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Show Yardley Reports From Utah House By Rep. James F. Yardley This week, I would like to discuss at some length the provisions and status of H.B. 142. To me, this bill will have a great impact upon all motorists who use Utah's roads especially those who abuse their driving privilege by driving under the influence of alcohol and narcotics. H.B. 142 is aimed at motorists who endanger themselves and others by driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher. A driver presumed by a peace officer to be intoxicated and upon reasonable grounds exercises judgement upon the driver, can revoke the driver's license on the spot and also request, upon arrest, that the driver submit to the chemical test which will detect the blood alcohol content of the driver. The peace officer upon revocation of the violator's license will serve the offender with notice that it will be the department's intent to suspend the operating permit of the driver. A citation or other temporary certificate will be given to the offender as temporary license with a 30-day limit. The offender will then have 30 days to request a hearing with the department of public safety to have the suspension revoked. If the conviction and suspension is not revoked, the offender's license will be suspended for a 90-day period, beginning on the 31st day after the date of arrest. Subsequent violations will evoke a suspension of 120 days, beginning on the 31st day after the arrest. The department will also charge the offender a non-revokable $25 fee, plus any fines or additional fees assessed against the driver, before the license will be reinstated. The primary purpose for these service provisions is to allow a peace officer the power and right to remove intoxicated drivers from the road immediately and subsequently prevent injury or accident to the driver or other motorists. With the allowable' level of blood alcohol content being lowered from .10 percent to .08 percent, drivers must become more responsible in monitoring their liquor consumption. Ultimately the public safety on our roads will be improved considerably. H.B. 142 has passed' from the House to the Senate. It has been assigned to the Senate's standing committee on transportation and public safety for further consideration. It has a good chance of parsing out of this committee with a favorable report. "The status of H.B.s 2 thru 5, which deal with the allowing of public employees and sheriffs a broader privilege in political activities, is uniform, with the exception of H.B. 2. H.B.s 3 thru 5 have been assigned to the Senate's Rules Committee. H.B.2, on the other hand, was recalled on February 4 from the committee on state and local affairs. I personally am in favor of these bills. The provisions in these bills restrict the employees from abusing this privilege by restricting political activities to non-working hours. These restrictions will protect the public's interest from any abuses of this privilege. I want to thank all newspapers in District 73, who afford space in their papers to run these newsletters. This allows many citizens a chance to become aware of bills and events which could affect their future. I also would like to extend my open invitation to all citizens who have concerns and questions to contact me at 533-4811. Jim |