Senate Bill No. 109

Introduced by Senator Corbett

January 14, 2013

An act to amend Section 35110 of, and to add Section 35405 to, the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SB 109, as introduced, Corbett. Vehicles: aerodynamic devices.

Existing law limits the length of vehicles and combinations of vehicles coupled together. Under existing law, any extension or device used to increase the carrying capacity of a vehicle is generally included in measuring the length of a vehicle, subject to certain exceptions.

This bill would exclude an aerodynamic device that extends no more than 5 feet beyond the rear of a vehicle from the calculation of a vehicle’s length if the device meets specified conditions, including that the device does not obscure tail lamps, turn signals, marker lamps, identification lamps, or any other required safety devices.

Existing law limits the width of a vehicle to no more than 102 inches, with certain exceptions, including that a vehicle may have an aerodynamic device, as defined, that extends up to 3 inches beyond each side of the vehicle. Existing law prohibits an aerodynamic device from adversely impacting the vehicle’s swept width and turning characteristics.

This bill would instead prohibit an aerodynamic device from affecting the vehicle’s turning radius, as defined, or interfering with the vehicle’s ability to complete a turn.

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.  

Section 35110 of the Vehicle Code is amended
to read:

35110.  

(a) Door handles, hinges, cable cinchers, chain binders,
aerodynamic devices, and holders for the display of placards
warning of hazardous materials may extend three inches on each
side of the vehicle.

(b) For purposes of this begin delete section, “aerodynamic devices” end delete begin insert section: end insert

begin insert (1) end insert begin insert   end insert begin insert “Aerodynamic device” end insert means begin delete devices using end delete begin insert a device that end insert
begin insert uses end insert technologies that minimize drag and improve airflow over an
entire tractor-trailer vehicle. These include gap fairings that reduce
turbulence between the tractor and trailer, side skirts that minimize
wind under the trailer, and rear fairings that reduce turbulence and
pressure drop at the rear of the begin delete trailer, provided that these devices end delete
begin delete shall not adversely impact the vehicle’s swept width and turning end delete
begin delete characteristics and that the primary purpose of the device is not end delete
begin delete for advertising end delete begin insert trailer. An aerodynamic device shall not have the end insert
begin insert primary purpose of advertising and shall not affect the vehicle’s end insert
begin insert turning radius or interfere with the vehicle’s ability to complete end insert
begin insert a turn end insert .

begin insert

(2) “Turning radius” means the angle that the tractor can rotate
relative to the trailer while completing a turn.

end insert

SEC. 2.  

Section 35405 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:

35405.  

An aerodynamic device that extends no more than five
feet beyond the rear of a vehicle shall not be included in measuring
the length of the vehicle or combination of vehicles, if both of the
following conditions are met:

(a) The device does not have the strength, rigidity, or mass to
damage a vehicle, or injure a passenger in a vehicle, that strikes
the vehicle equipped with the device from the rear.

(b) The device does not obscure tail lamps, turn signals, marker
lamps, identification lamps, or any other required safety devices,
including, but not limited to, hazardous materials placards or
conspicuity markings.