way course, and increases the penalties for certain offenses.

Current law specifies the required method of operation of a motor vehicle in all

of the following circumstances:

1. Driving on a roadway.

2. Meeting vehicles passing in opposite directions.

3. Overtaking and passing another vehicle.

4. Facing a stop sign or traffic control signal.

5. Proceeding through an intersection.

6. Turning at an intersection.

7. Yielding to a pedestrian, bicycle, or electric mobility device in a crosswalk.

8. Backing.

9. Entering the roadway from an alley or a parked position.

Under current law, a person who violates the requirements applicable in these

circumstances may be subject to a forfeiture of between $20 and $300, depending on

the violation. For certain right-of-way violations, a court may suspend a person's

operating privilege for up to one year, and DOT is required to order the person to

attend a vehicle right-of-way course. DOT may not reinstate a person's operating

privilege unless the person has completed the required course.

Under this bill, if a person has committed any of the aforementioned violations

and the violation results in great bodily harm or death to another, the person must

forfeit $500 if great bodily harm results, and $1,000 if death results. In addition,

DOT must require attendance at the vehicle right-of-way course and suspend the

person's operating privilege. This DOT suspension must be for a period of three

months if the offense resulted in great bodily harm to another, and nine months if

the offense resulted in the death of another. Under this bill, if a person has

committed any of the aforementioned violations and the violation does not result in

great bodily harm or death to another, DOT must require attendance at the vehicle

right-of-way course. If the person fails to complete the course within six months,

DOT must suspend the person's operating privilege until the person completes the

course, but the period of the suspension may not exceed five years.