Friends and family can anonymously report a driver they suspect may have physical, mental or emotional impairments that may be a threat to driver safety.

The House, on a vote of 42-26, passed Senate Bill 34, sponsored by Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, and co-sponsored by Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman.

The person making the notification about a potentially dangerous driver must do it in person at an office of the driver license division. If the person requests not to have their identity disclosed, the division can do that once the bill goes into effect on July 1.

The division already investigates such claims, but current rules require disclosure of the identity of the person making a claim.

Allowing the reporting to remain confidential can help avoid unwanted conflicts, such as when a family member's driving ability deteriorates due to age, Christensen has said. Older drivers may be affected by the change more than other groups, but the bill isn't targeted at seniors.

Anonymous tips will not be accepted, Wimmer said.

An 85-year-old uncle of Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Salt Lake City, sent her an e-mail saying "he was tired of the attack on older drivers."

"This has nothing to do with age, it has to do with ability," Wimmer said. If a person is a dangerous driver at the age of 16, 20 or 35, friends and family should be able to report that person.

Moss said she is concerned the bill turns over to the state a responsibility that should be up to a family.

Rep. Michael Noel, R-Kanab said he supports the bill.

"We're driving a herd of cows down the road and here comes my neighbor, who I called Mr. McGoo, driving 45 mph right through my cow herd," Noel said. "It's amazing he didn't kill himself or anyone else."

The bill now goes to the governor.

Senate Bill 34 Confidentiality of Reports to Driver License Division

Sponsor: Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden

This bill would modify the Impaired Persons Licensing Act by amending provisions relating to notifying the Driver License Division of an impairment.