Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
The death of highway worker Derek Stempa, who was struck by a vehicle at a road construction site in May, as well as other accidents caused by inattentive driving, has prompted Shawano County Sheriff Adam Bieber to lobby for changes in state law that give law enforcement more leeway for prosecution.
Bieber said he has been contacting state legislators with the proposed changes.
Stempa, 30, of Shawano, was working as a flag person at the intersection of state Highway 47 and County Road G on May 26 when he was struck by a southbound 2003 Dodge Caravan driven by Dennis St. John, 69, of Tigerton.
According to Bieber, the investigation showed that St. John had one dog in his lap and another on his shoulder, and was fumbling with an oxygen mask at the time he struck Stempa.
St. John passed away on Aug. 17 of advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease before charges could be filed in the case.
Bieber’s suggested changes to state law specifically address the presence of dogs in vehicles.
“This is in response to many crashes which have led to injuries, property damage, and death as a direct result of operators driving with their dogs on their laps or in the driver’s immediate area,” Bieber said. “This is mirrored to Hawaii’s law regarding this subject. The current inattentive law is not specific enough for law enforcement to enforce this behavior.”
Bieber is suggesting the following language regarding dogs, persons or objects interfering with driver’s operation of the vehicle and vision:
“While operating a motor vehicle, no operator shall hold in the operators lap, or allow to be in the driver’s immediate area, any person, animal, or object which interferes with the driver’s vision and control over the driving mechanism and operation of the vehicle.”
Bieber said there are several states that have implemented similar laws and even more considering it.
“Dogs and phones are competing for the attention of drivers,” he said. “Restrictions are needed not just for the protection of drivers, pedestrians, and highway workers, but for the pets themselves.”