Around the Regions - January 18, 2010

Motorcycle Riders Track Deadly Trend; Study: Rise in Fatalities Follows Repeal of Helmet Law (Texas)

Trucking Company says Drivers Consider Safety Before Higher Speed Limit (Illinois)

DMV Begins Issuing Advance Secure Issuance Licenses and ID Cards (Indiana)

Number of State Troopers Lowest Level in 46 Years (Iowa)

Dipping into Road Use Tax Fund for Patrol Operations (Iowa)

Facing a $1 Billion Deficit, Local Lawmakers Expect the Budget to Dominate Iowa’s 2010 Session

Leaders Pledge no Tax Hikes, but Iowans can still Expect to Pay (Iowa)

Audit Report Looks at the Cost of Issuing Drivers Licenses (Iowa)

Gold Star Daughters Seek Special License Plates for Families of Fallen Soldiers (Kansas)

Nebraska Bill would Let Stores Scan Driver's Licenses

NDDOT recently created a new Safety Division to consolidate both behavioral and engineering aspects of safety. Mark Nelson, former Superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol was chosen to lead the new division. He has also been charged with updating the Strategic Highway Safety Plan to include more stakeholders and create a holistic approach to traffic safety in North Dakota.

A Dozen Motor Vehicle Division Branches OK'd for Closures (Arizona)

Governor Names New Director of DPS (Arizona)

RCMP Investigation Requested by ICBC Determines No Criminal Activity Involved (British Columbia)

Governor wants to Catch Speeders with Red-Light Cameras to Help Balance Budget (California)

Fewer Fatal Accidents for 2010, More DUIs: CHP (California)

DMV Edict: Workers Must Work "Furlough Fridays" -- for Free / 30 DMV Workers Ordered to Work on Furlough Friday (California)

CHP Gets Motorcycle Safety Grant (California)

Schwarzenegger Plan for Gasoline Taxes Slammed as "Bait and Switch" (California)

DMV Extends Advance Appointment Calendar to 45 Days (California)

Lawmakers, Others Weigh Fix for DUI Suspects who Deny Tests (Montana)

2010 Legislature: Governor Backs Deal for Dealerships (New Mexico)

You Drink. You Drive. You Lose. – New Mexico State Police Video

Changes Causing Backup At The DMV (Utah)

http://connect2utah.com/content/fulltext/?cid=70801 (Utah)

DUI Bills Head to Legislature (Wyoming)

DUI Task Force Progresses Policy Suggestions for Governor (Wyoming)