The State Assembly gave final approval today to Assembly Bill 162 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez to prevent wrong way driving accidents, sending the bill to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
Assembly Bill 162 instructs the California Department of Transportation to study wrong-way driving accidents—which has not been done in California since 1989-- and look at safety measures pursued by other states that could prevent wrong way driving accidents. The bill requires a preliminary report due to the legislature by December 1, 2015 and a final report by July 1, 2016.
“Wrong-way driving crashes are catastrophic and deadly. California could be doing more to prevent them,” said Assemblymember Rodriguez. “The recent crashes in Sacramento and San Diego show us that we need answers now, not later. I urge the Governor to quickly sign this legislation.”
A recent string of wrong-way crashes in both Sacramento and San Diego have made headlines across California. In Sacramento, 14 people were killed in four wrong-way driving accidents since January. In San Diego, 6 people died as a result of 3 wrong-way accidents during a one-month span.
The State Senate passed the measure last week on a vote of 38-0 and the State Assembly gave final approval today by a vote of 73-0.
Assemblymember Rodriguez represents the 52nd Assembly District which includes the cities of Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona and portions of unincorporated Fontana.