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Assembly Bill 1581 and Assembly Bill 1119 passed with unanimous consent

5/18/2007
For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Jeff Caligiuri (916)319-2032

Sacramento – The Assembly on Thursday approved two measures by Assemblymember Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield) that would enhance the safety of California’s roads for motorcyclists and would improve the standards of a diesel emission reduction program operated by the California Air Resources Board. Both measures, Assembly Bill 1581 and Assembly Bill 1119, passed with unanimous consent and are now headed to the State Senate.

Assembly Bill 1581 directs cities and counties to use traffic-actuated signals that are modified to recognize small vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles. The current settings for traffic-actuated signals, which use sensors in the roadway to monitor traffic and change lights at intersections, are unable to detect motorcycles and bicycles. These smaller vehicles, in order to cross an intersection, are forced to wait for larger automobiles to trigger the signal or to illegally run a red light. AB 1581 would require cities and counties to use the modified signals only when signals are installed or replaced and Cal-Trans has established guidelines for the detection of small vehicles.

“Our transportation network should be fully responsive to all vehicles, including motorcycles and bicycles,” said Fuller. “AB 1581 will improve the safety of our roads for every driver because small vehicles will be able to cross intersections and make left turns with greater ease.”

Assembly Bill 1119 requires the State Air Resources Board (ARB) to revise its criteria for determining eligibility for diesel emission control device projects to ensure competition for state grants. The legislation would help ensure that more than one company has the opportunity to qualify for state grant eligibility and would codify much of the ARB’s existing process to ensure that factors such as health and cost effectiveness are part of the selection process. Greater competition for these grants would significantly benefit consumers and the environment.

Assemblymember Fuller represents the 32nd Assembly District, which includes Bakersfield, Ridgecrest, Tehachapi, Taft, Kern River Valley and the Frazier Mountain communities.

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