THIRD READING

Bill No: ACR 212

Author: Wilson (D), et al.

Introduced: 6/10/24

Vote: 21

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 67-0, 6/20/24 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Roadside Assistance Worker Appreciation Week

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution designates the week of June 23, 2024, to June 29, 2024, inclusive, and every third week of June thereafter, as Roadside Assistance Worker Appreciation Week.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

Roadside assistance crews put their lives on the line every day to help stranded motorists. The public’s health, safety, and well-being are often dependent on the commitment of roadside assistance crews to conduct invaluable operations on the side of our roads
An average of 24 roadside assistance workers are struck and killed by vehicles while working each year. Every year, roadside assistance workers and first responders are struck by passing motorists, often while aiding motorists and clearing roadway incidents, causing serious injury or death.
Traffic-related incidents are the leading cause of death for on-duty law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical service workers, maintenance workers, and towing professionals.
Many of these incidents could have been prevented if motorists had followed California’s move over law. California’s move over law requires drivers to move over a lane when approaching a stopped emergency roadside vehicle with flashing amber lights and, if unable to do so safely, requires drivers to slow down.
Roadside assistance workers still face daily risks associated with their jobs, as 23 percent of drivers are unaware of the move over law in the state in which they live. Among those who are aware of their state’s move over law, about 15 percent report not understanding the potential consequences for violating the law.
Recognizing Roadside Assistance Worker Appreciation Week reinforces public awareness of slow down, move over laws, which mitigate the daily risks encountered by these roadside assistance and service professionals.

This resolution designates the week of June 23, 2024, to June 29, 2024, inclusive, and every third week of June thereafter, as Roadside Assistance Worker Appreciation Week.

Comments

According to the Author, “On average, 24 emergency responders, including roadside assistance workers, tragically lose their lives annually due to vehicle collisions while working–equating to nearly one fatality every other week. Yet a concerning number of drivers surveyed remain unaware of laws enacted in California to protect roadside assistance workers. ACR 212 is a critical step to raise public awareness about risks faced by professionals working in roadside environments.”

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 7/26/24)

Automobile Club of Southern California

AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah

California Tow Truck Association

OPPOSITION: (Verified 7/26/24)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 67-0, 6/20/24

AYES: Addis, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bryan, Juan Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Valencia, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Aguiar-Curry, Bains, Bonta, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Mike Fong, Haney, Jones-Sawyer, Mathis, Petrie-Norris, Ting, Villapudua

Prepared by: Aizenia Randhawa / SFA / (916) 651-1520

7/31/24 15:31:00

**** END ****

ACR 212: Roadside Assistance Worker Appreciation Week.

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