DRIVER TRAINING ON SAFETY FOR BICYCLISTS AND OTHER VULNERABLE ROADWAY USERS
House Bill 4198 as introduced
Sponsor: Rep. Julie Alexander
Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Complete to 10-30-17
SUMMARY:
House Bill 4198 would amend the Driver Education Provider and Instructor Act to require segment 1 driver education to include at least one hour of classroom instruction on laws pertaining to bicycles, motorcycles, and other vulnerable roadway users, including pedestrians.
Current law requires that a segment 1 curriculum (the initial teen driver education course) include classroom instruction on laws that pertain to bicycles and motorcycles. HB 4198 would add instruction on laws regarding “other vulnerable roadway users, including pedestrians,” and mandate that this component of classroom instruction be at least 1 hour of the 24 hours of classroom instruction required for the segment 1 curriculum.
HB 4198 would also require “additional curriculum” on laws that pertain to awareness of bicycles, motorcycles, and other vulnerable roadway users, including laws on yielding the right-of-way, traveling at a safe and reasonable speed for conditions, ensuring a safe distance, and distracted driving.
The bill would take effect 90 days after being enacted into law.
MCL 256.657
FISCAL IMPACT:
House Bill 4198 would result in an undetermined increase in administrative costs to the Department of State primarily due to the one-hour minimum time requirement for the added training. The bill would have no apparent impact on local units of government.
Fiscal Analyst: Michael Cnossen
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.