Court Opinion

ID: 9628224
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 09:13:18.848548+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:07:00.799184
License: Public Domain

SCHAUBR, J.,
Concurring and Dissenting. — I agree with the majority in reversing the judgment in favor of Southern *489Pacific Company on its cross-complaint but I dissent from the order affirming the judgment in favor of the county of Alameda.
It is my view that to permit the county to recover over against Southern Pacific and Rock for damages which the county became obliged to pay to Cali by reason of the county’s negligent failure to perform its own direct obligation (to Cali as one of the public) to maintain the county road in a safe condition, will tend to encourage further laxity on the part of the county and its officials (and other governmental representatives) in carrying out their duties of inspection and maintenance of the public roads. (See dissenting opinion in City & County of San Francisco v. Ho Sing (1958), 51 Cal.2d 127, 138-142 [330 P.2d 802].) The majority holding in this respect, I believe, constitutes a clear violation of public policy; it will tend to increase highway accidents by depriving the traveling public of the conditions of safety which they are entitled to expect when using the public streets and roads in this state. I would, therefore, reverse the judgment in favor of the county.