BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3907

By: Dukes

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Several studies have noted that there is a higher occurrence of accidents on congested roadways than on uncongested roadways. Interested parties contend that the most common type of multi-vehicle crash on a freeway facility is the rear-end collision, which typically results from traffic traveling at normal highway speed encountering stopped traffic on the main lanes or ramps without adequate warning of the stalled traffic. H.B. 3907 seeks to address this issue by providing for the use of vehicle hazard lights.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3907 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the operator of the last vehicle in a line of traffic stopped on a roadway with a speed limit of at least 55 miles per hour to display the vehicle's hazard lamps to warn approaching vehicles that traffic is stopped.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.