_____________ joint resolution NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A joint resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the state of montana requesting an interim study of ways to improve highway safety; and requiring that the final results of the study be reported to the 68th legislature.

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of Montana to have the ability to travel safely on the streets and highways of Montana; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, Montana had an average of 17.2 car accident deaths for each 100,000 people, making Montana's roads and highways some of the deadliest in the country; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, 86% of the motor vehicle crash deaths occurred on rural roads and highways; and

WHEREAS, there were 68 fatalities and serious injuries in Montana involving large vehicles in 2018. Large vehicles are trucks or buses requiring a commercial vehicle license; and

WHEREAS, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, "the unsafe actions of automobile drivers are a contributing factor in about 70% of the fatal crashes involving trucks. More public awareness of how to share the road safely with large trucks is needed"; and

WHEREAS, in 2018, nearly 17% of all roadway fatalities in Montana were Native Americans. Native Americans make up approximately 7% of Montana's population, and are overrepresented by comprising 15% to 22% of all traffic fatalities in the last 10 years; and

WHEREAS, the financial loss to the citizens of the State of Montana associated with motor vehicle crashes amounted to $262 million in 2018.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to conduct a study on ways to improve highway safety in order to reduce highway motor vehicle accidents, deaths, and injuries, and property damage resulting from highway motor vehicle accidents.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study focus on highways in Montana where there is a greater fatality rate, including U.S. Highway 212 in southeastern Montana.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study include input from appropriate stakeholders, including but not limited to the Department of Transportation, the Department of Justice's Motor Vehicle Division, the Montana Highway Patrol, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the eight federally recognized tribal governments in Montana, and other stakeholders as appropriate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2022.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions, comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 68th Legislature.