Texas House Bill HB2814

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the designation of highway safety corridors; increasing a fine.

Impact

The implementation of HB2814 aims to enhance public safety by discouraging dangerous driving patterns in areas with a higher likelihood of traffic-related accidents and fatalities. By establishing clear indicators of high-risk zones, the bill serves to alert drivers and potentially reduce the number of incidents in those areas. The doubling of traffic fines is designed to act as a deterrent, promoting more cautious driving behaviors among motorists. This legislative change could also lead to increased revenue for the state and local jurisdictions, as more traffic violations in these designated areas could result in higher fine collections.

Summary

House Bill 2814 introduces significant amendments to the Transportation Code of Texas, specifically focusing on the designation of highway safety corridors. The bill empowers the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to identify roadways that experience a high incidence of traffic fatalities and officially mark these areas as highway safety corridors. The bill also mandates the installation of signage that notifies drivers of the corridor and states that fines for traffic violations in these areas will be doubled, thereby increasing the penalties associated with reckless driving behavior within these designated zones.

Contention

While HB2814 presents a focused initiative to improve roadway safety, it could also raise concerns among various stakeholders. Critics may argue that the doubling of fines constitutes an overreaching penal measure that disproportionately affects lower-income drivers who may struggle to pay increased fines. Furthermore, there may be questions regarding the effectiveness of such measures in actually reducing traffic fatalities, with some opponents suggesting that community education and infrastructure improvements could be more effective responses to high fatality rates. Nevertheless, supporters believe that clearly marked safety corridors and the associated financial penalties are essential tools for promoting safer driving practices.