Assemblymember Lori Wilson (Courtesy photo, Vacaville Chamber of Commerce)
Governor Gavin Newsom has officially signed Assembly Bill 390, a measure authored by Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City), Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, to expand California’s “Slow Down, Move Over” law and better protect drivers and passengers stranded on the roadside.
AB 390 extends existing roadside protections — originally designed for first responders, Caltrans workers, and tow truck drivers — to include all motorists stopped on the side of the road with flashing hazard lights or other emergency indicators.
The bill is part of Wilson’s broader Transportation Safety Package, which has garnered strong bipartisan support throughout the legislative process.
“As Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, I’m committed to keeping people safe on California’s roadways,” said Wilson in a news release. “AB 390 is a commonsense update that reflects the real dangers people face when pulled over or stranded. I’m grateful to the Governor for signing this bill, and to AAA for their partnership in getting it across the finish line.”
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The bill responds to alarming statistics. Between 2013 and 2023, California saw a 60 percent increase in deaths involving people standing outside of disabled vehicles, placing the state second in the nation for these types of fatalities. AB 390 brings California in line with at least 24 other states that have already modernized their roadside safety laws.
In addition to expanding protections to all stranded motorists, AB 390 also updates outdated legal references to ensure all relevant public and contract-operated highway maintenance vehicles are covered under the law.
“As a leading road safety organization, we thank Assemblymember Wilson for introducing this life-saving legislation,” said Marshall L. Doney, President & CEO of AAA Northern California in the same news release. “We are pleased to see Assembly Bill 390 signed into law. We know this law will protect California drivers and those who provide them assistance when they are vulnerable on the roadside.”