BILL ANALYSIS SB 667 Page 1 Date of Hearing: August 22, 2001 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Carole Migden, Chairwoman SB 667 (Peace) - As Amended: July 20, 2001 Policy Committee: TransportationVote:18-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: Yes SUMMARY This bill requires, at each roadway intersection at which an automated enforcement system operates (to record and identify red light runners), the minimum yellow light change interval to be established in accordance with the Caltrans Traffic Manual. FISCAL EFFECT Minor costs, less than $100,000 statewide in FY 2001-02 and $50,000 statewide annually thereafter, to local agencies to comply with the yellow light interval requirement; these costs are reimbursable from the state. (General Fund) COMMENTS 1)Rationale . The author believes that some local agencies that have installed automated enforcement systems (a.k.a. red light cameras) have set the yellow light interval at roadway intersections to such a short duration that the intersection turns into a veritable red light trap. The author argues that the duration of the yellow light should be set at a level that reflects the characteristics and traffic patterns of each individual intersection. To this end, the bill requires the yellow light duration to be set at levels specified in the Caltrans Traffic Manual. The current yellow light standards in the Traffic Manual are permissive rather than mandatory. 2)Yellow Light Standards . The Caltrans Traffic Manual suggests that the yellow signal light be lit for specified intervals depending on the posted speed limit on the roads that come together at the intersection. Up to a 25 mph speed light, the SB 667 Page 2 yellow light interval should be set at 3.1 seconds, while at 50 mph, the duration should be 4.7 seconds. Analysis Prepared by : Steve Archibald / APPR. / (916) 319-2081