Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) announced that his Assembly Bill (AB) 1115, designating a “school zone” on State Route (SR) 184 near Sunset Middle School, has been approved and signed into law by Governor Brown.

 

“Every family, teacher, and worker should be able to drive to and from school safely,” said Assemblymember Salas. “Designating this portion of the highway as a school zone will protect school kids and make this intersection safer for families and commuters, especially as the new school year begins.”

 

Earlier this year, Assemblymember Salas submitted a letter to CalTrans calling on the state agency to install safety precautions at the intersection. Signage and LED-lighting were immediately installed on Sunset Boulevard to warn drivers as they enter the highway. In July, CalTrans finally installed a four-way stop, proper signage, and reduced the speed limit on SR 184 to 25 mph.

 

The intersection at SR 184 and Sunset Boulevard is the main access point to Sunset Middle School.

 

Unfortunately, several tragic fatalities have occurred at the intersection leaving the community grieving and inspiring their call to action.

 

Vehicles travel along SR 184 at a high rate of speed – with the school right next to it. According to the Department of Transportation (CalTrans) about 1,200 vehicles pass through this intersection at peak hours every day.

 

AB 1115 gives the intersection the proper designation and culminates a community effort to make sure that people driving passed this intersection are safe.