Austin, TX – Representative Dan Branch (R-Dallas) will introduce "Katie's Law" today as he lays out HB 84 in the Committee on Law Enforcement.  Rick and Johna Bolka of Dallas, Katie's parents, will testify on behalf of "Katie's Law" along with Charles and Liz Stovall of Houston and Kent and Joan Bohls of Austin.  All three of these families have been tragically affected by elderly drivers.

Katie Bolka, age 17, was killed last year by a 90 year old driver who ran a red light through a Dallas intersection. Katie was driving to Ursuline Academy for her final math exam on the morning of May 30, 2006.  At 7:45am, Katie was struck by the elderly driver who was driving 7 miles over the speed limit and ran a light that had been red for almost 30 seconds.  Katie succumbed to the fatal injuries after fighting for her life for five and a half days.
           

Currently, Texas law requires a driver's license renewal every six years.  There has been increasing concern over Texas' most elderly drivers, who may renew their license without retaking vision and field tests.  Insurance companies report that drivers age 80 and above are often high risk drivers as their sight and responsiveness deteriorate. "Katie's Law," the proposed Elderly Driver's Test legislation (HB 84 by Branch and the Senate companion, SB 180, filed by Senator Carona) would require a vision and driving test every two years for drivers ages 90 and above. 
           

HB 84 will be heard today in the Committee on Law Enforcement at 2pm or upon final adjournment/recess in room E1.014.  The Bolkas, the Stovalls and the Bohls will be available to the media upon adjournment of the House in room E2.024.   

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