DRIVER SAFETY COURSE INSC. DISCOUNT S.B. 1395 & H.B. 5661:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 1395 (as introduced 9-5-06)
House Bill 5661 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Senator Jud Gilbert, II (S.B. 1395)
Representative Mike Nofs (H.B. 5661)
Senate Committee: Transportation
House Committee: Transportation (H.B. 5661)
Date Completed: 9-8-06
CONTENT
Senate Bill 1395 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to require the Secretary of State (SOS) to certify a traffic accident prevention driver safety course that met specified criteria.
House Bill 5661 would amend the Insurance Code to allow an automobile insurer to offer a premium discount to insureds who were at least 50 years old and successfully completed such a course.
Senate Bill 1395 is tie-barred to House Bill 5661. House Bill 5661 is tie-barred to House Bill 5663, which is identical to Senate Bill 1395. The bills are described below in further detail.
Senate Bill 1395
The bill would require the Secretary of State to certify a traffic accident prevention driver safety course if the SOS determined that it met certain criteria. An initial course would have to include at least eight hours of classroom instruction taught by a program certified instructor. A refresher course would have to include at least four hours of classroom instruction taught by an instructor certified by the program.
A course also would have to include instruction in all of the following areas:
-- The effects of aging on driving behavior.
-- The shapes, colors, and types of road signs.
-- The effects of alcohol and other drugs, including medication, on older drivers.
-- Laws relating to the proper use of a motor vehicle and safe driving behavior.
-- Traffic crash avoidance and prevention measures.
-- The benefits and proper use of motor vehicle occupant protection systems.
-- Major driving hazards and risk factors associated with traffic crash prevention.
-- Interaction with other highway users such as emergency vehicles, trucks, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Additionally, upon successful completion, a course would have to provide a certificate of completion that could be used in applying for an automobile insurance premium discount (which House Bill 5661 would allow).
House Bill 5661
Under the bill, an automobile insurer could offer a premium discount to an insured at least 50 years old who successfully completed a certified traffic accident prevention driver safety course (notwithstanding provisions prescribing the factors upon which classifications established for automobile insurance may be based). An insurer could provide the discount for three years after successful completion of an initial or refresher course.
Proposed MCL 257.310f (S.B. 1395) Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
Proposed MCL 500.2111a (H.B. 5661)
FISCAL IMPACT
Senate Bill 1395
There would be an indeterminate cost to the Secretary of State to certify traffic accident prevention safety courses as prescribed under the bill. However, the number of courses to be certified, and the exact process to certify a course, is unknown; therefore, the potential cost is indeterminate.
House Bill 5661
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco
Elizabeth Pratt
Maria Tyszkiewicz
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb1395&hb5661/0506