This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The House Transportation Committee unanimously endorsed HB147 Thursday to add an online test for first-time drivers after they complete a driver-education class. It would be in addition to a test given before drivers obtain a learner's permit.
Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, said he is concerned that while Utah had for years seen a decline in highway deaths, fatalities increased by 16 percent in 2014.
Half of the questions on the new test would be related to the top causes of highway deaths in a previous year, such as not wearing seatbelts or distracted driving. Eliason said driver-education courses may not adequately cover that information now.
Eliason said the test would be open-book and available online, and is a good way to offer education that may save lives.
The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.
— Lee Davidson