STATEHOUSE - On May 20, 2008, Bryan Osbon started his day like any other work day. He went to work at Frankfort City Light and Power where he had been an employee for seven years with a close knit group of people. Unfortunately, Osbon, 25, didn't know it would not be like a typical day at work. Osbon and his crew were working at their assigned site when a motorist crashed into a nearby utility service vehicle. Osbon was pinned between the motorist's SUV and the utility service vehicle. The SUV was traveling about 55 miles per hour, within the speed limit, when she hit the utility service vehicle. The work crew had set up the proper warning along the highway, but the motorist ignored the warnings and did not slow down. Osbon was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital, where he later died. The Frankfort community was devastated by Osbon's death. Not only did the community lose a young man it respected, but Osbon left behind his wife and family. The community planted trees in the city to commemorate Osbon, and a Lineman Apprentice of the Year Award was created in his honor. Rep. Cleo Duncan (R-Greensburg) had a fatality occur in her district when a police officer was killed by an oncoming vehicle while he was on a traffic stop. This incident spurred Rep. Duncan to author "Slow Down/Move Over" legislation, which passed in 1999. Duncan's legislation required vehicles to slow down or move over when approaching an emergency vehicle, such as ambulances, police vehicles and fire trucks. Thirty-nine other states have patterned their legislation on Rep. Duncan's in order to make their roads safer for travelers. The bill I propose adds to Rep. Duncan's original legislation. The legislation will add service utility vehicles, such as cable and power company trucks, to the list of vehicles that force drivers to use caution when approaching. Failure to acknowledge audio or visual precaution signs would result in a Class A infraction and may also result in the loss of driving privileges. After I was elected state representative, Osbon's grandmother contacted me. I felt honored the family approached me and asked for my help. I have since made it my will to do everything I can to help this legislation pass this session. Both Republicans and Democrats helped me produce this legislation. Rep. Duncan, Rep. Shelli VanDenburgh (D-Crown Point) and Rep. Terri Austin (D-Anderson) have agreed to co-sponsor this important piece of legislation. I will take the first step when I present the bill in the Roads and Transportation Committee at 10 a.m. Wednesday. I want community members to know that they can come to me with matters such as this. I want to help make our community safe and the people in it feel safe as well. Contact me through e-mail at h38@in.gov, by calling toll-free at 1-800-382-9841 or write me at the Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. -30- |
