WITH the New Year just days away, several new, important traffic-related laws will go into effect on Jan. 1, designed to address issues of roadway safety and directly impact California drivers, motorists and bicyclists.
The new laws, which cover everything from hit-and-run, to DUI laws, electric bicycles and hover-boards, were signed by Gov. Jerry Brown during the 2015 legislative session. The California Department of Motor Vehicles released the list of approved Senate and Assembly bills, poised to go into effect on the first day of the year.
Traffic amnesty
SB 405 amends the criteria for a person to be eligible for the traffic citation amnesty program, approved through the 2015-16 Budget Act. A person is eligible for the traffic amnesty program if he or she has not made any payments after Sept. 30, 2015, to a collection program for fines or bail already due. The law also indicates that payment of bail, fines, penalties, fees, or a civil assessment is not required in order for the court to remove the civil assessment of up to $300 against any defendant who fails, after notice and without good cause, to appear in court.
Yellow Alert System for hit-and-runs
Starting Jan. 1, a Yellow Alert notification system will be established for hit-and-run incidents that result in death or major injuries, according to a California Highway Patrol (CHP) news release.
Similar to Amber Alerts, CHP would work with requesting law enforcement agencies to determine whether a hit-and-run warrants activation of the emergency system, including whether changeable message signs on freeways should be used. The criteria for a Yellow Alert includes whether there is information about the hit-and-run driver or their vehicle.
The legislation was introduced by local Assemblyman Mike Gatto.
Consumer Protection – Starter Interrupt Warning
AB 265 requires a “buy-here-pay-here” dealer to make certain disclosures and notices to a vehicle buyer when a vehicle is sold with tracking and starter interrupt technology installed. This law also requires advance warning be given to the purchaser prior to engagement of the starter interrupt technology, if the buyer fails to make timely vehicle payments. A “buy-here-pay-here” dealer is defined by law as “a used car dealer that assigns less than 90 percent of their conditional sales and lease contracts to third party lenders; and therefore provide direct financing to car buyers.”
Silver Alert System
The Silver Alert notification system will be amended starting Jan. 1 to allow it to be communicated on changeable message signs when a vehicle is involved in the missing person incident. Regional and statewide emergency alerts can be activated when seniors or individuals with developmental disabilities go missing or are believed to be in danger.
DUI: Ignition Interlock Device
A new law (SB 61) for 2016 grants a one-year extension to the existing Ignition Interlock Device (IID) pilot project, in which a person convicted of drunken driving may be required to install an ignition interlock device to their vehicle. The IID registers alcohol on the driver’s breath, and can prevent the vehicle from starting based on the result. The project requires a person convicted of a DUI to install an IID for five months upon a first offense, 12 months for a second offense, 24 months for a third offense, and 36 months for a fourth or subsequence offense.
The extension would impact Los Angeles, Alameda, Sacramento and Tulare counties, according to the CHP.
Highway Lane Use
A law requiring slow-moving passenger vehicles to safely pull over and let traffic pass will expand and apply to bicyclists come Jan. 1, according to the CHP. The law requires slow-moving cars and bicycles to use the next available turnout or other area to let vehicles pass if five or more are backed-up behind them.
Hoverboard safety
According to AB 604, an electronically motorized board — defined by the CHP as “a wheeled device designed to be stood and powered by electronic propulsion,” and includes hover-boards — will be able to go no more than 15 mph, and will be permitted only on roadways with a speed limit of 35 mph or less and on designated bikeways.
Hover-board riders must be at least 16, cannot be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and must wear a helmet at all times.
No Earbuds or Headsets
Supported by the Transportation Committee, SB 491, which was filed with the Secretary of State in early October, is a provision that would prohibit anyone operating a vehicle from wearing earphones that cover, rest on, or are inserted in both ears. The prohibition does not apply to persons operating authorized emergency vehicles, construction equipment, and refuse or waste equipment while wearing a headset or safety earplugs.
“Laws previously barred motorists and cyclists from wearing ear plugs in both ears or wearing a headset, subject to some exceptions,” the bill stated.
California Residency Requirement
AB 1465 will require an applicant for an original driver license or identification card to provide proof of California state residency, starting on July 1, 2016 and it will bring the DMV into compliance with a federal law requirement. The DMV will also need to adopt regulations relating to the procedures for verifying that the applicant is a California resident.
CA New Motor Voter Program
AB 1461 creates an automatic voter registration process for qualified individuals who apply for a driver license or identification card, or submit a change of address to the DMV. Under the new law, Californians who obtain or renew their driver’s license would be automatically registered to vote, with an opt-out option also abailable.
The Los Angeles Times reported that information by the DMV will not be sent to the Secretary of State until regulations are developed, a statewide database system is established, and funding to implement the program is secured. The DMV is required to implement the New Motor Voter Act no later than a year after the Secretary of State certifies these regulations. Consequently, it is not exactly clear still when the law will take effect.
Complete information on the new statewide traffic laws can be found at http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/.
Nowadays, many vehicle accident occurs, and it is necessary that the government should provide a law for the state traffic in which it is required that the drivers who are involved should follow certain procedures immediately after the accident. It is the drivers responsibility that after the accident, they should involve in the injuries, and should do legal duty to take reasonable steps to help any injured person. Most of the accidents occur because of the hauling truck driver who takes alcohol, which causes many accidents everyday. But still there are many experienced hauling truck drivers of Auto Shippers, We Will Transport It(http://www.wewilltransportit.com/), California, Shipping, etc., who have an employ fully licensed, bonded, and insured drivers with a clean MVR record.