An expansion of the helmet law for children, cracking down on
street racing and child safety seats are some of the new laws that
will keep local law enforcement busy this year.
An expansion of the helmet law for children, cracking down on street racing and child safety seats are some of the new laws that will keep local law enforcement busy this year.
Of the more than 1,100 new laws that went into effect statewide Wednesday, the one that is expected to have the most immediate and wide-reaching effect is the expanded helmet law.
“The change in the helmet law now includes almost any foot-powered vehicle,” Hollister Police Chief Bill Pierpoint said. “It’s the same thought process that went into the law for motorcycle riders to wear helmets.”
Under the new law, anyone under 18 who rides a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, skateboard, skates or any other human-powered vehicle must wear a safety helmet or face being cited by police.
Pierpoint said the law is intended to help protect youths from severe head injuries such as the one that killed Daniel Yetter more than a year ago.
Yetter, 17, died in August 2001 when his skateboard slipped out from under him as he attempted a trick maneuver. He fell backward, hitting his head against the pavement.
The new law also has a bite in its certainty to capture the attention of parents.
“The third time a child is cited, the parents will have to pay the fine,” San Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hill said. “Hopefully, parents will be paying closer attention on what their children are wearing.”
But getting youths to comply with the new law may be more difficult that people think, health educator Suzi Deeb said.
She said the health department did an informal survey of local youths that indicates most teenagers who ride bikes do not wear helmets.
“At the junior high school level only 49 percent of youths who ride to school are wearing helmets,” Deeb said. “At the high school level, 89 percent of students who ride to school are not wearing helmets.”
Parents who want to find out more about the helmet law or who want to get information on buying low-cost helmets can call Deeb at 636-4011.
Another law that may catch some parents by surprise is the implementation of the ban on smoking near playgrounds and “tot lots.” Under the new law, anyone caught smoking within 25 feet of those areas can be cited and fined up to $250.
Deeb said the idea is to help protect children against second-hand smoke.
“It is the third-leading cause of preventable death in the United States and is responsible for more that 1 million cases of childhood asthma,” Deeb said in a written statement.
Another law is expected to help the sheriff’s department put the brakes on street racing. The new law gives law enforcement the power to impound vehicles involved with or supporting street racing for up to 30 days.
“We have a group of people out there who are racing in the streets on Friday and Saturday nights,” Hill said.
Taking away their cars will not only prevent the racers from racing locally, Hill said, but may force them to go outside San Benito County if they want to pursue the potentially fatal pastime.
Here are some of the other laws that went into effect Jan. 1:
Family members, friends, police and mental health professionals will be able to petition the court to order a mentally ill person into outpatient treatment.
Medical professionals treating sexual assault victims will be required to provide emergency contraception if asked.
Crime victims will have up to 10 years after their assailant is paroled to sue them for financial damages, including earnings from telling their story in a book, film or other publication.
Property owners who want to build so-called “granny flats” will have an easier time constructing the backyard or above-garage units, no matter what the neighbors think, if they meet all local government standards.
California will more closely monitor the payday lending industry. A new law gives the Department of Corporations the authority to audit payday lenders, collect data on the high-interest, short-term loans and provide a comprehensive study for future legislative reforms.
One new law will require mandatory reporting of civil judgments, as well as settlements and arbitration awards that are larger than $30,000. Other laws require accounting firms to save audit documents for at least seven years.
Businesses can expect to pay about $14 to $21 per worker per year because of an automatic hike in unemployment insurance taxes. The higher tax is needed to restore dwindling reserves because of high unemployment rates.
Real estate taxes will also go up in 2003. Anyone buying property in California will be required to withhold about 3.33 percent of the sale price for state taxes. Currently, only non-resident sellers of real estate have to pay the tax.
Tips for buying a safety helmet
Make sure helmet is snug and does not hinder the child’s vision.
Helmet should fit flat on the top of the head and not lean toward the side.
Ensure that the helmet is certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
