More than 700 new driving laws went into effect Sunday,
including new restrictions for teen drivers, protections for car
buyers and stiffer penalties for drunk drivers, according to the
American Automobile Association.
Hollister – More than 700 new driving laws went into effect Sunday, including new restrictions for teen drivers, protections for car buyers and stiffer penalties for drunk drivers, according to the American Automobile Association.
Under the newly-instated laws, teenagers with provisional licenses will have a new curfew, drunk drivers will have more opportunities to have their cars impounded and car buyers will have a new bill of rights. Other new laws prohibit the use of mini-motorcycles, often called pocket bikes, on public streets.
A new addition to the 1997 Graduated Drivers Licensing law restricts teenagers with provisional licenses from carrying passengers under 18 without an adult over 25 present in the car for a period of one year instead of the six months required by the previous law, according to AAA. Another new law changes the nighttime curfew for teenage drivers from midnight to 11pm.
San Benito High School student Melissa Garcia, 16, was lucky enough to get her license before Jan. 1, but some of her friends who weren’t so lucky are already complaining about the new restrictions.
Garcia doesn’t think the laws will make the streets any safer, she’s just glad she won’t have to comply with the new restrictions regarding passengers under 18.
“I don’t understand why they changed the law,” she said. “If people want to do it, they will, regardless of the law.”
Other new laws aimed at protecting car buyers will go into effect July 1. The legislation establishes the Car Buyer Bill of Rights that includes, among its many provisions, new conditions for used car certification and gives buyers the opportunity to purchase a two-day contract cancellation policy.
During that period, the buyer can cancel any contract he or she has signed to purchase the car if unsatisfied.
Bob Tiffany, owner of Tiffany Ford in Hollister, doesn’t think the new laws will have a big impact on local car sales, but he does believe the legislation will be beneficial.
“It’s a positive because if there are people out there being less than scrupulous, it will level the playing field,” he said. “The biggest change is the two-day buy-back option.”
Prices for the two-day cancellation option are based on the price of the car and can range from $75 on a car selling for less than $5,000 to $390 on a $39,000 car.
Additional legislation will focus on penalties for drunk drivers. Those caught driving with a .15 percent blood-alcohol level – nearly twice the .08 percent legal limit – could have their DUI fines and jail time doubled under the new law. The previous blood-alcohol level for doubling fines was .20 percent, according to AAA. Those who have already been convicted of a DUI and are required by a court order to have a breathalyzer connected to the ignition system of their car will risk having their car impounded if caught driving without one. And under the new laws, those that blow a .10 percent or refuse to take a blood-alcohol level test can also have their car impounded.
San Benito County Undersheriff Pat Turturici has been following the new drunk driving laws and hopes they will help deter drinking and driving.
“Any time you put more restrictions on driving under the influence it’s a positive thing,” he said. “But it doesn’t seem like people are informed because they keep doing it.”
Another new law may force pocket bike owners to keep their toys in the garage. The law bans the use of the bikes on sidewalks, roads, highways, bicycle and horse paths and hiking trails. Use of the bikes will be restricted to private property and manufactures will be required to inform buyers of the new restrictions, according to AAA.
Turturici hasn’t seen many pocket bike injuries in San Benito County and believes the new laws will stop the mini-motorcycles from becoming a bigger nuisance.
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach him at 637-5566, ext. 330 or [email protected].
