The following letter is from Mitch Tropila, the primary sponsor of SB88:
January 14, 2009
Neighborhood Council 4 members and neighbors:
On January 8th, 2009, I introduced Senate Bill 88 to the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee in Helena. This is a common-sense safety bill for our community and for our children.
To explain: We drive by schools in our communities every day. We cross the school crosswalks and we see the school speed-limit signs. But sadly, there is no definition of a school zone in existing Montana Code. If passed, Senate Bill 88 would simply add a definition of school zone to the Montana Code. The crux of the bill is as follows:
“School zone” means an area near a school beginning at the school’s front door, encompassing the campus and school property, and including the streets directly adjacent to the school property and for as many blocks surrounding the school as determined by the local authority establishing a special speed limit under 61-8-310.
If implemented into law, there will be no gray area when local law enforcement agencies are handing out speeding tickets. At present, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if convicted of exceeding the speed limit near a school zone. If SB 88 is signed into law, “near” will be changed to “in”, the gray area disappears and our children’s safety is greatly improved.
Senate Bill 88 is a safety bill that is long overdue. Please support it. I thank you for allowing me to serve you in the 61st Montana Legislature in Helena.
Sincerely,
Mitch Tropila
Senate District 12
Neighborhood Council 4 members and neighbors:
On January 8th, 2009, I introduced Senate Bill 88 to the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee in Helena. This is a common-sense safety bill for our community and for our children.
To explain: We drive by schools in our communities every day. We cross the school crosswalks and we see the school speed-limit signs. But sadly, there is no definition of a school zone in existing Montana Code. If passed, Senate Bill 88 would simply add a definition of school zone to the Montana Code. The crux of the bill is as follows:
“School zone” means an area near a school beginning at the school’s front door, encompassing the campus and school property, and including the streets directly adjacent to the school property and for as many blocks surrounding the school as determined by the local authority establishing a special speed limit under 61-8-310.
If implemented into law, there will be no gray area when local law enforcement agencies are handing out speeding tickets. At present, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if convicted of exceeding the speed limit near a school zone. If SB 88 is signed into law, “near” will be changed to “in”, the gray area disappears and our children’s safety is greatly improved.
Senate Bill 88 is a safety bill that is long overdue. Please support it. I thank you for allowing me to serve you in the 61st Montana Legislature in Helena.
Sincerely,
Mitch Tropila
2 comments:
A Memo to State Senator Mitch Tropila:
Why can't the words "when children are present" be in your SB88 bill? Common sense should rule.
We should all try to abide by the law and never exceed the speed limit. SO SIMPLY DON"T SPEED - why would we need to add when children are present?
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