Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
118564880
label
Issues - Traffic Safety
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
118564880
contentType
document
title
Issues - Traffic Safety
citationUrl
identifierLocal
840
collections
Ronald Reagan's Governor's Papers of the Press Unit
Issue Files
thumbnailUrl
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
118564880
coverageEndDate
logicalDate
1975-12-31
year
1975
coverageStartDate
logicalDate
1967-01-01
year
1967
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
ebb34363be465619
ocrText
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Reagan, Ronald: Gubernatorial Papers,
1966-74: Press Unit
Folder Title: Issues - Traffic Safety
Box: P32
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
State of California
Memorandum
To
Paul Beck
:
Date: January 30, 1968
Press Secretary
Governor's Office
Subject: Background Information
on Traffic Safety
From : Business and Transportation Agency
Office of the Secretary
1120 N Street, Sacramento, (916) 445-1331
Attached is background information on California's traffic safety program.
Should you want further information or if you want to discuss any of this,
call me at 5-4417.
Sm
VAN T. BURCH
Assistant Director
Alcohol and Traffic Safety
Attachments
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON TRAFFIC SAFETY
California's long time role as the leader in the field of highway transportation
and safety has not happened by chance. The wisdom of the Legislature in enacting
progressive, far-sighted statutes, the desire of the people of California for the
best type of highway transportation, the dedicated services of the private sector,
including automobile clubs, local safety councils, safety foundations, and professional
associations; and the sincere dedication of state and local governmental employees in
carrying out established policies have all contributed to this acknowledged leadership.
We shall continue to exercise this leadership role; we shall continue programs
designed to educate the driver, to engineer the safest highway possible, and to enforce
the laws relating to highway safety.
At my request, legislation has been introduced in this, the 1968 Legislative
Session, which would establish a presumption that any automobile driver whose blood
alcohol level is in excess of a certain percentage is "under the influence of alcohol".
This presumption will apply to all drivers whose blood alcohol content is at .10 or
higher. At .05, the presumption will be that there is no impairment caused by alcohol.
Between .05 and .10, other evidences will be necessary to substantiate a finding of
"under the influence of alcohol". This Administration strongly supports that legis-
lation.
This Administration will seek legislation that will:
- Require postmortem blood alcohol tests on all drivers and adult
pedestrians killed in traffic accidents. The tests are current
practice in most California counties; these tests should be required
in all counties, to provide uniformity and better data relating to
the causes of traffic accidents.
- Require special licensing procedures and special protective equipment
for motorcyclists. Operators of motorcycles will be required to be
licensed automobile drivers before a motorcycle operator's permit
will be issued. Protective clothing to include boots, safety goggles
or glasses, and crash helmets will be required of all motorcycle
operators.
- Establish a Center for Traffic Safety Research. Such a Center would
provide exhaustive and conclusive information regarding traffic acci-
dents. This data can come only from a systematized collection and
evaluation of accident causes, frequency, location, and magnitude.
The Center should be a joint venture of governmental, private, and
independent sectors -- a public, non-profit institution dedicated
to seeking not only the causes but the cures for highway accidents
and determining the most effective way of saving human lives.
- Continue and expand the survey of emergency medical facilities and
services available to our motoring public -- county by county. This
survey was authorized by Assembly Bill 2196, 1967 Regular Session.
Included in the survey will be the licensing and certification of
laboratories, and the establishing of guidelines based on medical
data for identification, evaluation, and regulation of medical and
other high risk groups of drivers.
- Continue the Study on Drunken Driving (that was initiated by
Assembly Bill 2538) to devise a system to reduce accidents and
injuries caused by drunk drivers. This Study is being conducted
by the University of Southern California and will provide recommen-
dations to the courts, to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and to
the Legislature on means of controlling drunk drivers.
- Require certification as to safety of used cars prior to resale.
Brakes, lights, steering mechanisms, and safety equipment would
have to be certified to be in good working condition by the used
car dealer or by a private owner who sells his car.
- Establish a test facility which will develop the most sophisticated
automobile inspection system possible. In addition to testing the
vehicle for mechanical worthiness, protection for the driver and
other occupants, safety devices and design features will be tested
for function and potential improvement. At the same time, legislation
will be sought that will continue the three and one-half year Study by
the California Highway Patrol of the effect and costs of random manda-
tory motor vehicle inspections. Because of the number of motor vehicles
registered in California, annual mandatory inspection costs of each
automobile would be prohibitive. The random inspection currently
conducted by the California Highway Patrol is a workable and effec-
tive means of assuring safe vehicles on our roadways. We believe the
random inspection to be a more practical and feasible way than that
suggested by the Federal Government.
This Administration is also considering legislation which would provide
uniformity in statewide reporting and locating accidents and uniformity in
accident reporting forms. Each locality has a different way of reporting
traffic accidents and uses different forms for this reporting. The
differences in form and methodology constitute an unmanageable method of
compiling statistics on accidents. The differences in locating procedures
unnecessarily delay the rendering of medical and emergency care to accident
victims. Standard forms and procedures should be used statewide.
Also under consideration is legislation which would grant immunity from
future court action to accredited accident investigators and legislation which
would allow the impounding of vehicles involved in fatal and serious injury
accidents. Accredited accident investigators should not be submitted to
civil or criminal action as a result of their involvement in investigations.
Immunity similar to that granted to Communicable Disease Investigators should
be given accident investigators. Vehicles involved in fatal and serious injury
accidents should be studied for mechanical failure and vehicle contributions
to the accidents. There is no authority, at the present time, by which these
vehicles can be impounded.
California, with the largest population, the most cars, and the most
drivers, should have additional representation on the National Highway Safety
Advisory Committee. While many states have two representatives, several have
three, and Illinois has four, California has only one. A Joint Resolution
from the Legislature should be directed to the President, asking that California
be truly represented.
REQUEST FOR A1 ROVAL OF PROPOSED DEPARTMENT... LEGISLATION
artment:
Agency:
Bill Control No.
Department of Motor Vehicles
Business & Transportation
Implied Consent
escription:
Change Sections 13353-13354 V.C. to require:
1. That the licensee submit to and complete the tests. Drivers are
presently required only to submit to the tests. If the driver is unable to
perform or complete the test of his choice he would be required under this
proposal to select either of the two alternative tests that can be performed
and completed.
2. That any person who is incapable of indicating a refusal by either
words or actions shall be deemed not to have withdrawn consent.
3. That the four issues to be heard under the law also be covered by
the officer's statement. Presently only two issues are required in the
officer's statement.
4. That the reference to holding a hearing within 15 days be deleted.
This time spm is usually impossible to meet.
5. That the reference to giving notice be changed to comply with
Section 23.
Need:
6. That the officer's statement be made on a form furnished or
approved by the department and that it be admissible as evidence.
7. That hospitals as well as physicians, nurses and technicians be
exempt from liability as a result of the proper administering of a blood
test when requested in writing by a peace officer.
Need:
To overcome objections from courts, enforcement agencies,
attorneys, hearing officers and hospitals.
und
BECH
STudy
Fiscal Impact:
Those changes would produce some savings in the cost of
administering the Implied Consent Lew.
Legislative History:
Suggested Author:
Assemblyman V. Craig Biddle
Gov. Off. Use
United
1.10.68
Agency:
Bill Control Ro.
Business & Transportation
e: Certified inspection and repair of safety equipment on used
B108
cars by dealers prior to resale,
ription: Legislation would require that used cars be inspected, repaird and
rtified as safe as a condition of sale.
Automobile dealers should be required to issue the buyer of every used car a
rtificate of safety -- stating that certain specified equipment has been in-
ected and is (a) either in safe operating condition or (b) has been replaced by
fe components. The certificate would include a check list of items included in
e safety inspection (lights, brakes, glass, windshield wiper and blades, etc. );
ese items to be determined by the California Highway Patrol.
The certificate would be issued under penalty of loss of license should the
aler make false or misleading statements regarding the safe condition of the
hicle. If a buyer felt he had a complaint, he would bring it to the attention
the Department of Motor Vehicles dealer licensing division for proper review
d action.
tires
3:
The State should act to insure that, insofar as possible, unsafe vehicles
kept off public streets and highways. Many older vehicles are not in safe
chanical condition; quite a few of the older cars are traded in and resold and
erated on our highways as used cars. This provides a key point for safety
lecks.
Impact:
inlative Hotory:
gented
Gov. OTT. Une
Into
late
G.C. huce
Man Sandshin
12/25
Agency
Date
REQUEST FOR ALENOVED @ PROFOSED INCISTATION
Agency:
Bill Control No.
Business & Transportation
Creation of an advance (pilot) facility for development of on-
107
te passenger veh. inspection system (ref. Gov's address. before
affic Safety Conference, Dec. 14, 1967.
riglion:
gislation be drafted and supported which would establish a pilot facility to
velop the criteria for on-site inspection installations. These criteria would
clude the various standards and types of tests and testing equipment which would
recommended to the legislature for approval and enactment, including licensing
quirements for those garages and stations which seek to qualify as official
hicle inspection stations.
The test facilities would be located at and operated by the Institute of Traffi
d Transportation Engineering (ITTE), Richmond Field Station, U.C. (Berkeley).
gislation would not only appropriate from the Motor Vehicle Fund certain funds fo
e test facility but also permit the receipt of grants, contracts and other
sistance from the private and independent sectors to help finance the project.
The random mandatory vehicle inspection program, as presently being conducted
the California Highway Patrol, would be continued pending the completion of the
st project.
a:
Many of the vehicles on California's roads and highways are unsafe due to
chanical deficiencies. The State has a responsibility to require that these
chicles be put in safe condition or be removed from the public roads. This
esponsibility becomes more imperative as speeds increase and traffic becomes
)re congested.
The Federal Government has made periodic vehicle inspection compulsory under
federal highway safety standards it is promulgating. It has granted California
temporary waiver so that we can continue our random, mandatory roadside vehicle
nspection on the basis of a demonstration project. However, there is little
estion that the federal government will not continue this waiver indefinitely;
urthermore, it is doubtful that roadside inspection, of itself, is capable of
ompleting the thorough safety analysis which is essential for today's complex
itomobiles.
There is, therefore, a need for California to develop a meaningful and
phisticated on-site vehicle inspection system. Inspection systems in operation in
ther states do not fill the need and leave much to be desired in terms of effectiv
ficient inspection; many systems leave the motorist easy prey to the unscrupulous
unqualified mechanic.
We should move now to establish a test facility to develop a meaningful, soph-
sticated inspection system utilizing all available technological knowledgeavail-
le from the aero space and automotive industries, plus the sciences of electronic
halysis and digital computers.
(Cont'd next page)
send
Prof. Harmer Davis, ITTE, has been asked to present a prospectus
on the project, including time and funds necessary.
dolative Histovy:
Gov. 051. Une
mile
Date
G.C.
MaraSmastin
12/26/67
-2-
Need: (Cont'd)
Such an innovative system would protect the California motorist from the
harrassment of an expensive and relatively meaningless (and often misleading)
vehicle inspection, would protect the motorist from the unscrupulous garage,
reduce the amount of expense, time and inconvenience involved in vehicles
inspection, and would also accomplish the primary aim which is to keep as many
unsafe vehicles as possible off the road.
By engaging now in the development of a sophisticated, meaningful inspection
system we will be ready when the federal government cancels its waiver, and
will provide our people with the most advanced and beneficial vehicle inspection
program in the nation.
REQUEST FOR ABTROVAL 08 PROFOSED DEPARTMENT NEWT, NACISIANCE:
Himmt:
Agency:
Bill Combrol lic.
BUSINESS AND TRANSPORTATION
B106
T-MORTEM BLOOD EXAMINATION IN VEHICLE RELATED DEATHS
ciption:
[uires the coroner or his appointed deputy when notified of a death occurring
le the deceased was driving or riding in a motor vehicle, or as a result
the deceased being struck by a motor vehicle, to take a blood sample from the
ly and to make chemical tests to determine the alcoholic content, if any, of
è body.
1:
counties conduct such tests now however unless all counties conduct such
statistical validity of research is impaired.
Improb:
lolative History:
oposed similar to Bear's AB 818 (1967) which is attached.
justed Intion
Gov. orr. U.S
Date
Gc.'wee
Date
12/26
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-1067 REGULAR SESSION
ASSEMBLY BILL
No. 818
Introduced by Assemblyman Bear
February 28, 1967
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH
An act to add Section 27401.25 to the Government Code and
to add Section 7303 to the Health and Safety Code, relating
to dead bodies.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
1
SECTION 1. Section 27491.25 is added to the Government
2 Code, to read:
3
27491.25. The coroner, or his appointed deputy, on being
4 notified of a death occurring while the deceased was driving
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL/S DIGEST
AB 818, as introduced, Bear (Pub.II.). Dead bodies.
Adds See. 27491.25, Gov.C., adds Sec. 7303, II. & S.C.
Requires the coroner or his appointed deputy when notified of a
death occurring while the deceased was driving 01 riding in a motor
vehicle, or as a result of the deceased being struck by a motor vehicle,
to take a blood sample from the body and to make chemical tests to
determine the alcoholic content, if any, of the body. Makes provisions
inapplicable to bodies of persons under the age of I5 years unless the
surrounding circumstances indicate the possibility of alcoholic con-
sumption, or when the death has occurred more than 24 hours after
the accident.
Requires the retention and preservation of the blood sample for a
one-year period if the deceased has a history of drug usage or there
is any indication of drug usage for the purpose of determining the
presence of sedatives, tranquilizers, antihistamines. or stinulants.
Prohibits an embalmer embalming a human body when he has in-
formation reasonably indicating the death has occurred while the de-
ceased was driving or riding in a motor vehicle. or as a result of the
deceased being struck by a motor vehicle, until permission of the cor-
oner, his appointed deputy, or a judge in the county, if there is no
coroner, has been obtained.
Vote-Majority; Appropriation-No; State Expense-No.
AB 818
-2- -
1 or riding in a motor vehicle, or as a result of the deceased
2 being struck by a motor vehicle, shall take a blood sample
3 from the body of the deceased before it has been prepared for
4 burial and make appropriate related chemical tests to de-
5 termine the alcoholic content, if any, of the body.
6
The detailed medical findings, resulting from such an ex-
7 amination, shall either be reduced to writing or permanently
8 preserved on recording dises or other similar recording media
9 and shall include all positive and negative findings pertinent
10 to the presence or absence of any alcoholic content.
11 This section shall not apply to the testing of deceased per-
12 sons under the age of 15 years, unless the surrounding cir-
13 cumstances indicate the possibility of alcoholic consumption,
14 nor shall it apply when the death has occurred more than 21
15 hours after the accident.
16
The blood sample shall be retained and preserved for a one-
17 year period, if the deceased has a history of drug usage or
18 if there is any indication of drug usage for the purpose of
19 taking tests to determine the presence of sedatives, tranquil-
20 izers, antihistamines, or stimulants.
21 SEC. 2. Section 7303 is added to the Health and Safety
22 Code, to read:
23 7303. No embalmer shall embalm a dead human body when
24 he has information reasonably indicating the death has OC-
25 curred while the deceased was driving or riding in a motor
26 vehicle, or as a result of the deceased being struck by a motor
27 vehicle, until permission of the coroner; his appointed deputy
28 coroner, or a judge in the county, if there is no coroner, has
29 been obtained.
0
street:
Agency:
BUSINESS AND TRANSPORTATION
3:
B105
PRESUMPTIVE LIMITS FOR DRUNKENESS
ription:
;cablis 3S rebuttal presumption that a person with a 0.10 blood alcohol rating
; under the influence of an intoxicating liquor. Persons with rating of 0.05 or
ess are presumed scher. Where the test results are between 0.05 and 0.10 no
resumption arises and the rating is treated merely as evidentiary along with
ther facts such as slurred speech, etc.
d:
lcohol - the "had been drinking driver" is involved in approximately 35% of all
acal accidents in California. This means that between 1,500 and 2,000 people
ied in automobile accidents because of alcohol affected drivers. More effective
nforcement tools is one means of reducing this toll.
lization of these nationally recognized standards will help provide an
bjective standard for intoxication thereby assuring dismissals and convictions on
II equal basis (i.e. we would not be as dependant upon the quality or whims of
ury, court, prosectuion or defense). The accused's right to due process is
rotected by his opportunity to rebut the presumption and show that a 0.10 rating
id not mean drunkeness in his case.
seed Inpued:
NONE
piolative Rictory:
enator Collier's SB 41 (1965), which is attached, attempted to establish
imilar presumption.
Gov. orr. Une
agented
Date
Date
12/26
Date
Agency Head:
Into
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 23, 1965
SENATE BILL
No. 41
Introduced by Senator Collier
January 7, 1965
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
An act to add Section 23126 to the Vehicle Code, relating to
drunk driving.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
1
SECTION 1. Section 23126 is added to the Vehicle Code, to
2 read:
3
23125. (a) Upon the trial of any eivil 02 criminal action
4 or proceeding preliminary proceeding in a criminal detion
5 arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any per-
6 son while driving 00 to actual physical of a vehicle
7 while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, the amount of
S alcohol in the person's blood at the time alleged as shown by
9 chemical analysis of his blood, breath, or urine OF other bodily
10 substance shall give rise to the following presumptions:
11
(1) If there was at that time 0.05 percent or less by weight
12 of alcohol in the person's blood, it shall be presumed that
13 the person was not under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
14
(2) If there was at that time in excess of 0.05 percent but
15 less than 0.10 percent by weight of alcohol in the person's
16 blood, such fact shall not give rise to any presumption that
17 the person was or was not under the influence of intoxicating
18 liquor, but such fact may be considered with other compotent
19 evidence in determining whether the person was under the
20 influence of intoxicating liquor.
21
(3) If there was at that time 0.10 percent or more by weight
22 of alcohol in the person's blood, it shall be presumed that the
23 person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
24
(1)
25
(b) Percent by weight of alcohol in the blood shall be based
26 upon milligream grams of alcohol per 100 entie contimetors of
27 blood.
SB 41
2
1
(5)
2
(c) The foregoing provisions shall not be construed as lim-
3 iting the introduction of any other competent evidence bear-
4 ing upon the question whether the person was under the in-
5 fluence of intoxicating liquor.
6
(b)
7
(d) Only a physician, registered nurse or qualified labora-
8 tory technician acting at the request of a peace officer may
9 withdraw blood for the purpose of determining the alcoholic
10 content therein. This limitation shall not apply to the taking
11 of breath or urine specimens.
12
(e)
13
(e) The person tested may, at his own expense, have a
14 physician, registered nurse OF, qualified laboratory technician,
15 or any other person of his own choosing administer a chemical
16 test test, in addition to any administered at the direction of
17 a peace officer, for the purpose of determining the amount of
18 alcohol in his blood at the time alleged as shown by chemical
19 analysis of his blood. breath or urine The failure or inability
20 to obtain an additional test by a person shall not preclude the
21 admission of the test taken at the direction of a peace officer.
22
(d)
23
(j) Upon the request of the person tested full information
24 concerning the test taken at the direction of the peace officer
25 shall be made available to him or his attorney.
26
(g) No physician. registered narse or qualified laboratory
27
technician shall incur any civil or criminal liability as a result
28 of the proper administering of it blood test when requested by a
29 peace officer to administer such a test.
0
RECONST
FOR
Agency:
Bill Control No.
Business & Transportation
0: Creation of a Calif. Center for Traffic Safety Research ref.
B104
v's address before Traffic Safety Conference, Dec. 14, 1967
Legislation should be drafted and sponsored which would create 2 public,
n-profit corporation to be known as the California Center for Traffic Safety
search. The Center to be administered by a Board of Directors appointed by the
vernor from specified areas of society and for specified terms. The directors
the departments of Motor Vehicles, Public Works and the Highway Patrol should be
mbers of the board, among others. The Governor, Secretary of Business and
ansportation, and the chairmen of the Assembly Transportation and Commerce
mmittee and the Senate Transportation Committee should be ex officio members of
.e Board.
The Center would be administered by a staff authorized by the Board and under
e operational direction of a President or Executive Vice President and General
nager as designated by the Board.
The Center should acquire and operate certain physical facilities and equip-
nt as determined by the Board and approved by the Legislature. These facilities
uld include buildings, equipment, and sufficient ground to provide test tracks,
ash pads, and road material testing lanes.
(Cont'd next page)
6:
The traffic accident is the number one killer of our citizens under 21 years of
;e; the number two killer of citizens between 21 and 25 years of age and the fourt
tjor cause of death in the nation. Last year in California 4,830 citizens were
illed and 230,000 injured on our highways. The figures for 1967 will be approxim-
tely the same.
Research in traffic safety is (a) woefully inadquate and (b) presently unco-
rdinated and scattered. We are not getting the argest possible cost-benefit from
research dollar. Much of the purpose and validity of the research now in pro-
ress can be challenged and many of the serious (pressing) problems in traffic
fety are not being professionally researched. We have spent much to catalogue
uses, far too little to concieve the cures. We are not utilizing the latest
indings in the various disciplines (medical and behavioral sciences, for example).
If we are to have any measurable impact on traffic death and accident rates, we
achieve a meaningful interaction between the various factors involved in
raffic safety research; human factors (stress-reaction driver training, training
motivation) mechanical factors (the vehicle, its components and equipment,
ehicle trauma) ; roadway design and engineering (including furniture), and the
tire area of communications.
California, with more cars, more drivers, more roads -- and more traffic deaths
than any other state, should take the lead in developing such a coordinated,
teracting and sophisticated traffic research program.
(Cont'd next page)
Inpect:
No firm estimate is available at present. No general fund would
be used however, with state contribution coming from Motor Vehicle Fund.
It anticipated that private and independent sectors will provide a significant
share.
vislative Ristory:
mested And/or:
Gov. OTH. Une
Into
late
E.C. huce
Mara Santstan
12/26
TTACHMENT #1
Description: (Cont'd)
The Center should be affiliated with the University of California; however,
the Center is not to be under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents of the
Iniversity, or any Chancellor; it must be kept free and apart from academia.
'erhaps a member of the Board of Regents should be appointed to the Center's
Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors of the Center should be empowered to accept grants,
;ifts and bequests and authorized to enter into contracts with public, private
ind independent agencies.
The departments of the Center shall include but not be limited to: human
factors (medical and behavioral and communications sciences) ; mechanical
factors ( (the vehicle and its equipment), and roadway (design, engineering and
testing).
ATTACHMENT #2
Need: (Cont'd)
Through the creation of a centralized and coordinated research center we
can achieve new breakthroughs and at the same time acquire a greater cost-
benefit ratio for our research dollar.
Through a public, non-profit corporation, we can engage in accelerated
research efforts at less cost and greater benefits to our citizens.
Such a public, non-profit corporation -- affiliated with but not under
the jurisdiction of the University of California -- would achieve great
prestige and effectiveness and would attract sizeable contracts from the
private and independent sectors (automobile and automobile parts manufacturers,
insurance associations, etc. ) as well as governmental agencies. (This year,
for example, we turned down several contracts offered to us by the Federal
Highway Safety Administration -- one on driver licensing techniques and one
on motorcycle safety. Governmental red-tape and intergovernmental contract
problems made it impossible to complete the projects within the specified time.
A public corporation, as suggested, could accept such contracts.)
There is the possibliity of federal grants for the establishment of such
a research center; however, the Center should be created with or without
such funds.
A meeting is being held on Jan. 11, with representativesof various agencies
and the University of California and the ITTE to discuss the problems involved
such as funding, facilities, staff, etc. Following that session we shall be in
a better position to present suggestions as to necessary appropriations,
funding, etc. )
REQUEST FOR API DVAL OF PROPOSED DEPARTMENT L LEGISLATION
Department:
Agency: Business
Bill Control No.
California Highway Patrol
and Transportation
Title: An act to amend Section 34500 of the Vehicle
B-30
Code relating to vehicles subject to CHP regulation.
Description:
Provides for regulation of two-axle trucks coupled with a semitrailer,
or pole or pipe dolly as well as two axle trucks coupled with a trailer.
Adds subdivision (f) to allow the Department to regulate two-axle
trucks transporting hazardous materials.
RECEIVED
DEC 1 9 1967
Transportation
Agency
Need:
This amendment closes the gap which was inadvertently left in the
original legislation. The existing section does not cover a two-axle
truck when pulling a pole, pipe or logging dolly or when pulling a
semitrailer which is very common in the transportation of automobiles.
The addition of subdivision (f) will make two-axle trucks while trans-
porting dangerous materials subject to the Depar tment of Transportation
regulations for the transportation of subject material, and which
applies now to all interstate traffic and all intrastate traffic
except two-axle trucks.
Fiscal Impact:
Since both amendments can be covered with a single printing of an
amended regulation, the cost to the Department should not exceed $400.
Legislative History:
There has been no previous bill amending this section in this manner.
Suggested Author:
Gov. Off. Use
Any member of either Transportation Committee.
APPROVED FOR
11-1-17
INTRODUCTION
H. W. SULLIVAN, Commissioner
Date
W.L.
California Highway Patrol
Gov. Office
Luce by
Marc Sandstrom
NOV 7 1987
Date: 12-14
GORDON C. LUCE, Secretary
Date
Business and Transportation Agency
The following recommendations are made for 1968 Legislative Change:
Amend Section 34500:
34500. The Department of the California Highway Patrol
shall regulate the safe operation of the following vehicles:
(a) Motor trucks of three or more axles.
(b) Truck tractors.
(c) Buses.
(d) Trailers, semitrailers, pole or pipe dollies, auxiliary
dollies and logging dollies used in combination with (a), (b), or
(c) above.
(e) Combinations e£ a twe-axle track and trailer er semitrailer
equipped with aaxiliary delly; eoupled tegether, exeeeding a teal
length 0 £ 40 feet-
Two-axle trucks when coupled either with a trailer; or a
semitrailer with or without an auxiliary dolly; or a pole, pipe, or
logging dolly and exceeding a combined length of 40 feet.
Add Section 34500:
(f) Two-axle trucks transporting materials defined and classified
as hazardous by the United States Department of Transportation (49CFR,
Parts 172 and 173) shall be subject only to those regulations relating
to such materials which are adopted by the department in accordance
34501
with Section 35401 of this division.
Traffic statety
AUTOMOBILES AND TRUCKS IN CALIFORNIA
There are 10,073,260 licensed vehicles in California
(not including motorcycles or trailers)
(This is more than any other State -
and fifth in the world after the U.S.,
the United Kingdom, West Germany and
Switzerland.)
There are 8,650,200 passenger cars registered in California
that's 88.4 cars for every mile of surfaced
road in the State.
(If all the cars in California were parked end to
end, they would extend for more than 20,000 miles --
or, they would make the greatest traffic jam in
history: eight lanes of bumper-to-bumper traffic
stretching from New York to Los Angeles.)
Incidentally, there are 4,550,000 licensed passenger cars
in Los Angeles county, alone.
That's 264 vehicles for every mile of surfaced
road in the county
and, if you've ever tried
to drive in Los Angeles at five o'clock in the
afternoon, you know what that means.
THE AUTOMOBILE AND MODERN CALIFORNIA
Obviously California, more than any other State, is a
state of wheels.
But, more importantly, modern California is -- in many
ways - a creation of the automobile.
The car - and the truck -- has permitted us to develop
our "horizontal cities" -- our spread-out, far-flung suburbs.
The tremendous out-reach of Los Angeles (a conglomeration of
suburbs tied together by freeways) and the fingers of living that
stretch north, east and south from San Francisco
these would
not be if it were not for the automobile.
The automobile has enabled our people to pursue the California
way of life - to break away from the old, cramped ways when
city life was pretty much compressed into long strips along the
railroad and major highway right-of-ways.
Because of the automobile, we have substituted the suburbs
for the warrens of imploded, high density, vertical cities.
Thus, the automobile seems to be not only an extension of
the individual, his self, his legs, his feet -- his vision; the
automobile is in fact an extension of a growing, searching and
vigorous society.
EMPLOYMENT IN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, CALIFORNIA
5.3% of all employment in California is in some way
directly related to the automotive industry.
The wages and salaries paid to these individuals
accounts for 5% of the total wages of all
industries
and, 10% of the total personal
income in California in 1966.
Manufacturing
- 30,000 employees in 37 automobile plants, warehouses
and laboratories in California
with a total annual payroll of $203 million.
(Approximately 10 percent of the
motor vehicles in the U.S. are assembled
in California.)
Sales and Services (Automobiles, Trucks, Parts, etc.)
One out of every six of our business firms in California
is in the automotive business. We have
2,500 franchised automobile dealers
employing 66,000 persons,
25,000 automotive retail establishments.
The total auto sales and service employment in California
is about 250,000 with an annual payroll of more than
$700 million.
-- 16% of all retail employment and 21% of all
retail payroll is in this field.
And, 22% of our total State revenues come from motor vehicle
users taxes.
HIGHWAY SAFETY
Key Points in Governor Reagan's Safety Program
All out campaign to rehabilitate or remove the chronic
alcoholic driver from our highways (AB 2538, passed in 1967)
Pace-setting demonstration project involving government agencies
at all levels, and working with private sectors and medical and
education professions.
Presumptive limits law - part of Governor's 1968 safety
program in legislature.
Improved and expanded driver education and training program
in secondary schools. (In cooperation with automotive and
insurance industries, Governor's Committee on Traffic Safety
sponsored the first Teenage Safety Drive in the nation -- 30 kids
from all parts of the State, driving from Sacramento to Los Angeles.
Perfect record; real success.)
Improved and expanded first aid training for peace officers;
in-depth survey of existing emergency medical services available
to motorists; pilot study on use of helicopters for roadside
emergency medical service. (Part of Governor's package in 1967)
Accelerated program to improve safety design of highways
and highway furniture -- turning hardware into software (new types
of light posts, sign posts, etc., which bend, break or shatter
more easily, thus reducing structural damage to driver, passengers
and vehicle).
2 2 2
Highway Safety (cont.)
Elimination of red tape and waste enabled California to
up-date some $100 million in highway construction -- used these
funds for concrete and steel instead of red tape and paper
shuffling.
Called for establishment of a California Center for Traffic
Safety Research -- a joint effort by government and private sector
to probe not only the causes but the cure of highway accidents.
(1968 legislature).
Call for a pilot facility to develop the most sophisticated
and effective vehicle inspection system in America. (1968)
***
VEHICLE INSPECTION SYSTEM
California and the Federal Government
In recent years, the Federal government has become
increasingly concerned about highway safety. California, like
many states, has been concerned and active in this field for
many years.
We welcome Federal participation as long as it is directed
toward partnership -- and not pre-emption.
We trust that the Federal government, like we, will base
its activities on constructive effort, facts, and solid research.
Hysteria and political expediency -- these are no answer to
highway safety.
One of the areas in which we -- and you - are greatly
concerned is the matter of passenger vehicle inspection.
In California, at the present time, we have what is known
as the random mandatory inspection system. Through this program,
our Highway Patrol conducts frequent and unannounced roadside
vehicle inspections. Over a period of a year, these inspections
check approximately 10 percent of our passenger cars.
At the time the Federal government announced their highway
safety standards -- including a standard for periodic vehicle
inspection -- we requested, and received, approval to continue
our random system on a demonstration project basis. We are
continuing that program.
At the same time, we are also embarked on a program to
develop the most sophisticated, intelligent and effective vehicle
inspection system in the nation. This year, if the legislature
permits, we hope to start on a pilot inspection facility -- a
model station which can lead the way to an honest, meaningful,
practical and economical system.
222
Vehicle Inspection System (cont.)
We will do this in cooperation with our own research
agencies and in cooperation with the automotive industry. The
system will utilize the wide experience of the automobile
manufacturers in their installation of sophisticated quality
control systems; and, the system will embrace the latest techniques
in analytical equipment, electronic and computer sciences.
Based on our work with the automotive industry to date --
we are confident that within a short period of time we can offer
our motorists - your customers -- an inspection program that
will be of real value
...
saving lives, preventing accidents,
avoiding property loss.
We look forward to the day when cars will be equipped
with built-in sensor components which will permit quick and
comprehensive safety inspections.
And, may I say that California's vehicle inspection system
should be licensed and operated under the free, competitive
enterprise philosophy. The State does have a responsibility to
keep its highways as safe as possible - but, it should not be
in the business of running garages.
***
1968 GOVERNOR'S GOALS
file
TRAFFIC SAFETY
ALCOHOLIC DRIVERS
Seek a "presumptive limits" law which would establish that
blood-alcohol contents which exceed a certain level mean
that the driver in question is presumed to be under the in-
fluence of alcohol; all presumptions would be rebuttable in
court.
Amend the Coroner law to require, in all counties, post
mortem blood-alcohol tests on all drivers and adult pedes-
trains killed in traffic accidents so as to have information
available for research.
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY
Endorse and support legislation requiring special licensing
procedures and special protective equipment for motorcyclists.
SCHOOL DRIVER EDUCATION TRAINING
Oppose any attempts to weaken program; work to improve quality
and extend of this program until every school district conducts
a meaningful, well-directed and effective program.
LICENSING PROCEDURES
Study possibility of permitting schools to certify students
as meeting the requirements for drivers' licenses.
Study possibility of automatically renewing "good" drivers'
licenses by mail while requiring poor" drivers to appear
in person for written and driving tests.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE
Implement provisions of 1967 law increasing first aid training
for sheriffs, deputies, policemen and firemen,
Continue survey now in progress of emergency medical
facilities and services currently available; implement survey
recommendations to provide proper facilities throughout the
state.
TRAFFIC SAFETY-2
VEHICLE REGISTRATION STANDARDS
Continue California Highway Patrol random mandatory
inspection program.
Develop an on-site vehicle inspection system.
HIGHWAY PLANNING AND DESIGN
Press for proper share of federal transportation funds to
continue planning and design research.
Continue making administrative economies in departments which
operate on motor vehicle and gas tax funds so that money will
be spent on concrete and steel instead of red tape.
INVOLVEMENT OF PRIVATE AND INDEPENDENT SECTORS
Press for establishment of the California Center for Traffic
Safety Research, a joint government, private- and indepen-
dent-sector venture. As a public, non-profit institution,
this could be funded with monies already being spent in an
uncoordinated way, plus monies from contracts and grants
from private organizations and companies. It would seek not
only the causes, but also the cures, for highway accidents
and would promote studies of the vehicle, the road and the
driver.
Welcome federal participation in the area of increasing
traffic safety as long as this effort was directed toward
partnership and not pre-emption.