PLEASE READ THE EMAIL FROM SPORTY BELOW MY MESSAGE … THANKS, NANCY
It was suggested to forward the email below from Sporty (Board Member) requesting that our members contact the senators on the Transportation Committee to ask for support of amended version of AB-51. As noted, they will only acknowledge they received it…they will not unless you are in their district. Unfortunately we don’t have any of our San Diego senators on the committee, but every email will count.
In addition, I don’t think it would hurt to send a copy of your email to your own CA State Senator. Give them a heads up that you sent a letter of support to the Senate Transportation Committee members. Here our San Diego County Senators.
Senator Joel Anderson (R) 38th District senator.anderson@senator.ca.
Senator Marty Block (D) 39th District senator.block@senator.ca.gov
Senator Ben Huesso (D) 40th District
OR find your Senator http://findyourrep.
Here’s a link to the bill language which was amended in the Senate on June 1, 2016: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.
Here’s the “meat” of AB-51 as amended:
Existing law requires, whenever a roadway has been divided into 2 or more clearly marked lanes for traffic in one direction, that a vehicle be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and not be moved from the lane until the movement can be made with reasonable safety.
This bill would define “lane splitting” as driving a motorcycle, that has 2 wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, as specified. The bill would authorize the Department of the California Highway Patrol to develop educational guidelines relating to lane splitting in a manner that would ensure the safety of the motorcyclist, drivers, and passengers, as specified. The bill would require the department, in developing these guidelines, to consult with specified agencies and organizations with an interest in road safety and motorcyclist behavior.
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YESNO
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.
Section 21658.1 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
21658.1.
(a) For the purposes of this section, “lane splitting” means driving a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, that has two wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, including on both divided and undivided streets, roads, or highways.
(b) The Department of the California Highway Patrol may develop educational guidelines relating to lane splitting in a manner that would ensure the safety of the motorcyclist and the drivers and passengers of the surrounding vehicles.
(c) In developing guidelines pursuant to this section, the department shall consult with agencies and organizations with an interest in road safety and motorcyclist behavior, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1) The Department of Motor Vehicles.
(2) The Department of Transportation.
(3) The Office of Traffic Safety.
(4) A motorcycle organization focused on motorcyclist safety.
So now that I’ve probably confused the hell out of you all, please do read the modified bill and support. Bottom line: It now authorizes by law the CHP to do what they were doing all along … providing guidelines for lane splitting. It does NOT make lane splitting legal or illegal in my opinion. Almost status quo.
Please contact me or Adam if you have questions.
Nancy