Transportation Cabinet
HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE DECIDES FAVORABLY ON “QUICK CLEARANCE” BILL - Bill Addresses Need to Open Up Interstates and Parkways After Accidents

FRANKFORT, KY (February 15, 2005) – “Quick Clearance” legislation was reported favorably out of the House Judiciary Committee today. House Bill 272 addresses the problems of motorist safety and clogged interstates following traffic accidents.

“In our mission statement, we are committed to providing a safe, secure and reliable highway system that ensures the efficient mobility of people and goods, thereby enhancing both the quality of life and the economic vitality of the Commonwealth,” added Secretary Nighbert. “We live in the era of ‘just-in-time’ delivery. Getting accidents handled quickly lessens the associated damage that lengthy backups cause for Kentucky’s economy. This is long overdue legislation.”

State Representative David Osborne (R-Prospect), a cosponsor of HB 272, the House version of SB 44, underlined the aspect of this legislation which is intended to prevent additional accidents.

"By making sure these accidents are quickly moved out of the way, we avoid additional accidents that may be the result of traffic congestion, secondary crashes and the risk to people standing outside of the vehicles at the accident site," Osborne said. "This bill is important when you consider that nationally an estimated 20 percent of all accidents are the result of secondary crashes."

The bill, which has already cleared the Senate, now moves to the full House for consideration.

###