Motorists May Pay Double for Tickets in School Zones

Gov. Gray Davis has signed a measure allowing Ventura and Santa Barbara counties to double traffic fines in school zones, a decision celebrated by proponents Wednesday outside a Santa Barbara elementary school.

The aim of the School Zone Pedestrian Safety Bill, written by Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), is to reduce the number of children struck by vehicles near schools.

“Both counties have very, very high rates of serious injury and death of young pedestrians and bicyclists,” Jackson said after speaking at Foothill Elementary School in Santa Barbara. “There is good reason for this bill.”

At least one state traffic study has shown that Ventura County ranks eighth statewide among all 58 counties in traffic injuries involving children under 15, Jackson said. Santa Barbara ranks 11th.

As dozens of youngsters entertained themselves on the campus playground, Jackson talked to a group of parents, educators and police officials about the bill, which was approved Tuesday.

The bill creates a six-year voluntary pilot program that will start in January. The additional revenue generated by the higher fines will be used by school officials to hire more crossing guards and create pedestrian safety programs.

Most schools have at least one crossing guard on duty during school hours but not all schools are legally required to post a guard, primarily because of low traffic levels and locations.

While the new program is voluntary, Jackson said supervisors in both counties have said they will adopt the measure. Alameda County was added to the program to include a Northern California community, Jackson said.

During the program’s tenure, California Highway Patrol officials will gather statistics on the number of fines imposed and the number of accidents. That information will be used to determine whether the program should be implemented statewide, Jackson said.