Assembly Bill 162 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez passed the Assembly Transportation Committee today with a unanimous vote. The bill seeks to reduce the number of deadly wrong-way accidents that occur on state freeways by asking the California Department of Transportation to study and review additional countermeasures that could effectively reduce the number of drivers who access freeways on the wrong side of the road.
“During my career as an Emergency Medical Technician, I have seen too many accidents that could have been prevented,” said Rodriguez. “California needs to review the effectiveness of our current safety measures and explore other ideas that may be out there to help save lives.”
In February 2014, a wrong-way driver caused a three-vehicle collision on the 60 freeway in Diamond Bar resulting in the death of 6. Witnesses reported seeing the driver going the wrong way at a high rate of speed on both the 57 and 60 freeways before the crash occurred. According to the California Highway Patrol, there have been 1500 wrong-way crashes since 2001 resulting in 270 deaths and nearly 1700 injuries.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, wrong-way collisions are more likely to result in serious injury or death than any other type of traffic accident. Other states such as Florida and Texas have launched pilot programs and studies to determine if there are more effective countermeasures that can help reduce the frequency of drivers entering the freeway on the wrong side of the road.
AB 162 would direct the California Department of Transportation, in consultation with the California Highway Patrol, to update their 1989 study entitled “Prevention of Wrong Way Accidents” to account for technological advancements and innovation since 1989. Under the bill, the Department of Transportation would have until January 1, 2017 to report their findings to the legislature.