HB 1406 -- DRUNK DRIVING MEMORIAL SIGN PROGRAM

SPONSOR:  Deeken

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Transportation by a vote of 10 to 0.

This bill establishes David's Law which requires the Department
of Transportation to establish and administer a drunk driving
memorial sign program.  The department must adopt, by rules and
regulations, program guidelines for the application and placement
of signs including, but not limited to, the sign application and
qualification process, a procedure for the dedication of signs,
and a procedure for the replacement or restoration of any signs
that are damaged or stolen.

Any person may apply to the department to sponsor a drunk driving
victim memorial sign in memory of an immediate family member who
died as a result of a motor vehicle accident caused by a person
who was shown to have been operating a motor vehicle in violation
of an alcohol-related traffic law at the time of the accident.  A
person who is not a member of the victim's immediate family may
also make a request if he or she submits the written consent of a
member of the victim's immediate family.  The department will
charge the sponsoring party a fee to cover the department's cost
in designing, constructing, erecting, and maintaining the sign.
Signs will remain in place for 10 years and may be renewed for
another 10 years after payment of the appropriate maintenance
fees.

The signs developed by the department will feature the words
"Drunk Driving Victim!", the initials of the deceased victim, the
month and year in which the victim was killed, and the phrase
"Who's Next?".

All private roadside memorials or markers commemorating the death
of a drunk driving victim are prohibited.  No person, other than
a department employee or designee, may erect a drunk driving
victim memorial sign.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2009, FY 2010, and
FY 2011.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say the bill will allow families to
recognize their lost family members and at the same time raise
awareness of the detrimental effects of drinking and driving.
This will eliminate make-shift markers and allow the Department
of Transportation to better control the highway right-of-way.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Deeken; Gail Rehme;
Mike Boland, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers; and Carol
Giedinghagen.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say that the wording on
the sign may not be adequate.

Testifying on the bill was John Britton.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:10 pm