Assembly passes bill to soften punishment for speeders

Saturday, June 28, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

The Assembly passed SB137 Friday on a 37-5 vote. The bill, already approved by the Senate, was authored by Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora.

Under SB137, drivers will be fined $25 for traveling 10 miles per hour above a posted limit of 60 to 65 mph or 5 mph above a posted limit of 70 mph. But they won't face demerits or insurance increases.

Rhoads has said he sponsored SB137 after complaints from his constituents, who said they should be able to drive faster on long, empty stretches of rural Nevada road.

Assemblyman Pete Ernaut, R-Reno, supported that argument on the Assembly floor, calling Nevada's open highways a unique aspect of the state.

Ernaut said the fines and laws proposed in SB137 were on the books until last session, when they were increased as part of a compromise when Nevada lifted its legal speed limits.

But Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, D-North Las Vegas, who chairs the Assembly Transportation Committee, argued that the bill will endanger drivers.

Chowning said she could support SB137 only if it was amended to prohibit speeding at night or in urban areas.

"This is opposed by law enforcement and everyone else," Chowning said. "It is an irresponsible message to send in terms of public safety."

Those voting against the bill were Chowning; Vivian Freeman, D-Reno; Jan Evans, D-Sparks; Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas; and Richard Perkins, D-Henderson.