BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 162
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Date of Hearing: April 22, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
162 (Rodriguez) - As Amended March 24, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill requires Caltrans, by January 1, 2017 and in
consultation with the CHP, to update, as specified, its 1989
report, Prevention of Wrong-Way Driving Accidents to account for
technological advances.
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FISCAL EFFECT:
Minor one-time special fund costs (under $25,000) to update the
1989 report by reviewing state of the art practices in other
states and incorporating recommended innovative measures to
reduce the potential for wrong-way collisions on state highways.
[State Highway Account]
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. Although wrong-way crashes occur relatively
infrequently, these types of crashes often result in
fatalities and serious injuries. The author contends that
wrong-way driving has been a persistent traffic safety problem
in California despite Caltrans' efforts to reduce it. The
author contends that recent reports produced by the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as well as those produced
in other states, indicate that there may be additional
wrong-way driving countermeasures that could be effectively
utilized in California.
2)Background. Wrong-way driving can occur on any roadway, but on
divided highways and especially on freeways and expressways,
AB 162
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wrong-way driving typically results in catastrophic head-on
collisions. Wrong way drivers typically enter divided highways
at intersections and off-ramps. According to CHP, in
California between 2001 and 2014, there have been a total of
1,541 wrong-way driving collisions resulting in 1,687 injuries
and 271 fatalities.
Pursuant to legislation enacted in 1987, Caltrans in 1989
released the report Prevention of Wrong-Way Driving Accidents,
which was intended to determine actions needed to prevent
wrong-way entries onto state highways. Since 1985, Caltrans
has conducted an annual monitoring program to identify
locations where wrong-way entries occur statewide, and
following thorough investigations at these sites, Caltrans
installs countermeasures where appropriate.
Improved ramp designs, signage, pavement markings, and
lighting, however, have reduced driver confusion and
associated wrong-way entries. Currently, the National Traffic
Safety Board (NTSB) indicates that the majority (60%) of
wrong-way crashes are associated with driving under the
influence of drugs and/or alcohol (DUI). The NTSB also
reports, and the CHP concurs, that elderly and fatigued
drivers also contribute to the number wrong-way driving
accidents nationwide.
Analysis Prepared by:Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
AB 162
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