BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING
Senator Jim Beall, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 162 Hearing Date: 6/9/2015
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|Author: |Rodriguez |
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|Version: |5/19/2015 |
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|Urgency: |Yes |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant|Erin Riches |
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SUBJECT: State highways: wrong-way driving
DIGEST: This bill requires the state Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) to update a 1989 report relating to
prevention of wrong-way accidents on state highways.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law requires a vehicle to be driven on the right side
of the highway except under limited circumstances, such as
overtaking and passing another vehicle.
This bill:
1)Requires Caltrans, in consultation with the California Highway
Patrol (CHP), to update its June 1989 report entitled
"Prevention of Wrong-Way Accidents."
2)Requires the report to account for technological advancements
and innovation occurring since 1989 and to review methods
studied or implemented by other jurisdictions, including state
or local agencies inside or outside California, as well as
methods studied by non-governmental entities to prevent
wrong-way drivers from entering state highways.
3)Requires the report to identify any additional treatments and
technologies with the potential to reduce the number of
instances of wrong-way driving on state highways and to
include a plan to incorporate those treatments and
AB 162 (Rodriguez) Page 2 of ?
technologies into Caltrans' wrong-way monitoring and
mitigation program for the state highway system.
4)Requires Caltrans to provide a preliminary report to the
Legislature by December 1, 2015, and a final report by July 1,
2016.
COMMENTS:
Purpose. The author states that although wrong-way crashes
occur relatively infrequently, they are the deadliest type of
motor vehicle accident. According to the CHP, there have been
more than 1,500 wrong-way driving collisions in the state since
2001, resulting in more than 270 deaths and nearly 1,700
injuries. Of these crashes, nearly half (700) were attributable
to drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Technological advancements have produced more sophisticated
countermeasures, detection devices, and warning systems that
could help prevent these incidents. The National Transportation
Safety Board and several states have initiated studies to reduce
wrong-way driving incidents. This bill directs Caltrans to
examine and evaluate technological advancements that have
occurred since Caltrans last studied the issue.
1989 report findings. SB 233 (Davis, Chapter 153, Statutes of
1987) required Caltrans to study methods of reducing the
incidence of wrong-way drivers on freeway ramps. Caltrans
published "Prevention of Wrong-Way Accidents on Freeways" in
June 1989. The report found that half of wrong-way driving on
freeways was attributable to deliberate, illegal U-turns, and
three quarters of fatal wrong-way accidents were caused by
drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The report
recommended treatments such as repainting or adding wrong-way
pavement arrows; reorienting, moving, or adding wrong-way signs;
modifying freeway entrances; placing edge lines and pavement
markers; upgrading signs with high-intensity reflective
sheeting; and modifying lighting.
Assembly Votes:
Floor:77-0
Appr:17-0
Trans:15-0
AB 162 (Rodriguez) Page 3 of ?
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on
Wednesday,
June 3, 2015.)
SUPPORT:
California Ambulance Association
California Association of Highway Patrolmen
OPPOSITION:
None received
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