BILL ANALYSIS THIRD READING SB 1802 Rosenthal (D) 4/21/94 21 SUBJECT: Automated rail crossing enforcement system SOURCE: Author ____________________________________________________________________________ DIGEST: This bill provides that may railroad and rail transit grade šcrossings may be equipped with an automated rail crossing enforcement šsystem if (1) it is designed to produce a clear photograph of the vehicle's šlicense plate and driver, (2) signs are posted which are clearly visible to štraffic approaching in each direction indicating the presence of the šenforcement system, (3) a law enforcement agency delivers notice by mail of šan alleged violation to the registered owner of a vehicle within 30 days of šthe violation, (4) the notice orders the person to appear within a time šperiod at least 10 days after the notice is delivered, and (4) no entity šother than a law enforcement agency operates such a system. ANALYSIS: Existing law requires the driver of any vehicle approaching ša railroad grade crossing to stop not less than 15 feet from the nearest šrail and not to proceed until he or she can do so safely (Veh. 22451). This bill specifies that the above restriction applies to rail transit šgrades as well as railroad grade crossings. The bill authorizes the use of automated rail crossing enforcement systems. š The bill requires that an automated rail crossing enforcement system must šbe designed to produce a clear photograph of the license plate and driver šof the vehicle, and must be identified by signs clearly indicating the š system's presence, visible to traffic approaching in each direction. The bill provides for a notice to appear to be mailed by law enforcement špersonnel to the registered owner of the vehicle, based on a photograph of šan alleged rail crossing violation, within 30 days of the alleged šviolation, and provides that the notice shall specify a time to appear that šis at least 10 days after the delivery of the notice. The purpose of this bill is to allow railroad and rail transit grade šcrossings to be equipped with an automated rail crossing enforcement šsystem. FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Committee: Yes Local: No SUPPORT: (Verified 4/28/94) Southern California Regional Rail Authority Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author's office, motorists šdriving through, under, and around rail transit gates have been the source šof frequent accidents on the Los Angeles Metro Blue Line. Between July š1990 and November 1993, there were 180 grade crossing accidents on the Blue šLine, resulting in 14 deaths. To combat the problem, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation šAuthority (MTA) is operating an automated enforcement demonstration šprogram. MTA has installed automated rail crossing enforcement equipment šat four grade crossings, and operated them since November of 1992. Data šcollected indicate that the equipment reduced violations by 65 percent in šjust three months, and the rate of violations is continuing to drop even šfurther as more motorists become aware that the equipment is in use. šSource: Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies have been integrally involved in the šautomated enforcement demonstration program, including loading/unloading šfilm and interviewing individuals receiving citations. Both the Los šAngeles and Compton court districts have agreed to participate in the šprogram. RJG:jk 4/28/94 Senate Floor Analyses CONTINUED