House Bill 25-476

SENATE:

• Albert Petty

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

• Henrietta Malone

• Adam Jenkins

• Margie Nichols

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This act may be cited as “The 2025 Road Safety Act”.

SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND DECLARATION.

The General Assembly of San Andreas finds that:

(a) The efficient and safe movement of traffic depends upon the unimpeded visibility of official traffic control devices (including signs, signals, and markings).

(b) Obstructions caused by vegetation, landscaping, or other objects pose a significant hazard by preventing drivers from clearly seeing and reacting to critical road information.

(c) Maintaining clear sight triangles at intersections is essential for drivers to accurately judge the speed and distance of approaching traffic, particularly at uncontrolled or partially controlled intersections.

It is in the best interest of public safety to establish clear, enforceable standards for the maintenance of clear sightlines along public roadways.

SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS.

As used in this Act:

(a) "Traffic Control Device" means any sign, signal, marking, or other device placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.

(b) "Sight Triangle" means the area adjacent to a roadway intersection, extending back from the intersection, which must be kept clear of obstructions to ensure drivers have an adequate view of approaching traffic. The dimensions of this triangle shall be determined and specified by the [State Department of Transportation (DOT)] based on engineering standards.

(c) "Obstruction" means any object, feature, or growth, including but not limited to trees, shrubs, hedges, overgrown grass, non-conforming fencing, or advertising material, or vehicle, that is of a height or size that significantly blocks the view of a Traffic Control Device or impairs visibility within the required Sight Triangle.

SECTION 4. PROHIBITION OF OBSTRUCTIONS TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES.

(a) General Prohibition. No person, property owner, or entity shall permit, establish, or maintain any Obstruction on public or private property that prevents the clear and complete visibility of any Traffic Control Device from the normal perspective of an approaching driver.

(b) Maintenance Responsibility. The San Andreas Department of Transportation, county road departments, or municipal departments of public works shall be responsible for the removal of any such obstruction located within the public right-of-way. Property owners shall be responsible for the removal of any such obstruction located on their private property.

SECTION 5. MANDATORY CLEARANCE OF INTERSECTION SIGHT TRIANGLES.

(a) Requirement for Clear Visibility. The San Andreas Department of Transportation shall establish and promulgate rules based on recognized engineering standards (such as those from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials - AASHTO) to define the minimum dimensions for Sight Triangles at all roadway intersections.

(b) Obstructions Prohibited in Sight Triangles. Except for utility poles, necessary traffic signs, and existing structures approved by the San Andreas Department of Transportation that meet sightline requirements, no obstruction taller than three (3) feet above the road surface shall be permitted within the defined Sight Triangle of any intersection. This includes landscaping, shrubbery, fences, piles of stored materials, vehicles, and other visual barriers.

(c) Enforcement on Private Property. If an Obstruction in a required Sight Triangle is located on private property, the local governing authority shall provide written notice to the property owner, requiring the removal or trimming of the Obstruction within [e.g., thirty (30) days]. If the property owner fails to comply, the local governing authority may enter the property, remove the necessary obstruction, and charge the cost of such removal to the property owner via a lien on the property or other lawful means.

SECTION 6. PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT.

(a) Any person or property owner found to be in violation of Section 4 or Section 5 of this Act shall be subject to a civil fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50) and not more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each separate offense. Each day an Obstruction is maintained after the notice period expires shall constitute a separate offense.

SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE

Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to Article II, Section 15 of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.

Bill Text