[ST] [spam][long][politics] SB1021 - asking for your help...

[Marc Danziger <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Folks, I'm emailing my motorcycle lists to ask that you please support 
SB1021 - a California bill which penalizes drivers who injure people by 
violating their right of way.

Sen. Debra Bowen, who carried the bill legalizing foam earplugs, has 
proposed a bill that will add penalties for violating right of way and 
injuring (or killing) someone.

You can see the text of the bill (as it stands today) at

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_1001-1050/sb_1021_bill_20050222_introduced.html

Basically it makes the penalty for causing an accident by violating 
someone's right-of-way and injuring them roughly the same as reckless 
driving.

It's not done. The penalty levels are too low, there is no explicit 
penalty for killing someone, and the eduication component we've 
discussed (which emphasizes right of way in educational materials 
prepared by the state) aren't in the bill yet; we're working to get 
those in as a part of the process.

The bill is officially supported by the AMA, ABATE and the MSF, as well 
as the California Bicycle Coalition. The CHP is officially 'neutral' 
(they don't support much) and AAA looks like it will be neutral as well. 
I'm also looking for pedestrian/runner organizations to reach out to - 
let me know if you know of any.

This bill was based on a proposal from a California motorcyclist (me), 
who spent about a year researching achievable options for making riding 
safer. Reducing the number of drivers who violate our right of way 
seemed like a pretty high-impact change to make.

The California Senate Transportation and Housing Committee will hear the 
bill for the first time on the afternoon of April the 19th.

I’m asking people to do three things:

* send a short fax supporting the bill to the committee to the attention 
of their staff member;
* send a short fax supporting the bill to the Senators on the Committee;
* send the same fax to your own Senator, asking them to support the bill 
and contact members of the committee.

We all know people who have been killed or injured by drivers who turned 
left, changed lanes, ran stop signs or red lights, or pulled into 
traffic, violating the riders right of way - and the drivers maybe got a 
traffic ticket. Use names and tell stories. Be calm, be friendly, be 
positive.

If you can’t send faxes, send an email. But a signed fax is worth 10 or 
more emails, and is well worth the effort.

Send it to:

California Senate Transportation and Housing Committee
Carrie Cornwell (carrie.cornwall@xxxxxxxxxx), Chief Consultant
State Capitol, Room 2209
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax (916) 445-2209

- Write me, and let me know if you've sent a fax or emailed...!!

Marc Danziger
SB1021@xxxxxxxxxxxx



Here are the committee members, in case you're willing to send more faxes:

Senator Tom Torlakson (Chair)
D - Concord
(916) 445-6083
Fax (916) 445-2527

Senator Roy Ashburn
R - Bakersfield
Phone: (916) 445-5405
Fax: (916) 322-3304

Senator Denise Ducheny
D - San Diego
(916) 445-6767
Fax (916) 327-3522

Senator Alan Lowenthal
D - Long Beach
(916) 445-6447
(916) 327-9113 fax

Senator Abel Maldonado
D - Monterey
Phone: 916-445-5843
Fax: 916-445-8081

Senator Kevin Murray
D - Los Angeles
(916) 445-8800
Fax (916) 445-8899

Senator Joe Simitian
D - Palo Alto
Phone: (916)445-6747
Fax: (916) 323-4529

Senator Tom McClintock (Vice-Chair)
R - Thousand Oaks
Phone: (916) 445-8873
Fax: (916) 324-7544

Senator Gilbert Cedillo
D - Los Angeles
(916) 445-3456
Fax (916) 327-8817

Senator Christine Kehoe
D - San Diego
(916) 445-3952
Fax (916) 327-2186

Senator Michael Machado
D - Vacaville
(916) 445-2407
Fax (916) 323-2304

Senator Bob Margett
R - Glendora
Phone: (916) 445-2848
Fax: (916) 324-0922

Senator George Runner
R - Antelope Valley
Phone: 916-445-6637
Fax: 916-445-4662

Senator Nell Soto
D - Ontario
Phone (916) 445-6868
Fax  (916) 445-0128

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