California Senate Bill SB109 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: SB 109AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 8, 2013 INTRODUCED BY Senator Corbett JANUARY 14, 2013 An act to amend Section 35110 of, and to add Section 35405 to, the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 109, as amended, Corbett. Vehicles: aerodynamic devices. Existing law limits the length of vehicles and combinations of vehicles coupled together. Under existing law, any extension or device used to increase the carrying capacity of a vehicle is generally included in measuring the length of a vehicle, subject to certain exceptions. This bill would exclude an aerodynamic device  , as defined,  that extends no more than 5 feet beyond the rear of a vehicle from the calculation of a vehicle's length if the device meets specified conditions, including that the device does not obscure tail lamps, turn signals, marker lamps, identification lamps, or any other required safety devices. Existing law limits the width of a vehicle to no more than 102 inches, with certain exceptions, including that a vehicle may have an aerodynamic device, as defined, that extends up to 3 inches beyond each side of the vehicle. Existing law prohibits an aerodynamic device from adversely impacting the vehicle's swept width and turning characteristics. This bill would instead prohibit an aerodynamic device from affecting the vehicle's turning radius, as defined, or interfering with the vehicle's ability to complete a turn. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 35110 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 35110. (a) Door handles, hinges, cable cinchers, chain binders, aerodynamic devices, and holders for the display of placards warning of hazardous materials may extend three inches on each side of the vehicle. (b)  (1)    For purposes of this  section:   (1)     "Aerodynamic   section, "aerodynamic  device" means a device that uses technologies that minimize drag and improve airflow over an entire tractor-trailer vehicle. These include gap fairings that reduce turbulence between the tractor and trailer, side skirts that minimize wind under the trailer, and rear fairings that reduce turbulence and pressure drop at the rear of the trailer. An aerodynamic device shall not have the primary purpose of advertising and shall not affect the vehicle's turning radius or interfere with the vehicle's ability to complete a turn. (2)  "Turning   As used in paragraph (1), "turning  radius" means the angle that the tractor can rotate relative to the trailer while completing a turn. SEC. 2. Section 35405 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read: 35405.  (a)    An aerodynamic device that extends no more than five feet beyond the rear of a vehicle shall not be included in measuring the length of the vehicle or combination of vehicles, if both of the following conditions are met:  (a)   (1)  The device does not have the strength, rigidity, or mass to damage a vehicle, or injure a passenger in a vehicle, that strikes the vehicle equipped with the device from the rear.  (b)   (2)  The device does not obscure tail lamps, turn signals, marker lamps, identification lamps, or any other required safety devices, including, but not limited to, hazardous materials placards or conspicuity markings.  (b) For purposes of this section, "aerodynamic device" has the same meaning as defined in Section 35110.