BILL NUMBER: SB 469 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JUNE 10, 2014
AMENDED IN SENATE JANUARY 6, 2014
INTRODUCED BY Senator Corbett
FEBRUARY 21, 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 469, as amended, Corbett. Vehicles: aerodynamic vehicles.
Existing law limits the length of vehicles and combinations of
vehicles coupled together. Existing law permits door handles, hinges,
cable cinchers, chain binders, aerodynamic devices, and holders for
the display of placards warning of hazardous materials to extend 3
inches on each side of the vehicle. 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 also permit a tarping system, as defined, and all
nonproperty carrying devices or components to extend 3 inches on each
side of the vehicle, as specified. The bill would exclude an
aerodynamic device, as defined, 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, holders for the display of placards warning of
hazardous materials, and a tarping system and all nonproperty
carrying devices or components thereof, may extend three inches on
each side of the vehicle.
(b) (1) For purposes of this
section, "aerodynamic device" means a device that uses 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 trailer. An aerodynamic device shall not
have the primary purpose of advertising and shall not affect the
vehicle's turning radius or interfere with the vehicle's ability to
complete a turn. trailer, provided that these devices
shall not adversely impact the vehicle's swept width and turning
characteristics and that the primary purpose of the device is not for
advertising.
(2) As used in paragraph (1), "turning radius" means the angle
that the tractor can rotate relative to the trailer while completing
a turn.
(c) (1) For purposes of this section, "a tarping system" means a
movable device used to enclose the cargo area of flatbed semitrailers
or trailers.
(2) Subdivision (a) applies to all component parts of a tarping
system, including the following:
(A) The transverse structure at the front of the vehicle to which
the sliding walls and roof of the tarp mechanism are attached,
provided the structure is not also intended or designed to comply
with Section 393.106 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
The transverse structure may be up to 108 inches wide if properly
centered so that neither side extends more than three inches beyond
the structural edge of the vehicle.
(B) The side rails running the length of the vehicle.
(C) The rear doors, provided the only function of the rear doors
is to seal the cargo area and anchor the sliding walls and roof.
(D) The "wings" designed to close the gap between a headerboard
designed to comply with Section 393.106 of Title 49 of the Code of
Federal Regulations and the movable walls and roof of a tarping
system, provided they are add-on pieces designed to bear only the
load of the tarping system itself and are not integral parts of the
load-bearing headerboard structure.
(d) For purposes of this section, a "headerboard designed to
comply with Section 393.106 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal
Regulations" is load bearing and does not exceed 102 inches in width.
SEC. 2. Section 35405 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
35405. (a) 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:
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(b) For purposes of this section, "aerodynamic device" has the
same meaning as defined in Section 35110.