SDCTA Supports Assembly Bill 1572 - Reform of SD SAFE
Current practice and spending of the SD SAFE is outside the scope of the original legislation, which allowed collecting fees for a call box system to promote motorist safety. SD SAFE collects substantially more funding each year than is required to sustain call box operations. AB 1572 proposes to dissolve SD SAFE and name SANDAG as successor authority, limit the amount of reserves that can be held for maintaining the call box system, and promote adherence to the original legislation. SD SAFE has not utilized its revenues and continues to increase both its reserves and spending on consultants despite the reduction in overall call box usage. Moving the program under SANDAG and limiting the amount held in reserves will allow for a more efficient management system and potential suspension of the fee.