Stanford study looks at effects of AB60

We’re learning new developments about the impact of AB 60, a law that allows undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses in California. Researchers in a Stanford study believe it’s having a positive impact on road safety.

Since the law was enacted in 2015, 850,000 undocumented immigrants have received driver’s licenses in California. Luis Vasquez is one of them.

“With a license, I can take my children to school and go to work while having a sense of security,” Vasquez said.

The author of the bill, Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo, calls AB 60 a success story and said road safety statewide increased the first year AB 60 was in place.

“This study has shown there hasn’t been an increase in fatal accidents,” Alejo said. “There hasn’t been an increase in accidents overall, but also a decrease in hit and run accidents.”

Researchers said that in 2015, there were ten percent (or 4,000) fewer hit and run crashes. However, local authorities have different numbers.

The California Highway Patrol Monterey Division said there were 384 hit and run’s in 2014 and it’s gone up.

“In 2015, we had 392 hit and run collisions,” Officer Oscar Loza said. “And 2016, we had 498 hit and run collisions, so we saw a good increase in 2016.”

But it’s unclear if it’s related to AB 60 licenses.

Regardless, everyone can agree that more people are learning the rules of the road, which makes everyone safer.

“These are not folks that are just being given a license,” Alejo said. “They have to earn it just like everyone else. They have to pass the written exam, they’re having to pass the driving exam and they have to obtain auto insurance as the law requires that of everyone.”

“Our perspective is that if you have a license, you have to know the rules of the road, so in turn that would make you a safer driver,” Loza said.

As for Vasquez, he’s driving off with piece of mind.

“Nowadays, the fear of getting pulled over doesn’t exist anymore because I have a driver’s license,” Vasquez said.

Alejo also noted other benefits to AB 60. More people are insured, which is good news if you’re in a crash. And, Alejo said more people are signing up to be organ donors.