BILL ANALYSIS AB 1191 Page 1 ASSEMBLY THIRD READING AB 1191 (Shelley) As Amended May 1, 1997 Majority vote TRANSPORTATION 19-1 APPROPRIATIONS 21-0 Ayes: Murray, Baugh, Baca, Battin, Ayes: Migden, Poochigian, Ackerman, Bowler, Cardenas, Figueroa, Aguiar, Baca, Bordonaro, Havice, Lempert, Mazzoni, Brewer, Cardenas, Granlund, Morrow, Napolitano, Perata, Kuehl, Machado, Martinez, Poochigian, Prenter, Runner, Woods, Papan, Perata, Shelley, Scott, Torlakson, Wayne Sweeney, Takasugi, Thomson, Villaraigosa, Washington Nays: McClintock SUMMARY : Seeks to increase the minimum fine that can be imposed for failing to stop at a red traffic signal light. The bill also seeks to provide greater revenue to counties for the enforcement of those traffic provisions. Specifically, this bill : 1) Sets the minimum allowable fine for specified traffic infractions involving red signal lights at $100. 2) Adjusts the schedule of fines for those who are convicted of subsequent infractions within a one-year period. 3) Specifies that $80 from each of the above convictions shall go to local law enforcement agencies in whose jurisdiction the offenses occurred. EXISTING LAW provides that all court-imposed fines and forfeitures collected for crimes other than parking offenses, shall be divided according to a specified formula to the state, counties and cities. FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown COMMENTS : Notwithstanding the maximum and base amounts set in state law, fines for all moving violations are set by the state Judicial Council (JC). These fines are published and available to the public through the Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule. Each specific violation, such as failure to stop at a red traffic signal, is assigned a range within which the fines may be set. In the case of traffic violations involving red light signals, the JC has set the fine at $35. In addition to the $35 fine, assessments of $40 and $28 are added as authorized under Section 76000 of the Government Code and Section 1464 of the Penal Code, respectively. This brings the total to $103. Some local jurisdictions, impose their own fees. For instance, San Francisco County adds an additional $1 Night Court fee. Judges have the authority to lower fines on a case by case basis. According to the author, in 1995, California drivers who failed to stop at red AB 1191 Page 2 traffic signals caused collisions resulting in 238 deaths and 19,019 injuries. The author states that the current $104 fine for running a red light as set in San Francisco County is not an effective deterrent and that these types of infractions constitute one of the most serious traffic violations in the Vehicle Code. The author further points out that the current fine amounts and distribution schedules do not provide enough monies to local law enforcement agencies who are charged with reducing the incidence of these violations. Analysis prepared by : Andrew K. Antwih / atrns / (916) 445-7278 FN 031001