Press Conference Highlights Urgent Need in California Act to Tackle Extreme Speeding
SACRAMENTO, CA - Today, Senator Stern hosted a press conference for SB 1509, also known as “The NOT in California Act,” in anticipation of the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing for the bill on Thursday. SB 1509 is a significant measure aimed at cracking down on extreme speeding in the state. Senator Stern, alongside co-author Senator Roger Niello, and victims’ advocates Lili Trujillo-Pluckett, Lori Argumedo, and Damian Kevitt, gathered to shed light on the importance of this legislation.
Author of the bill, Senator Henry Stern expressed his commitment to road safety as the motivation behind the legislation, "SB 1509 represents a vital step forward in ensuring the safety of our roadways by holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions, we can prevent unnecessary loss of life and make our streets safer for all Californians."
The urgency of SB 1509 cannot be overstated, as recent tragic events across California underscore the pressing need for measures to address reckless driving behaviors. SB 1509 aims to curb such tragedies by holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions and implementing measures to deter speeding behaviors, ultimately working towards a safer future for all Californians.
Co-author Senator Roger Niello stated, “Speeding and reckless driving have reached untenable levels post-pandemic. We must do more to hold this dangerous activity liable. SB 1509 will provide for that needed accountability.”
Victims’ advocates Lili Trujillo-Pluckett, founder of Street Racing Kills and Lori Agumedo, Community Relations for the same organizations both shared stories in honor of loved ones they lost in street racing disasters.
“In 2013, speed shattered my world in seconds! It robbed my 16-year-old daughter of her life and her future, leaving behind family and friends heartbroken and devastated,” said Trujillo-Pluckett. “In the blink of an eye, speed can steal everything, leaving only memories to mourn. SB1509 can reduce speed-related crashes and prevent a parent from losing a child.”
Lori lost her niece in a street racing incident just 6 years after Lili, a traumatic bond they will forever share. “Over the past 5 years I have shared Bethany’s store with the youth and our communities with the intent of preventing this from happening to another family. Reckless driving is 100 percent preventable, and no one should lose their life in such a tragic way,” said Agumedo.
In 2023, the city of Los Angeles alone saw a 20-year high of 336 traffic deaths. Annually, the state continues to see an increase in traffic deaths. In 2020, 1,288 Californians died in speed-related collisions. The numbers are not yet complete for 2023, but if they mirrored the first six months of the year, we’re looking at over 4,000 Californians lost to traffic collisions. For the last four years, 30% of the state's collisions have been speed related.
Damian Kevitt, Executive Director of Streets Are For Everyone, also a victim of a wreckless driving, ended the press conference with a symbolic “die-in” to honor lives lost due to reckless driving. "California is facing a serious public health crisis on our roads due to traffic violence,” Kevitt remarked. “Drivers going well over speed limits, especially in school zones or shopping districts, pose a significant threat to public safety. The bill is the least we can do to rein in irresponsible and reckless drivers who blatantly disregard the safety of others around them."
SB 1509 Overview: Adds 2 points to driving records for those exceeding the speed limit by 26 mph or more on roads with a posted speed limit of 55 mph or less. (Fact sheet attached)
To watch the press conference: (276) Sen. Stern: SB 1509, The NOT in California Act - YouTube