Here are the major changes to driving regulations and vehicle equipment that drivers should be aware of in 2007:
Driving Under the Influence: Under 21 Years of Age (AB 2752, Spitzer)
California’s version of a true, zero-tolerance law for underage drinking and driving. Previous law only allowed for an administrative action to be taken against the driver’s license of a person who was under the age of 21 and operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .01 percent or greater. This new law now criminalizes this behavior and makes it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drive a vehicle with any amount of alcohol in their system.
Emergency Vehicles: Avoidance on Freeways (SB 1610, Simitian)
This law, otherwise known as “move over, slow down,” requires a person who is driving a vehicle on a freeway and approaching in a lane immediately adjacent to a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, or a stopped tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, to move out of that lane when legal, safe and practicable, or slow to a reasonable and safe speed.
This bill also creates an “Emergency Incident Zone,” defined as an area on a freeway that is within 500 feet of, and in the direction of travel of, a stationary emergency vehicle with its emergency lights activated. Motorists will now be prohibited from driving in an unsafe manner within this zone.
Riding in the Trunk of a Motor Vehicle (AB 1850, Mountjoy)
This law prohibits the driver of a motor vehicle from allowing a person to ride specifically in the trunk of that vehicle. It also prohibits any person from riding in the trunk of a vehicle. A violation of either of these two new provisions is punishable by a fine of $100 for the first violation, $200 for a second violation, and $250 for a third or subsequent violation.
Reckless Driving and Speed Contests (AB 2190, Benoit)
This law increases the penalties for a person convicted of reckless driving or a speed contest when the driver causes one or more of the eight specified injuries. These injuries include loss of consciousness; concussion; bone fracture; loss of a limb, organ or long-term injury; severe cuts or injuries; brain injury; and paralysis.
Police Pursuits (SB 1735, Cox)
This bill makes it a crime to willfully flee or attempt to evade a pursing peace officer by driving on the wrong side of the road. This law provides for misdemeanor or felony penalties.
Unsafe Operation of a Motor Vehicle (SB 1021, Bowen)
This law creates additional penalties for moving violations that result in a collision and cause bodily injury or great bodily injury.
Semi-Trucks (AB 3011, Benoit)
This bill establishes new laws that conform California law to federal requirements pertaining to big rigs. The regulations addressed in this bill deal specifically with: operating authority; financial responsibility; out of service orders from another state, Mexico or Canada; authority to refuse entry into the state or impoundment if specified requirements are not met; and load securement requirements.
One law that was passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor this year, that doesn’t go into effect in the coming year, is the law banning the use of hand held cell phones by motorists. That law (SB 1613, Simitian) goes into effect July 1, 2008. The law makes it illegal to use a cell phone while driving, unless that phone is designed and configured to allow hands free listening and talking operation and is used in that manner. The law provides an exemption for emergency purposes.
