BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1115
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Date of Hearing: April 27, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Jim Frazier, Chair
AB 1115
(Salas) - As Amended January 4, 2016
AS PROPOSED TO BE AMENDED IN COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: School zones: traffic control devices: state
highways
SUMMARY: As proposed to be amended, designates a school zone on
State Route (SR) 184 near Sunset Middle School in Kern County.
EXISTING LAW: Generally establishes a prima facie speed limit
of 25 miles per hour (MPH) in school zones.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS: Since 2010, there have been over 20 collisions near
the intersection of SR 184 and Sunset Boulevard in Kern County,
several of the collisions resulting in fatalities. The
intersection is the main access point to Sunset Middle School.
Stop signs control traffic traveling east and west on Sunset
Boulevard but traffic traveling north and south on SR 184 does
stop.
AB 1115
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According to the author, the local school district and local
residents have long sought traffic control devices, such as stop
lights, flashing lights, rumble strips, and even an all-way stop
at this intersection to improve safety. The California
Department of Transportation (Caltrans) recently evaluated the
intersection and determined that an all-way stop was not
warranted. However, the department has committed to installing
a number of flashing beacons, warning signs, and lighted stop
signs at this intersection.
Nonetheless, the author remains concerned that the
installations make take too long and that these measures may be
insufficient in slowing traffic on SR 184 approaching the
school. As a result, the author intends to amend AB 1115 in
committee to designate a school zone on SR 184 near Sunset
Middle School. The area is not eligible for such a designation
under existing law because the school is not directly contiguous
to SR 184; it is separated by a fence. Designating this area as
a school zone will facilitate slowing traffic speeds approaching
this intersection.
Limiting this bill to designation of a school zone at this
particular location is a measured approach to this complicated,
troubling, lingering safety problem.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
AB 1115
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Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by:Janet Dawson / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093