Drivers might want to think twice before violating any traffic laws along 19th Avenue (Highway 1) because Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill to double the fines.

SB 1419, authored by State Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), declares the intersection of 19th Avenue and Junipero Serra Boulevard through Park Presidio at Lake Street a double fine zone for five years.

“I am thrilled that the Governor has signed this bill into law,” said Yee in a press release. “Finally, we now have the missing piece to the puzzle and can hopefully put an end to the loss of innocent lives, including students and elders, because of this high speed avenue.”

Yee has spent four years trying to make the dangerous highway a double fine zone. One of the bills was vetoed by Schwarzenegger and two were stalled in committees.

As some drivers may have noticed the past several weeks, Caltrans had closed several intersections on 19th Avenue to install pedestrian countdown signals and paint new striping of crosswalks. In June, a new speed limit was put in place from 35 mph to 30 mph.

The bill also designates Van Ness Avenue at Golden Gate Avenue to Lombard Street at Lyon Street a double fine zone area, another corridor that Yee believes to be dangerous for pedestrians.

“Public safety is my top priority and it is critical that we continue to ensure the safety of everyone on our roadways,” said Schwarzenegger in a press release. “This bill will help do just that on two dangerous roads in San Francisco.”

Last year in October, SF State student Sandy Kim, 21, was struck by a car and died at the intersection of 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard. A new left turning signal was put in the place on Sloat Boulevard the following month.

Yee’s office reports there were five deaths along 19th Avenue in 2007.

The bill takes effect on Jan. 1, 2009. Drivers will be looking at new fines ranging from $137.50 (speeding 1-15 mph over the speed limit) to $2,750 (for reckless driving causing great bodily injury).