The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances

1998 UNIFORM VEHICLE CODE SUPPLEMENT NOW IN PRINT

ACTIONS TAKEN AT 97 ANNUAL MEETING CODIFIED

The first print supplement to the National Committee’s major product, the Uniform Vehicle Code, is now printed and available from the NCUTLO ClearingHouse. The supplement, the first since the most recent version was published in 1992, includes all changes made and approved at the Committee’s Annual Meeting in October, 1997.

Those changes include, for the first time, the addition of NCUTLO’s model laws on graduated licensing, child restraint use and safety belt use as an actual part of the UVC. Past practice had been to wait until such laws had been passed and enacted for a period of time in several states before their inclusion; the addition of the model language in this new supplement marks an aggressive new approach taken by NCUTLO in its efforts to improve both services and information to states, and increase uniformity by providing model law well before states begin the legislative process.

The 25-page supplement also includes changes made to the critical "Rules of the Road" section (Chapter 11) as identified by last year’s Task Force on Chapter 11 revisions. While by no means comprehensive, this supplement marks the beginning of a comprehensive review and revision of the Uniform Vehicle Code which will eventually lead to the production of an entire new volume.

National Committee members approved the changes in principle at the October 1997 Annual Meeting, and the actual drafting was done by consultants hired by the National Committee. The supplement will be sent to all members of the National Committee free of charge and will be included in all orders for the Uniform Vehicle Code received in 1998 and beyond.

While much work remains to be done to complete a comprehensive review of the Uniform Vehicle Code, this new supplement marks the newest in a growing list of useful and much-needed products created by the new NCUTLO. For individual copies of the new supplement in addition to the one being sent to members, please contact Leila Osina at the National Committee’s Information ClearingHouse. Individuals copies will be available for $5.00, plus $2.00 shipping and handling to all members, and $10.00 for nonmembers.

California, Washington join the New NCUTLO

The National Committee is particularly pleased to announce the addition of two new member states in 1998 - California and Washington state. Both states are tremendously active in the traffic safety arena, and their addition to NCUTLO’s state constituency is a major step forward in the new NCUTLO’s plan to serve all states’ traffic safety needs. (Con’t on Page 2)

SURVEY, NCUTLO MEMBERSHIP TO DECIDE 1998 TASK FORCES

The results of last issue’s survey, combined with the needs of the states as determined by the NCUTLO Board of Directors, and member states and sponsors are narrowing in on those Task Forces to be convened in 1998. Thanks to all who took the time to make their voices heard in our December survey request; below is a summary of the results. While there are a large number of Task Forces which could be effectively impaneled and managed by the new NCUTLO, the final choice of which ones to move forward with will be based on input from NCUTLO Board members, funding sources and the critical issues in traffic safety as they are perceived at the time of the decision. Final consideration is expected to take place when the NCUTLO Board of Directors meets in March, 1998.

Here is the list of Task Force ideas which were considered important by survey responders, in the order of importance as determined by individual number of votes:

Aggressive driving

Driver fatigue

Bicycle safety & general

Overweight Trucks

Older driver issues

Traffic Records Upgrade

Diversion programs

Definition of "vehicle"

Grade crossing issues

Work zone safety

Other - Pedestrian

Member services considered most popular were (again in order of number of votes):

"Rules of the Road - Rated" (local code comparison)

Digest of youth-related licensing laws

State code database - searchable

State code comparison to UVC

Digest of Alcohol laws

CA, WA JOIN NCUTLO (con’t from Page 1)

In both cases, the new member states were once members on the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances, and have now chosen to rejoin. Washington’s Steve Lind, Program Director of the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission, cited "...the well thought out and aggressive approach the NCUTLO is taking in the area of traffic safety..." as its reason for considering rejoining.

We welcome our new state members and pledge our commitment to listening to their needs!!

NCUTLO BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO MEET MARCH 26

The Board of Directors of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances will meet March 26, 1998, at the offices of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The regularly scheduled Board meeting will review financial statements, discuss and finalize 1998 Task Force plans, and discuss future membership recruitment and fund raising for the National Committee’s program year. In addition, the Board will review the 1998 Supplement to the Uniform Vehicle Code just completed, as well as discuss potential new roles the National Committee might play in the implementation of strategic highway safety plans of the Federal Highway Administration and other NCUTLO partner members.

Suggestions for inclusion on the NCUTLO agenda are welcome; fax to Leila Osina at 540/465-5383 or email to: ncutloceo@rica.net.

NCUTLO CLEARINGHOUSE HAS CHANGED ITS FAX AND E-MAIL ADDRESS

THE NEW FAX NUMBER IS: 540/465-5383

THE NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS IS: ncutloceo@rica.net

PLEASE CHANGE YOUR RECORDS NOW!!!!!

BRIEFLY NOTED.....

AIR BAG SAFETY CAMPAIGN SURVEY INDICATES 86% OF RESPONDENTS HAVE HEARD "CHILDREN IN THE BACK" WARNING

The Air Bag Safety Campaign has released their survey results which indicate an impressive 86% of those polled had heard a specific warning not to put children 12 or younger in the front seat of a vehicle. While this is good news, there remains 13% of the population who indicated that they had not heard such a specific warning. Of those indicating they had NOT heard such a warning, the top groups were: Hispanic - 25%; African-American - 22%; Under $20,000 income - 21%, Renters - 20% and Not registered to Vote - 19%.

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD RELEASES ROADSIDE SAFETY BROCHURE

Developed as part of TRB’s Strategic Plan for Roadside Safety, the new brochure describes the size of the roadside safety problem, key steps in addressing it, and successful implementation strategies. The brochure is an excerpt of a report prepared under NCHRP Project 17-13, "Strategic Plan for Improving Roadside Safety. Copies of the 8-page, full-color brochure can be obtained by contacting Kathryn Harper at (202) 857-1200.

NETS ANNOUNCES "DRIVE SAFELY AT WORK" WEEK

NETS, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety announced its "Drive Safely at Work" Week, this year scheduled for April 20-24, 1998. The goal of the campaign is to save 800 lives and three billion dollars during the week by encouraging drivers to follow some basic traffic safety rules. NETS is looking for partner participants; you can send for a "Drive Safely at Work" Tool Kit, which contains Fact Sheets. newsletter articles, posters and camera-ready art to make the participation of your organization easier. For more information or to send for the Tool Kit, please call NETS National, at 1888-221-0045.