In California, drivers run red lights daily, putting themselves and others at risk. It is a significant factor in severe injuries and traffic fatalities in California.

According to data from UC Berkeley’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS), in 2023 alone, there were 167 fatalities and nearly 1000 people suffered serious injuries due to red light running and traffic light violations.

While these numbers show a slight decrease from previous years, which saw 228 fatalities and more than 1000 serious injuries. These numbers highlight an ongoing road safety issue that not only affects drivers but also disproportionately affects vulnerable groups such as pedestrians, cyclists, and even children.

Therefore, a change needs to be made because of this urgent issue.

TODAY, Senate Bill 1509 (Stern) passed through the full California Senate with a 27 to 1 vote and now advances to the Assembly.

What is SB 1509?

In 2020, 1,228 people died in California from speed-related collisions, and in 2021, the number increased, with 1509 Californians losing their lives due to speeding. SB 1509 aims to increase accountability for drivers by increasing the number of violation points associated with driving 26 mph above the speed limit to two violation points.

Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 645, authored by Asm Laura Friedman and cosponsored by SAFE, Streets for All, and Walk San Francisco! This means changes coming to school zones and high-injury intersections starting in 2024…

In 49 other states, drivers have the option to use driving behavior (or "telematics") to determine their monthly premium. By using a mobile app, "dongle", or other technology, drivers can choose to enroll in a program that measures their vehicle speed, distracted driving, and other on-the-road factors. The result? Read on to find out what SAFE is doing to implement this in CA.