Texas House Bill HB3990

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the report of right-angle collisions of vehicles.

Impact

The bill's provisions are expected to significantly impact state transportation laws by instituting a structured reporting mechanism for right-angle collisions. Governments that receive 10 or more reports of such collisions within a year at the same intersection will be obligated to conduct a traffic study. This requirement aims to improve safety protocols and possibly enhance traffic control measures at these problematic locations, fostering a more thorough understanding of traffic dynamics that can lead to serious accidents.

Summary

House Bill 3990 aims to enhance traffic safety by addressing the reporting of right-angle vehicle collisions. Specifically, it mandates that law enforcement officers file a written report with both the Texas Department of Transportation and the local municipal police department whenever such a collision occurs at an uncontrolled intersection involving state highway systems. This legislative measure is designed to collect substantial data on traffic incidents to identify safety concerns at critical intersections.

Contention

While this bill is largely focused on improving public safety, there might be concerns regarding the confidentiality of the reported data. The bill stipulates that the information collected will be confidential and not admissible in court, which could lead to debates surrounding accountability and transparency in governmental oversight. Additionally, municipalities may express apprehension about the resources required to perform mandated traffic studies, particularly in areas with limited budgets. Nonetheless, the overarching objective is to bolster traffic safety, which is a public priority.