09 LC
35 1086
Senate
Bill 32
By:
Senators Buckner of the 44th, Ramsey, Sr. of the 43rd, Stoner of the 6th and
Mullis of the 53rd
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Code Section 32-6-50, of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to uniform regulations governing the erection and maintenance of traffic-control
devices and the placement, removal, defacement, damaging, or sale of devices, so
as to authorize the Department of Transportation to establish rules and
regulations for the prevention or reduction of occurrences of dangerous traffic
congestion caused by a high volume of vehicles exiting the interstate highway at
certain locations during peak traffic times; to provide for other related
matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
The
General Assembly finds, determines, and recommends as follows:
(1)
There is a need in this state to reduce the number of traffic related injuries
and deaths by decreasing traffic congestion on interstate highways caused by a
high volume of vehicles exiting the highway at certain locations during peak
traffic times;
(2)
Decreasing or preventing traffic stopped on controlled access highways due to
backed up exit ramps will also lower emissions, improve air quality, and
increase the quality of life for Georgians;
(3)
An example of unnecessarily dangerous traffic congestion caused by vehicles
routinely stopping on the interstate highway occurs immediately adjacent to this
state's capitol where vehicles are exiting off of Interstate 20 onto Capitol
Avenue during peak morning hours;
(4)
During such peak traffic hours, northbound traffic on Capitol Avenue between
Interstate 20 and the state capitol moves extremely slowly, causing congestion
throughout the capitol hill area and further affecting traffic on Interstate 20
and the exit ramp onto Capitol Avenue;
(5)
Also, during these hours, the three southbound lanes of Capitol Avenue have
extremely little traffic; moreover, upon reaching the capitol and proceeding
further northbound on Piedmont Avenue, there are three or more northbound lanes
at all times; therefore, Capitol Avenue constitutes an unnecessary choking point
for northbound traffic;
(6)
It appears highly likely that the conversion of at least one southbound lane on
Capitol Avenue to a northbound lane, either during morning peak traffic hours or
permanently, could greatly improve traffic flow throughout the capitol hill area
and on Interstate 20 without impacting safety or having other adverse
effects;
(7)
This unnecessarily stalled traffic not only contributes to air pollution, causes
lost workforce productivity, and erodes the quality of life for Georgians, it
creates a life-threatening hazard to motorists which could easily be reduced or
eliminated; and
(8)
Situations such as this should be avoided, and the department should be charged
with the responsibility of taking action and leading the way for reducing such
unnecessary incidents of traffic congestion on our interstate highways
system.
SECTION
2.
Code
Section 32-6-50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to uniform
regulations governing the erection and maintenance of traffic-control devices
and the placement, removal, defacement, damaging, or sale of devices, is revised
by adding a new subsection to read as follows:
"(f)
It shall be the responsibility of the department to promulgate uniform rules,
regulations, and policies governing the placement and maintenance of traffic
signals, road markings, and other traffic-control devices, including lane
designations, in such a manner so as to prevent or reduce the occurrence of
traffic stopping on the interstate highways due to congestion at exits during
peak traffic hours. The department shall have authority to enter into
agreements with local governing authorities or take additional measures as
deemed necessary by the board to prevent or lessen the occurrence of vehicles
backing up onto interstate highways during peak traffic hours. The department
shall establish pilot projects to provide for the initial application of rules,
regulations, and policies adopted pursuant to this subsection, including but not
limited to the location affecting traffic exiting off Interstate 20 onto Capitol
Avenue during peak morning hours. The department shall take all reasonable
action to prevent the occurrence of traffic stopping on the interstate highway
due to traffic congestion at such location, including but not limited to
redesignating lanes during peak traffic hours for increased usage by northbound
traffic on Capitol
Avenue."
SECTION
3.
This
Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its
becoming law without such approval.
SECTION
4.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.