AB:1145 - Caltrans to do a "SAFETY STUDY", on Palms to Pines Hwy 74.

PETITION – LIVES ARE IN DANGER: This petition was originally started to create enforcement of the Semi-Trucks.  Highway 74, climbs several thousand of feet from the desert floor through the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains. It has many switchbacks and hairpin turns, with steep drop-offs and blind corners.  During the winter months, we have snow and ice on our roads that make it even more dangerous for semi-trucks/tractor trailers to be on Hwy 74. Our lives are in DANGER - with these semi-truck/travel trailers.  We have had numerous situations of dodging these semi-trucks when they go into our lane.  Highway 74 has an urgency for truck safety changes that could help saves lives. On the morning of October 31st Tristin Bourgeois was driving Hwy 74 to work.  A double trailer semi-truck carrying sand was heading down Hwy 74.  The truck driver lost control as his semi-truck trailer(s) overturned and killed Tristin.    He was ONLY 27 years old and was just beginning his life with his beautiful family. This has forever changed our family and we will never be the same.  This CRASH, could have been prevented if we had restrictions/laws in place for these semi-trucks/tractor trailers. The semi-truck was not delivering any products on our As of right now, we do not have any limitations to Semi-trucks/tractor trailers in regards to slope gradient and the dangers that it possess.  Semi-trucks & tractor-trailers take a significant amount of time to be able to stop and or pull over.  If you have one behind you, you are in DANGER.  We need to have a FIRM LIMIT ON SLOPE GRADIENT FOR SEMI TRUCKS/TRACTOR TRAILERS.  I read on a PJAMM Website (Hardest Cycling Climbs In The World) The steepest quarter mile on Hwy 74 is 8.3%.  This is traveling down from Vista Point where Tristin Bourgeois lost his life.  On another note these bicyclist that ride up/down Hwy 74 are also creating dangers and we are looking into solutions to restrict. This is not only just a passion because Tristin Bourgeois lost his life on October 31, 2024 and is my step-son.  A huge responsibility  has landed in our lap.  The public's safety is at stake and we will use this tragedy and use it for good with saving lives on Hwy 74.  These semi-trucks/tractor trailers are creating danger in multiple situations. ·        Bypassing the weigh stations ·        Loss of brakes dues to the steep slope gradient. ·        Creating pothole(s) due to weight of these semi-trucks/tractor trailers. We demand some of these changes to be the following: ·        Portable weigh station commonly known as Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility where CHP inspects the weight of the trucks. ·        Vehicle Code changes  for maximum slope gradient for Hwy 74. ·        Caltrans to enforce restrictions on weight/lengths for semi-trucks/tractor trailers.   ·        Caltrans to put up better signage for truck drivers. They need to know where to pull out for the safety of the public.  ·        GPS Alert system for semi-trucks/tractor trailers of certain weight semi-trucks/tractor trailers to  NOT take Hwy 74.  We can receive information of crashes/grid lock so I know that this is possible. One life lost is too many.

 #Justice4Tristin…. CONTACT - Your representatives they work for us, and let them know your concerns: Glenn Miller gmiller@indio.org Ashley Yanez - office of assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez Ashley.yanezasm.ca.gov Tony Tavares tony_tavares@dot.ca.gov (Caltrans) V Manual Perez jcperez@rctlma.org Ann Oleary - Ann.oleary@gov.ca.gov  California Governor Gavin Newsom's Chief of Staff