Legislature committees consider several driving-related bills

CARSON CITY — Moped drivers may end up needing to wear helmets. Drivers may have to be more careful when driving around emergency vehicles.

And permit-holders who are learning to ride a motorcycle may find the state putting a stricter deadline in place for them to get training and a license instead of relying on a permit indefinitely.

Transportation committees in the Legislature heard bills addressing a number of safety and driving-related issues on Thursday.

Here’s a rundown:

Moped helmets: Moped and scooter drivers and passengers may have to start wearing helmets. The Assembly Transportation Committee heard Senate Bill 426 on Thursday.

Moped drivers aren’t required to have insurance in Nevada, driving up costs to everyone if uninsured drivers get into serious accidents.

“When they crash, they go to UMC and they cost us a ton of money,” said Sen. Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas, who supports the bill. “I think it should be their responsibility at the very least to have a helmet on.”

Nevada had 14 moped deaths in 2016, up from six in 2015. The committee didn’t take action Thursday on the bill. The measure has passed the Senate with a 20-1 vote.

Emergency responders: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard Senate Bill 312, which puts in place measures for motorists intended to increase safety for emergency vehicles responding to incidents, including prohibiting driving abreast of emergency vehicles with flashing lights. The bill also requires owners of abandoned or disabled vehicles to pay the costs of towing if a police officer determines the vehicle’s removal is necessary because it obstructs traffic flow.

Motorcycle permits: The Senate Transportation Committee heard Assembly Bill 261, which puts in place a timeline for adults over 18 who get a permit to use a motorcycle. The law would make a permit valid for six months and only renewable for another six-month period once in a five-year period. That’s with the goal of encouraging them to get trained and a license with an endorsement instead of holding onto a permit indefinitely..

“What we’re trying to do is preventing people from staying on the permit and never getting an endorsement for a motorcycle license,” said Assemblyman Richard Carrillo, D-Las Vegas.

Under the bill, the length for a permit is one year for motorcyclists under 18, which is renewable one time.

Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-0661. Follow @BenBotkin1 on Twitter.