Sacramento - Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 1384, a bill authored by Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) that would establish a safety enhancement double fine zone for Mission Street/Hwy 1 through Santa Cruz, as well as four other double fine zones along some of California’s most dangerous roadways. The bill called for doubling the base traffic fine for specified violations as an incentive to motorists to drive more safely.

“With his veto, the Governor is taking personal responsibility for establishing the next step in making roadways, such as Mission Street, safer for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians,” said Assemblymember Laird. “And from a fiscal perspective, I’m disappointed he has vetoed a viable and effective traffic safety enhancement available for local agencies at a time of fiscal crisis.”

The state Department of Transportation’s 2002 Double Fine Zone Report states that “when double fine zones are used with other (traffic safety enhancement) treatments, there are statistically significant reductions in fatal and injury collisions.”

“The double fine zone designation was to be a significant part of the city’s efforts to leverage the other traffic safety enhancements we have made and continue to make,” said City Council Member Emily Reilly. “After all the city has invested to improve traffic safety along Mission Street—in compliance with CalTrans’ report—I am troubled by the Governor’s inaccurate reasoning for vetoing the bill. Clearly, he’s made a regrettable decision.”

The Governor recently vetoed two other double fine zone measures and stated in his veto message that when implemented exclusively, double fine zones are ineffective and should be implemented “concurrently with enhanced enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and other traffic safety measures.” Yet, the bill specifically called for the double fine zones to be included with exactly those specifications.

Mission Street was recently widened from two lanes to four, resulting in higher vehicle speeds. In the nine period of June 1, 2004, to March 1, 2005, there were 55 accidents, five involving pedestrians and two involving bicyclists. Many children cross this roadway during the school year as an elementary, junior high and high school are located along Mission Street. Since its widening, increased enforcement, new signage, repainted lane lines and other improvements have been made. But more is needed to stem the number of traffic, bicyclist and pedestrian incidents along this roadway that is bordered by three local schools, residential homes and small businesses.

Other roadways included in AB 1384:

• Carmel Valley Road between Camp Stefani Road and its intersection with Highway 1
• Highway 101 between the Monterey/San Benito County Line and Boronda Road
• Highway 101 between Arcata and Eureka
• Highway 1 in the City of Malibu