Amended in Senate April 8, 2013

Senate BillNo. 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 amended, 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 devicebegin insert, as defined,end insert 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:

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SECTION 1.  

Section 35110 of the Vehicle Code is amended
2to read:

3

35110.  

(a) Door handles, hinges, cable cinchers, chain binders,
4aerodynamic devices, and holders for the display of placards
5warning of hazardous materials may extend three inches on each
6side of the vehicle.

7(b) begin insert(1)end insertbegin insertend insert For purposes of thisbegin delete section:end delete

8begin delete(1)end deletebegin deleteend deletebegin delete“Aerodynamicend deletebegin insert section, “aerodynamicend insert device” means a
9device that uses technologies that minimize drag and improve
10airflow over an entire tractor-trailer vehicle. These include gap
11fairings that reduce turbulence between the tractor and trailer, side
12skirts that minimize wind under the trailer, and rear fairings that
13reduce turbulence and pressure drop at the rear of the trailer. An
14aerodynamic device shall not have the primary purpose of
15advertising and shall not affect the vehicle’s turning radius or
16interfere with the vehicle’s ability to complete a turn.

17(2) begin delete“Turning end deletebegin insertAs used in paragraph (1), “turning end insertradius” means
18the angle that the tractor can rotate relative to the trailer while
19completing a turn.

20

SEC. 2.  

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

21

35405.  

begin insert(a)end insertbegin insertend insert An aerodynamic device that extends no more than
22five feet beyond the rear of a vehicle shall not be included in
23measuring the length of the vehicle or combination of vehicles, if
24both of the following conditions are met:

begin delete

25(a)

end delete

26begin insert(1)end insert The device does not have the strength, rigidity, or mass to
27damage a vehicle, or injure a passenger in a vehicle, that strikes
28the vehicle equipped with the device from the rear.

begin delete

29(b)

end delete

30begin insert(2)end insert The device does not obscure tail lamps, turn signals, marker
31lamps, identification lamps, or any other required safety devices,
32including, but not limited to, hazardous materials placards or
33conspicuity markings.

begin insert

34(b) For purposes of this section, “aerodynamic device” has the
35 same meaning as defined in Section 35110.

end insert


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