BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2214

By: Farrar

Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A traffic circle, also known as a roundabout, is an intersection with a circular shape and a central island.  Traffic is only allowed to go in one direction around the island. By design, the traffic circle may lead to confusion as to whether the driver of the vehicle entering the circle or the driver of the vehicle already in the circle has the right-of-way.  

The purpose of H.B. 2214 is to require that the proper procedure for approaching, driving through, and yielding the right-of-way at traffic circles be included in the driver education curriculum and driving safety course. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of education in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2214 amends the Education Code to require the commissioner of education by rule to require that information relating to the proper procedure for approaching, driving through, and yielding the right-of-way at a traffic circle be included in the curriculum of each driver education and driving safety course. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to include that information relating to the proper procedure for the use of traffic circles in any edition of the Texas driver's handbook published after the department exhausts the supply of the handbook that the department had on September 1, 2009.  The bill requires the commissioner to consult with the department in developing rules relating to the proper procedure for the use of traffic circles.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.