BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1664
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Date of Hearing: March 22, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Bonnie Lowenthal, Chair
AB 1664 (Swanson) - As Introduced: January 20, 2010
SUBJECT : Motorcycles: speed limits
SUMMARY : Exempts motorcycles drawing trailers that are
designed for motorcycle use from the 55 mile per hour (mph)
speed limit that normally applies to vehicles that are drawing
other vehicles.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Sets a speed limit of 55 mph for any of the following types of
vehicles being driven on a highway:
a) Motortrucks or truck tractors having three or more axles
and motortrucks or truck tractors drawing any other
vehicles;
b) Passenger vehicles or buses drawing any other vehicles;
c) Schoolbuses transporting any school pupils;
d) Farm labor vehicles when transporting passengers;
e) Vehicles transporting explosives; and,
f) Trailer buses.
2)Requires any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less
than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction
to be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as
practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, except when
overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same
direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection
or into a private road or driveway.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : According to the author, the requirement for
motorcycles towing trailers to travel at 55 mph or less, which
effectively restricts them to the slow lane on highways, poses a
AB 1664
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significant safety hazard. Slow lanes are known for containing
road debris, oils, and high water spray during inclement
weather, each of which is more dangerous to motorcycles than to
cars and trucks. Furthermore, due to their far lighter weight,
whenever a motorcycle is forced to make a sudden stop, a
following truck (which is also typically restricted to the slow
lane) will be hard-pressed to stop quickly enough to avoid a
collision.
While freeing motorcycles that tow trailers from the slow lane
will lessen their exposure to the above-mentioned hazards, even
unencumbered motorcycle riding has been shown to carry a higher
risk of accidents and injuries than other types of vehicles.
The added task of towing a trailer would seem to increase the
exposure of the motorcyclist to a variety of safety risks. One
might therefore question whether this bill's solution of simply
allowing these operations to be carried out on all freeway
lanes, rather than being restricted to the slow lane, will make
an appreciable difference. Nevertheless, it is clear that there
are unique hazards in the slow lane that cause motorcyclists to
avoid that lane as much as possible.
Discussions with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) revealed
that Honda and Harley-Davidson do not recommend using
motorcycles to tow trailers. Harley-Davidson, in fact, warns
that such an activity could void the motorcycle's warranty.
The CHP also notes that the towing of trailers decreases a
vehicle's acceleration, increases its safe stopping distance,
and reduces its control and maneuverability, which is the
rationale behind the current 55 mph restriction.
Suggested Committee Amendments : It would appear that this bill
could open high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to motorcycles
towing trailers, as motorcycles are already generally given
access to HOV lanes. Given the congestion problems that are
being experienced on a number of HOV lanes around the state, one
might question the wisdom of adding yet another class of
vehicles to those lanes, particularly a class that may not be
particularly maneuverable. It might also have the effect of
allowing motorcycles with trailers to "lane-split," i.e., drive
between lanes of traffic. The author may wish to amend the bill
so that it specifically prohibits motorcycles with trailers from
either entering HOV lanes or lane-splitting.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
AB 1664
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Support
American Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education (ABATE)
Opposition
None received
Analysis Prepared by : Howard Posner / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093