It’s the law
The new year brings new driving regulations
LAWS: ‘You don’t want flashing lights in your rearview
mirror’
Texting while driving is now illegal for all drivers in
California, not just those under 18, as part of host of new driving
laws that went into effect Jan. 1.
It’s the law
The new year brings new driving regulations
LAWS: ‘You don’t want flashing lights in your rearview mirror’
Texting while driving is now illegal for all drivers in California, not just those under 18, as part of host of new driving laws that went into effect Jan. 1.
The anti-texting law makes it an infraction to write, send or read text-based communications on cell phones or other wireless electronic devices while driving. Previously, this was illegal only for individuals under 18.
“The overall safety of the motoring public is our primary concern,” said California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Not only will these new laws enhance a motorist’s safety, many of them are a step toward ridding the roadways of drunk drivers and the tragedy they cause.”
The penalty for moving violations has increased by $35, traffic school attendance fees are up $25, fix-it ticket fees have increased by $15 and parking fees have jumped $3 under a new law written by Sen. Don Perata (D-Oakland).
Another law is designed to save money by protecting the purchaser of a used vehicle from having the pay the parking tickets of the previous owner.
A number of new laws address driving under the influence, such as prohibiting a convicted DUI offender from operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .01 percent or greater while on probation for DUI.
The minimum blood alcohol content at the time of arrest to trigger a requirement for the court to give “heightened consideration” for the installation of an ignition interlock device for a first-time DUI offender has been lowered from .20 to .15. These devices require drivers to have their breath tested under the legal limit for alcohol before their vehicle will start.
What’s more, the Department of Motor Vehicles may now require any driver convicted of driving with a suspended license due to a prior conviction for DUI to install an ignition locking device on any vehicle they own or operate.
As of this week, portable Global Positioning System (GPS) devices may now be mounted on the windshield of vehicles in one of two locations: a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield on the passenger’s side or a five-inch square in the lower corner of the driver’s side.
In response to news that clean air stickers were being copied and sold on eBay, State Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) authored a bill that prohibits the counterfeiting of the DMV-issued stickers, which authorize clean-air vehicles to use carpool lanes during peak hours without the required number of passengers.
Matt Skryja of AAA Northern California said motorists should educate themselves about the new rules before hitting the road.
“You don’t want flashing lights in your review mirror to be the first clue that the rules have changed,” he said.
Restrictions have been eased for vehicles transporting straw or hay on a highway, a common site in and around San Benito County. A new law allows individual pieces of straw or hay that “do not pose a threat to life or property” to escape from bales as long as those bales are loaded and secured according to federal restrictions.
The definition of a motorcycle has been altered by another new law that deletes the weight limitation and the separate definition for electrically-powered vehicles. The law now allows fully enclosed, three-wheeled vehicles to have access to high-occupancy vehicle lanes regardless of occupancy.
The penalty for misuse of the 911 telephone system – for any reason other than an emergency – has been upgraded to an infraction, making the offender subject to either a written warning or a fine.
Among the other new driving laws, which also include increased penalties for assaults on highway workers, is a law that allows local authorities to allow veterans special parking privileges.
Specifically, veterans whose vehicles display plates honoring Pearl Harbor survivors, Legion of Valor recipients, former American Prisoners of War, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, or Purple Heart recipients would be allowed to park their vehicles weighing less than 6,000 pounds in any metered parking space without charge.
