Texas House Bill HB3953

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to motor vehicle operation and accidents.

Impact

The proposed changes to the Transportation Code, particularly the amendment to Section 550.022, emphasize the need for drivers to move their vehicles to designated investigation sites whenever it's safe to do so. This shift is expected to reduce traffic congestion caused by accidents and improve overall road safety. Additionally, the amendment of Section 550.062 sets a higher threshold for law enforcement to file written accident reports, now requiring reports only for accidents resulting in damage of $5,000 or more, which reflects an adjustment in regulatory focus towards more severe incidents.

Summary

House Bill 3953 seeks to amend various sections of the Transportation Code concerning the operation and reporting of motor vehicle accidents. It aims to streamline accident reporting processes and improve traffic management around accidents by designating appropriate sites for accident investigations. The bill provides specific instructions for vehicle operators involved in accidents to move their vehicles to minimize interference with traffic flow.

Contention

There may be concerns surrounding the amendments, particularly regarding the $5,000 damage threshold for filing reports. Critics might argue that this could lead to underreporting of accidents, particularly those with less visible damage but significant implications for safety or liability. The policy shift could also lead to questions about how local enforcement will adapt to these new reporting requirements, especially in areas with higher accident rates or unique road types.