| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
|
|
|
relating to the duty imposed on the operator of a motor vehicle that |
|
|
|
|
|
strikes a structure adjacent to a highway. |
|
|
|
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
|
|
|
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 550.025, Transportation |
|
|
|
|
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
Sec. 550.025. DUTY ON STRIKING STRUCTURE, FIXTURE, OR |
|
|
|
|
|
HIGHWAY LANDSCAPING. |
|
|
|
|
|
SECTION 2. Section 550.025(a), Transportation Code, is |
|
|
|
|
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident |
|
|
|
|
|
resulting only in damage to a structure adjacent to a highway or a |
|
|
|
|
|
fixture or landscaping legally on or adjacent to a highway shall: |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) take reasonable steps to locate and notify the |
|
|
|
|
|
owner or person in charge of the property of the accident and of the |
|
|
|
|
|
operator's name and address and the registration number of the |
|
|
|
|
|
vehicle the operator was driving; |
|
|
|
|
|
(2) if requested and available, show the operator's |
|
|
|
|
|
driver's license to the owner or person in charge of the property; |
|
|
|
|
|
and |
|
|
|
|
|
(3) report the accident if required by Section |
|
|
|
|
|
550.061. |
|
|
|
|
|
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
|
|
|
|
|
in connection with a motor vehicle accident that occurs on or after |
|
|
|
|
|
the effective date of this Act. A motor vehicle accident that |
|
|
|
|
|
occurred before the effective date of this Act is governed by the |
|
|
|
|
|
law in effect on the date the accident occurred, and the former law |
|
|
|
|
|
is continued in effect for that purpose. |
|
|
|
|
|
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |