(Juneau) - Nothing is more grave than taking another person's life. Unfortunately, every year many Alaskans die as a result of drivers not following basic traffic laws. A bill sponsored by Sen. Scott Ogan (R-Rural/Mat-Su/Chugiak) will try to save lives by expanding the criminal ramifications a court can impose on a person found responsible for a fatal accident because of a traffic violation.

Sen. Ogan says that a person who ignores basic driving laws that results in a fatal accident could lose their license for up to three years.

SB 53 passed the House Tuesday and was sent to the governor, and once signed, will hold drivers more accountable when their disregard for basic traffic laws result in the death of another person.

"While we have a great need to continue to cut down on the number of deaths on Alaskan highways due to drunk drivers - we must also look at the loss of life caused by people that simply drive irresponsibly," said Ogan. "I think when a driver runs a red light and takes the life of another human being, it is wrong to call that an accident. In that situation, it was a preventable collision, and the person responsible for the collision should be held to a higher standard of accountability than simply a $50 or $100 fine."

SB 53 would give Alaskan courts the ability to impose license revocations of up to three years on drivers convicted of traffic offenses that result in the death of an individual.

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