Item 27 - Councilmember Requested Item Related to a Speed Safety System Pilot Program

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Councilmember Requested Item Page 3 of 3 On Saturday, April 5, 2025, a single -vehicle collision involving a tree on Segerstrom Avenue near Griset Place resulted in the loss of five lives. The vehicle was traveling westbound on Segerstrom Avenue, passing through the intersection with Townsend Street at a high rate of speed. The vehicle entered a bend in the road on Segerstrom Avenue and appeared to have lost control, striking a palm tree on the raised center median on the passenger side. Three females were ejected from the vehicle. The driver and two other passengers were trapped inside the vehicle and required extrication by OCFA using auto -extraction tools, commonly known as the "Jaws of Life." Despite lifesaving efforts, the driver and three passengers were pronounced deceased at the scene. Another passenger who had been transported to a local hospital succumbed to her injuries a few days later. Just over three months later, on July 31, 2025, and less than a half -mile away, a single -vehicle collision at Segerstrom Avenue and Bear Street resulted in one death and one injury when a vehicle was traveling westbound on Segerstrom Avenue from Bear Street at a high rate of speed and veered off the roadway, striking a tree and a cinder block wall. The City of Santa Ana has established policy and taken steps to use modern technology to support safety and enforcement. In 2024, the Santa Ana City Council adopted the Santa Ana Vision Zero Plan and its goal to eliminate traffic -related fatalities and serious injuries in Santa Ana by 2040. Our city is ideally situated to implement and benefit from a Speed Safety Pilot Program. In conjunction with education and traffic engineering improvements, a Speed Safety Pilot Program can significantly reduce speeding, improve traffic safety, and prevent traffic - related fatalities and injuries. Speed Safety Pilot Programs can also reduce the amount of and potential impacts of police traffic stops. This item seeks to urge the State Legislature to amend AB 645 to allow the City of Santa Ana to establish a Speed Safety Pilot Program before 2032. I therefore request that the City Council direct the City Manager to direct City staff to draft and bring back a resolution for Council consideration at the April 21 City Council meeting that would be sent to Assemblymember Avelino Valencia and Senator Tom Umberg, requesting that the State Legislature amend AB 645 (Friedman) to allow the City of Santa Ana to establish a Speed Safety System Pilot Program as soon as possible. EXHIBITS 1. Text of AB 645 2. Text of SB 1297 SUBMITTED BY Councilmember Phil Bacerra CITY ATTORNEY CITY MANAGER CITY CLERK Sonia R. Carvalho Alvaro Nunez Jennifer L. Hall 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA - P.O. BOX 1988, M-31 - SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92702 TELEPHONE (714) 647-6900 - FAX (714) 647-6954 - www.santa-ana.org