Bill > S1688

This bill, known as the Drowsy Driving Act of 2013 or Rob's Law, aims to address drowsy driving by implementing several measures. It requires individuals seeking or renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL) with a body mass index (BMI) above 33 kg/m2 to undergo screening for obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that can cause excessive sleepiness. The Registry of Motor Vehicles' Medical Advisory Board will establish criteria for CDL holders diagnosed with sleep apnea, making continued certification dependent on documented compliance with therapy. The bill also mandates that driver's license examinations and driver education courses include information on the importance of adequate sleep, recognizing signs of drowsiness and sleep disorders, and countermeasures. Furthermore, it amends laws related to vehicular homicide and accident reporting to include drowsiness and sleep deprivation as contributing factors, establishing specific evidence for impairment due to lack of sleep, such as being awake for at least 22 out of 24 hours or 140 out of 168 hours prior to an incident. Finally, it creates a special commission to study the impact of drowsy driving and sleep deprivation on highway safety, with a report due by December 1, 2014.