SR-506-001-01 (3)
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fll)V 1 0 1987
California
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CA:RMM:jld091/hpc
City Council Meeting 11-10-87
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Santa Monica,
STAFF REPORT
TO:
Mayor and City Council
FROM:
City Attorney
SUBJECT:
Recommendation Regarding the Posting of Signs
Pursuant to the Anti-Gridlock Act of 1987
At its meeting on September 22, 1987, the City Council
directed the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance implementing
the Anti-Gridlock Act of 1987.
As discussed in this Staff
Report, it is the opinion of the city Attorney that no additional
local ordinances are necessary to fully implement the Act.
On September 18, 1987, Governor Deukmejian signed into law
the Anti-Gridlock Act of 1987 (Vehicle Code Section 22526). This
law seeks to eliminate various traffic problems caused by drivers
entering an intersection and being unable to clear the
intersection once the traffic signal changes.
Specifically,
Vehicle Code Section 22526 prohibits drivers from entering an
intersection or marked crosswalk, notwi thstanding any official
traffic control signal indication to proceed, unless there is
space on the other side of the intersection for the vehicle being
driven, without obstructing the through passage of vehicles from
either side. The law also extends this prohibition to drivers of
vehicles making a turn at an intersection and who are facing a
yellow signal. In addition, this law provides that a violation
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a parking violation and
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NO'J \ 0 1987
of this Vehicle Code Section is
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prescribes
increased penalties
for violations
at
posted
intersections.
With regard to municipalities, Vehicle Code
section 22526 provides that cities may erect appropriate signs at
the entrance to intersections indicating the prohibition against
"gridlock."
Vehicle Code section 22526 is self-executing.
It may be
enforced by the Santa Monica Police Department whether or not
signs are posted at intersections.
fines for violations are increased.
If signs are posted, the
It is the City Attorney's opinion that there is no need for
the city of Santa Monica to enact an ordinance in order to
commence the placement of gridlock signs at appropriate
intersections.
The Vehicle Code authorizes the Ci ty to post
anti-gridlock signs.
In addition, Santa Monica Municipal Code
sections 3328 and 3363, already give the Parking and Traffic
Engineer the authority to post signs such as gridlock signs at
appropriate intersections.
RECOMMENDATION
It is respectfully recommended that no additional local
ordinances by adopted to implement the Anti-gridlock Act of 1987.
PREPARED BY: Robert M. Myers, City Attorney
Joseph Lawrence, Assistant City Attorney
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