HB 1080 -- FAILURE TO YIELD THE RIGHT-OF-WAY

SPONSOR:  Pratt

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Transportation and Motor Vehicles by a vote of 19 to 0 with 1
present.

This bill, which will be known as Clutch's Law, imposes an
additional fine and driver's license suspension on any person
failing to yield the right-of-way when the violation results in
physical injury, serious physical injury, or the death of a
person.  The additional fines collected will be credited to the
Motorcycle Safety Trust Fund.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on General Revenue Fund in FY 2005, FY
2006, and FY 2007.  Estimated Income on Other State Funds of
$1,803,907 to $4,349,657 in FY 2005, $2,219,702 to $5,274,602 in
FY 2006, and $2,217,094 to $5,271,994 in FY 2007.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that right-of-way laws do not take
into account the considerable vulnerability of motorcyclists,
bicyclists, and pedestrians.  Consequently, the penalty for a
right-of-way violator who damages a car is generally the same as
for a violation which causes physical injury or death.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Pratt; American
Motorcyclist Association; Freedom of Road Riders; and Gordon
Becton.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Robert Triplett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:14 am