California AB 2253 - 'Kim's Law' - Stalled
3 June 1998
California AB 2253 - 'Kim's Law' - Stalled in Appropriations Committee
SAN FRANCISCO, June 2 -- Citizens for Reliable and Safe
Highways (CRASH), expressed their disappointment with members of the
California Assembly Appropriations Committee today for stalling a bill this
year aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on the state highway system.
With 11 votes needed for passage, AB 2253 -- "Kim's Law" failed to exit the
committee on a 9-9 vote.
"Kim's Law," which passed through the Assembly Transportation Committee on
a 14-0 vote in April, would allow the California Department of Transportation
(CalTrans), in concert with the California Highway Patrol, to improve public
safety on California state highways by prohibiting certain big rigs from roads
on which they can not safely maneuver around tight curves.
A December 1989 CalTrans study identified 3,364 miles (22%) of the state
highway system which cannot geometrically accommodate big rigs with 40 ft.
kingpin-to-rear-axle lengths (KP-RA). On these sections of state highways big
rigs must "off-track" into opposing lanes or shoulders to make the curves,
endangering the safety of commuters and truckers. The only protection
currently afforded to California motorists driving these highways are signs
warning that certain big rigs are "not advised."
"This protection is clearly not enough," said Darlene Studdard a member of
Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways (CRASH), sponsors of the bill. "My
sister-in-law Kim Mosqueda and her unborn child were crushed to death by an
overlength truck that "off-tracked" into our lane on Thanksgiving Day in 1991.
My child and I survived the collision, but my husband suffered permanent brain
damage. I can't believe these legislators, including my own -- Mr. Ashburn
-- could not agree on a measure that will surely save lives and prevent
injuries."
CalTrans had previously urged the legislature to change the state law in
order to prohibit certain big rigs from these highways, but the legislature
had not acted on this public safety hazard until Assembly member Mike Honda,
(D-San Jose) authored AB 2253.
"Though we are very disappointed Kim's Law won't be enacted this year, we
are encouraged by the broad based public support the bill received statewide
and even more determined now to see it pass next year," said Mr. Honda. "We
shall continue working with CalTrans, the CHP and all interested parties to
more carefully craft a bill that will prevent the type of Russian Roulette
that driving these state highways has become. We can not allow innocent,
unsuspecting motorists to continue risking their lives on these roads."
In 1996, the last year for which complete statistics are available:
* California was #1 in the country for truck driver deaths with
80 professional truck drivers losing their lives on the job;
* California was #2 in the country for fatal truck crashes when
428 people died In catastrophic large truck crashes;
* There were 12,742 injuries from truck crashes in California.
"This committee outcome, though disappointing, was not entirely
unexpected," said Michael J. Scippa, CRASH Executive Director. "Those most
fearful that change would somehow affect their profits have a way of making
their special interests more important. They should be aware that their
lobbying dollars have only purchased a little more time before this law is
enacted statewide. I suggest they make the best use of that time by looking
at how to comply rather than how to circumvent a law we know is in the best
interests of all who use California highways."
CRASH is a nationwide nonprofit grassroots organization of over
43,000 members -- 5,600 in California -- working to make the highways safer
for all motorists, including truck drivers. To see how individual Assembly
committee members voted on the measure, or to view a list of groups supporting
"Kim's Law," please visit the CRASH website at http://www.trucksafety.org, or call
415-777-3942.