STATEHOUSE (Feb. 14, 2018) — The House Committee on Roads and Transportation advanced legislation sponsored by State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) on Wednesday that would allow Hoosiers to voluntarily request free emissions tests on their vehicle.
Burton said the bill would allow fire departments, including volunteer fire departments, to provide free vehicular carbon monoxide testing to Hoosiers at their request. This proposal stems from the death of a Ben Davis High School student in 2015. Savannah Bettis was killed in a car crash resulting from the vehicle’s degraded exhaust system circulating carbon monoxide into the cabin. An odorless gas, carbon monoxide was able to reach dangerous concentration levels within the vehicle, incapacitating Bettis and her boyfriend, who was driving at the time. Bettis’ boyfriend survived the crash.
“We are calling this legislation ‘Savannah’s Law,’ in honor of Savannah Bettis,” Burton said. “While driving to the mall with her boyfriend, Savannah lost her life when she and her boyfriend were overcome by carbon monoxide, and passed out shortly before the deadly accident. After the vehicle’s exhaust system was inspected, it became clear this tragedy and future ones could be prevented with a simple test. This proactive safety measure will go a long way in keeping Hoosiers safe.”
Senate Bill 100 now moves to the full House of Representatives for further consideration. Visit iga.in.gov to learn more.
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State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) represents a portion of Johnson County.
A high-resolution photo of Burton can be downloaded by clicking here.
