The new laws taking effect Thursday include no texting while
driving, the placement of GPS fixtures on windshields, zero
tolerance for those convicted of DUI while on probation, posting of
nutritional information at restaurants and added protection for
journalism teachers who don’t censor students’ stories.
HOLLISTER
When the clock strikes midnight welcoming the new year, several new laws affecting San Benito County residents will take effect. They include no texting while driving, the placement of global positioning systems on windshields, zero tolerance for those convicted of driving under the influence while on probation, posting of nutritional information at fast-food restaurants and added protection for journalism teachers who don’t censor students’ stories.
One of the more impactful changes here and elsewhere is the texting law. It was enacted to keep California drivers’ hands off their phones while driving, thereby keeping them safer.
“Everything goes back to that, safety on the freeways,” said California Highway Patrol Officer Erica Elias, with the Hollister area office in Gilroy.
As for enforcement, Elias said it is easy to see when someone is holding a cell phone while driving and that it affects their habits.
“We’ve seen it was a problem with people holding their phones and texting,” Elias said.
Drivers will be cited $20 for the first offense and $50 for every repeat offense. This is an expansion of the law, which formerly applied only to drivers under age 18.
GPS systems now are only delegated to two areas on a car’s windshield. Elias said that a driver can have his or her GPS system on a seven-square-inch area on the lower right side of the windshield or a five-square-inch area on the lower portion of the driver’s side. Penalties for improper placement of such a device will be imposed by the courts.
Along with the ban on text messaging while driving, residents with a DUI conviction while on probation for that offense will no longer be allowed to operate a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of more than .01 percent or greater.
The new zero-tolerance law requires a driver who is on probation for DUI to submit to a preliminary alcohol test after being pulled over, said Elias. Failure to comply, or submitting to the testing and having a BAC over .01, percent would result in fines, license and privileges being revoked and the car being impounded.
“This law is meant to be tougher on convicted DUI offenders who seem to be repeat offenders,” Elias said. She added that along with citations, court fines also will be assessed.
Another change you can see for yourself will be at chain restaurants. Starting Jan. 1, those with 20 or more locations in the state will be have to post nutritional information. Some of the numbers that need to be posted include amounts of calories, carbohydrates, fat and sodium.
Victor Gomez, owner of Papa Murphy’s in Hollister and a new city council member, said his store already has posted nutritional information for his “pre-prepared” foods such as salads and cookie dough and the franchise already offers pamphlets with the information on pizzas. He added that it is also available on the Web site.
Gomez said he thinks it shouldn’t cost too much money for franchises to publish this information, while estimating that pamphlets for his store cost around $200 to $300 a year. He thinks this is a good idea for restaurants, he said, even if it is disregarded by patrons.
“I think its a good practice. Most people don’t pay attention to the food guide, but it is a good idea to have it available to folks,” Gomez said.
Journalism teachers across the state will now be protected from being fired for not censuring students’ articles published in school papers.
San Benito High School journalism teacher Adam Breen agrees with the law, he said.
“We journalism advisors teach our students that the First Amendment to the Constitution ensures freedom of the press and protects their right to free speech, so this new state law is merely a confirmation of that,” said Breen, a reporter and columnist for The Pinnacle. “The law still rightfully allows administrators to fire teachers who perform poorly, but punishing teachers merely for protecting students’ free speech rights now is illegal – as it should be.”
