Tragedy May Spur On Wrong-way Crash Bill

Sacramento, CA — Following a horrific wrong-way highway crash early yesterday, a State Assemblymember seeks to fast-track a related bill he introduced this past winter.

After Tuesday’s fatal I-80 wreck that killed three people near the capital city region, Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez said he was angry and deeply saddened that more lives were lost due to a wrong-way motorist accident. “People are dying every week and California is lagging behind other states in efforts to prevent these crashes,” he stated. He indicated that he would schedule to shortly meet to discuss the issue with the California Department of Transportation (DOT) head and Assembly Committee on Transportation chair.

A related bill called AB 162, which Rodriguez introduced back in February, asks that DOT study wrong-way driving accidents and look at safety measures already pursued by other states. While it has been approved by the State Assembly, it awaits State Senate review. Rodriguez stated that he is prepared to add an urgency clause to the bill, so the state can begin taking action to help prevent further related tragedies.