"Clear the Way" Campaign
I-880 Demonstration Project
Goals and Objectives
The goals and objectives of the sign demonstration are to:
- Educate motorists on the "Clear the Way" law;
- Decrease the number of secondary collisions caused by reduced speeds resulting from traffic impediments and rubberneckers;
- Reduce delay and loss of productivity caused by minor incidents; and
- Improve operational efficiency and mobility within a major trade corridor.
Take the Motorist Survey
A "Clear the Way" motorist survey has been developed to evaluate the potential impacts of the signs and the effectiveness of the overall campaign. In addition to being distributed by the FSP tow operators to motorists involved in minor non-injury traffic collisions along the I-880 corridor, you can also complete the survey by visiting www.fsp-bayarea.org.
The results of this demonstration project and its impacts on motorist behavior will be analyzed to assess the potential for statewide deployment of the signs and implementation of the "Clear the Way" campaign.
Background
On September 16, 1999, Senate Bill 681 amended Sections 20002 and 23113 of the California Vehicle Code. This amendment allowed motorists involved in a traffic collision resulting in minor property damage to move their vehicles off the main lanes of the highway to a safe location in the immediate vicinity of the accident.
Prior to SB 681, motorists involved in traffic accidents were required by law to "immediately stop" at the scene of the incident to exchange license and vehicle registration information. Failure to comply was punishable as a misdemeanor.
Five years following the enactment of the revised law, there continues to be minimal, if any, public knowledge of the new provision. The installation of "Clear the Way" regulatory traffic signs is proposed as a method to enhance motorists' awareness of this law. Project Overview
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), in partnership with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Golden Gate Division and Caltrans District 4, are conducting a signage demonstration project along the I-880 corridor to increase public awareness of the "Clear the Way" law.
"Clear the Way" signs will be deployed in 15 locations along the corridor. The length of the study area extends 20 miles from 7th Street/West Grand in the City of Oakland to Industrial Parkway in the City of Hayward. Please do your part: If you're ever involved in a non-injury accident, be sure to pull off to the side of the road and clear the way to help keep traffic moving. It will make freeway travel safe for you, safe for others and it's the law. If you have any questions about the "Clear the Way" Campaign on I-880, please contact Danielle Stanislaus at 510.817.5737 or email dstanislaus@mtc.ca.gov.
