This past week, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) joined her colleagues to support the State and Federal Electronic Data Records to Improve Vehicle-operator Eligibility Reporting Systems (SAFE DRIVERS) Act of 2019, which was introduced by Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) earlier this month. The bill would allow states to acquire stronger state traffic safety information systems and promote communication between state and national data systems. Specifically, it would enable all Registries of Motor Vehicles (RMVs) across the country to use existing federal funds to upgrade electronic databases to ensure prompt notification about driver infractions so that they are able to suspend or revoke driver’s licenses for infractions that occur in other states. This legislation aims to prevent tragedies like the incident in Randolph over the Summer that took the lives of seven motorcyclists.

“Last summer’s crash in Randolph was a tragedy that sent shockwaves across the New England region,” said Rep. Kuster. “This legislation will honor the memories of the members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club who were killed, and it will help to prevent future tragedies by improving communication and collaboration between states to keep dangerous drivers off the road. I’m proud to support this commonsense measure and will continue working to improve public safety in communities in New Hampshire and across the country.”

“The driver who killed seven members of the Jarheads MC should never have been on the road. The nation’s Registries of Motor Vehicles have failed to evolve with technology, and it means our families are at risk,” Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) said. “It’s time for a new-generation of thinking at the RMV. The SAFE DRIVERS Act will save lives by alerting states about dangerous drivers in real time.”

The legislation comes in response to the June 21, 2019 crash in Randolph where a truck crossed into the wrong lane, colliding with 10 motorcyclists, killing seven, including Michael Ferazzi of Contoocook, NH; Albert Mazza of Lee, NH; Daniel Pereira of Riverside, RI; Joanne & Edward Corr of Lakeville, MA; Desma Oakes of Concord, NH; and Aaron Perry of Farmington, NH.

The Massachusetts truck driver responsible for the incident should not have had an active driver’s license and should not have been behind the wheel of a vehicle. The driver had been arrested and charged with operating under the influence a month earlier in Connecticut, but because the Massachusetts RMV did not process out-of-state infractions, he still had an active driver’s license. This legislation will help states implement electronic systems to ensure dangerous drivers are kept off our roads.

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