ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
driver licenses; accidents;
medical conditions
Suspends a person’s driver
license when that person’s medical condition may have contributed to a traffic
accident resulting in serious injury or death until the medical advisory board
determines that the person is capable of safely operating a motor vehicle. According to the Arizona Department of
Transportation (ADOT), this legislation will result in a one-time programming
cost of $9,300 funded from the state highway fund.
On April 12, 2001, Edward
Olbrecht and his family were taking an evening walk, when a car struck Mr.
Olbrecht from behind, killing him instantly.
The driver was unaware a pedestrian was struck because the driver
suffered a diabetic attack. Today, the
driver retains the privilege to drive.
Current law allows ADOT to
require a person to submit to a medical examination when ADOT receives
information that the person may be medically, psychologically or physically
unable to safely operate a motor vehicle.
If the medical examination determines the person cannot safely operate a
motor vehicle, ADOT can suspend or revoke the person’s driver license.
S.B. 1184 requires ADOT to
immediately suspend the driver license of a person whose medical condition is
believed by law enforcement to have contributed to a traffic accident resulting
in serious injury or death. ADOT requires the person to submit to a medical
examination, which cannot be performed by the person’s personal physician. The ADOT medical advisory board (board)
makes the determination of the person’s ability to safely operate a motor
vehicle, at which time the person’s driving privilege may be reinstated.
The Motor Vehicle Division
estimates that there will be a one-time programming cost of $9,300 from the
operating budget of the state highway fund.
1. Requires ADOT to immediately suspend the driver license of a person when a law enforcement officer suspects the person’s medical condition may have contributed to a traffic accident resulting in serious injury or death. Specifies the driver license remains suspended until the board determines the person is capable of safely operating a motor vehicle.
2. Requires the board to determine, through a medical examination, if a driver whose medical condition may have contributed to a traffic accident is capable of safely operating a motor vehicle.
3. Precludes the medical examination from being performed by the person’s personal physician.
4. Designates this act as “Olbrecht’s Law.”
5. Makes technical and conforming changes.
6. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 5, 2002