'Dimler Amendment' headed to House floor

Fewer speeding violations could end up on state driving records.

Under current law, a ticket does not appear on someone's driving record if the person was driving up to 10 mph over the speed limit in a 55 mph zone, or 5 mph over the limit in a 60 mph zone.

Sponsored by Rep. Dean Urdahl (R-Grove City), HF537 would add the 10 mph threshold to the 60 mph limit.

“If you speed you will still be penalized,” Urdahl said. “This simply gives a break on driving records. It doesn’t change state penalties.” He emphasized the bill has nothing to do with raising speed limits, it’s only about not recording infractions to the state and that insurance companies will not up the rates.

Approved by the House Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee, the bill was sent to the House floor. It has no Senate companion.

Enacted in 1986, the so-called “Dimler amendment,” named for its sponsor, Chuck Dimler, a former representative, governs which speeding violations are recorded on a driving record maintained by the Department of Public Safety.

Assistant State Traffic Engineer Cassandra Isackson expressed concern that people would go faster on roads that are not designed for higher speeds, leading to more injuries or deaths.