Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Senate moves forward on traffic-code changes; debate over speed limits and careless-driving language
Summary
Senate discussion of first substitute SB 17 focused on lane-flow rules, following distances, raising certain statutory maximum speeds and a new careless-driving definition that could enhance penalties when distractions coincide with moving violations; sponsors cite traffic-flow and safety studies, critics warn about unintended enforcement consequences.
SALT LAKE CITY — Lawmakers spent considerable floor time debating a first substitute to Senate Bill 17, a package of traffic-code amendments that would change maximum statutory speed limits in some cases and create a broadened careless-driving provision tying distracted conduct to enhanced penalties.
Senator Jenkins, presenting the bill, said the measure aims to improve traffic flow and safety by clarifying that a vehicle may not impede the flow in the left lane and by…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
