Article 1. Traffic Safety of California Vehicle Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 1.

There is in this state, the California Traffic Safety Program, which consists of a comprehensive plan in conformity with the laws of this state to reduce traffic accidents and deaths, injuries, and property damage resulting from accidents. The program shall include, but not be limited to, provisions to improve driver performance, including, but not limited to, driver education, driver testing to determine proficiency to operate motor vehicles, and driver examinations and driver licensing, and provisions to improve bicyclist and pedestrian education and performance. In addition, the program shall include, but not be limited to, provisions for an effective record system of accidents, including injuries and deaths resulting from accidents; accident investigations to determine the probable causes of accidents, injuries, and deaths; vehicle registration, operation, and inspection; highway design and maintenance including lighting, markings, and surface treatment; traffic control; vehicle codes and laws; surveillance of traffic for detection and correction of high or potentially high accident locations; and emergency services.

The Governor may appoint a highway safety representative who shall serve in the Transportation Agency and who shall, in consultation with the Governor and Secretary of Transportation, prepare the California Traffic Safety Program. The Governor is responsible for the administration of the program, and has final approval of all phases of the program, and may take all action necessary to secure the full benefits available to the program under the Federal Highway Safety Act of 1966, and any amendments thereto. The highway safety representative serves at the pleasure of the secretary.

To the maximum extent permitted by federal law and regulations and the laws of this state, the Governor may delegate to the Secretary of Transportation and the highway safety representative the authority necessary to administer the program, and the secretary and the representative may exercise this authority once delegated.

The Governor may establish an Advisory Committee on the California Traffic Safety Program which shall consist of various officials of state and local government and other persons who are interested in the establishment of a comprehensive program of traffic safety in this state including, but not limited to, representatives of agriculture, railroads, the Institute of Transportation and Traffic Engineering of the University of California, the motor vehicle manufacturing industry, the automobile aftermarket equipment servicing and manufacturing industry, automobile dealers, the trucking industry, labor, motor vehicle user organizations, and traffic safety organizations.

The California Traffic Safety Program shall include a local traffic safety program designed to encourage the political subdivisions of this state to establish traffic safety programs consistent with the objectives of the California Traffic Safety Program.

On or before the fifth legislative day of the 1968 legislative session and each year thereafter, the Governor shall submit a report to the Legislature through such interim committee or committees as may be designated by legislative resolution. Such report shall include a detailed presentation of the California Traffic Safety Program, a statement concerning the progress made in implementing the program and recommendations concerning possible legislative action deemed necessary or desirable to implement the program.

The California Traffic Safety Program Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury to consist of the funds referred to in Section 2907.

Any funds which are appropriated by Congress for the purposes of carrying out Section 402 of Title 23, United States Code (P.L. 89-564; 80 Stats. 731) and which are apportioned to this state by the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to Section 402 of Title 23, United States Code (P.L. 89-564; 80 Stats. 731) are continuously appropriated for the purposes and uses of the California Traffic Safety Program.

The Governor shall apportion any funds contained in the California Traffic Safety Program Fund among the various state agencies and local political subdivisions as shall effectuate the purposes of the program, and, in accordance with any federal formula for apportionment or other federal requirements as contained in federal enactments, regulations, or standards promulgated by the Secretary of Commerce.

Any local political subdivision of this state, including, but not limited to, a city, a county, a city and county, a district, or a special district, is authorized to participate in a local traffic safety program within its jurisdiction if such local program is approved by the Governor; provided, however, that any local political subdivision may participate in a traffic safety program other than that promulgated pursuant to the federal Highway Safety Act of 1966.

Such local political subdivision may use, in implementing its local traffic safety program, any funds which are apportioned to it from the California Traffic Safety Program Fund by the Governor pursuant to Section 2908.

All traffic safety programs that receive state funds and that include public awareness campaigns involving emergency vehicle operations shall include in the public awareness campaign, information on the risks to public safety of peace officer motor vehicle pursuits, and the penalties that may result from evading a peace officer.