The CHP Wants You to Be Aware of New Laws for the Road

Press release from the California Highway Patrol:

chpstarCHP HIGHLIGHTS NEW LAWS AFFECTING MOTORISTS, CYCLISTS, AND PUBLIC SAFETY

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As part of its mission to save lives, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) seeks to inform people about several new laws signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. during the 2015 legislative session. These new laws apply to various aspects of roadwaysafety.

Child safety seats (AB 53, Garcia) Beginning January 1, 2017 [yes, 2017], children under two years of age must ride rear-facing in an appropriate child passenger safety seat. Children weighing 40 or more pounds or standing 40 or more inches tall would be exempt. California law continues to require that all children eight years of age or younger be properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat in the back seat of the vehicle.

Hit-and-run (AB 8, Gatto) A “Yellow Alert” notification system will be established as of January 1, 2016, for specified hit-and-run incidents resulting in death or serious injury. As with AMBER, Silver, or Blue Alerts, the CHP will work with requesting law enforcement agencies to determine whether the hit-and-run meets the criteria for a Yellow Alert, including the use of the freeway Changeable Message Signs (CMS). Criteria established in the law include the availability of information about the hit-and-run suspect or the suspect’s vehicle, and whether disseminating the information will be helpful.

Driving under the influence: Ignition Interlock Device (SB 61, Hill) This new law grants a one-year extension to a pilot project for the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare counties. The pilot was first instituted in 2010. Under the current law, a person convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) may be required to install an IID in their vehicle. If the IID registers alcohol on the driver’s breath, the vehicle will not start. The length of time the IID is required in the vehicle is based on how many prior DUI convictions the driver has had.

Silver Alerts (AB 643, Nazarian) The “Silver Alert” notification system has been amended to allow the alert to be communicated on CMS when there is a vehicle involved in the missing person incident. The Silver Alert is an emergency system that allows law enforcement to broadcast regional or statewide alerts for seniors, or individuals with developmental disabilities or who are cognitively impaired, and are missing and may be in danger.

Highway lane use (AB 208, Bigelow) The law requiring slow-moving passenger vehicles to pull over safely to let traffic pass has been amended to apply to all vehicles, effective January 1, 2016. Bicycles will now be included in the legal requirement that slow-moving vehicles use the next available turnout or other area to let backed-up traffic – five or more vehicles – get by.

Electronically motorized boards (AB 604, Olsen) The new law defines “electronically motorized board” as a wheeled device designed to be stood on and powered by electronic propulsion, going no more than 15 miles per hour. The electronically motorized boards can only be ridden on a highway with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less, or specific designated bikeways. The rider must be at least 16 years old and must wear a bicycle helmet. Cities and counties are authorized to restrict the use of the electrically motorized boards.

Electric bicycles (AB 1096, Chiu) The new law, effective January 1, 2016, creates three separate classes of electric bicycles, defined by their maximum speed and how much power is supplied by the motor. Classes 1 and 2 have a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. A Class 3 electric bicycle has a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour. The operator of a Class 3 bicycle must be at least 16 years old and wear a helmet. Manufacturers and distributors must label the bicycles with the classification number, top assisted speed, and wattage. The new law sets up safety restrictions and regulates access on trails and paths.

For complete information on bills enacted in 2015, please refer to the Legislative Counsel Web site athttp://LegInfo.Legislature.ca.gov.

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19 Comments
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Greg Gehr
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Greg Gehr
8 years ago

They missed the boat on this one, the bicycle law about pulling over for five or more cars should have also included no more lane splitting, no more riding side-by-side, all vehicles including bicycles are single file in each lane.

hmmm
Guest
hmmm
8 years ago
Reply to  Greg Gehr

agreed

bottlebro
Guest
bottlebro
8 years ago
Reply to  Greg Gehr

Dissagreed. In many cases, riding two abreast in a single lane is safer for cyclists and motorcyclists. What we need is fewer lawmakers.

Dan
Guest
Dan
8 years ago
Reply to  Greg Gehr

Yep … And also the bicycles need to be insured and registered ,, the cause accidents and currently aren’t liable …

hmmm
Guest
hmmm
8 years ago

Bicycles should have to pull over for a single car.

Joe Mama
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Joe Mama
8 years ago
Reply to  hmmm

*sniff* stop, you’re breaking my heart.

HWBN
Guest
HWBN
8 years ago
Reply to  hmmm

Should a slower car then have to pull over for a faster car? How about one car holding up one bike?

Or do you just dislike cyclists?

0LDMANWHOSTUMBLESINTHEWOODS
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0LDMANWHOSTUMBLESINTHEWOODS
8 years ago

I f the school bus has to live up to this new LAW, the kids on the Shelter cove run and Alderpiont road run will be able to graduate by the time they get to school..

Barry Wallowberg
Guest
Barry Wallowberg
8 years ago

Car seat is stupid. Rear facing up to two?

We didn’t even have car seats when I was a child.

Someone should pass a law requiring CHP to have a mariachi band play when they write a ticket.

Kneelander
Guest
Kneelander
8 years ago

Personally I would prefer accordion music.

Barry Wallowberg
Guest
Barry Wallowberg
8 years ago
Reply to  Kneelander

Bozo clown costumes would work as well

Jackie
Guest
Jackie
8 years ago

I agree 2 years old they need to be facing forward you’ve got to be able to see what there up to. You know at that age they will be screaming and that is worse on the driver. It is unsafe

TomT
Guest
TomT
8 years ago

Police didn’t write or pass these laws, the clowns you voted into office did. Time to get fitted for your own big red nose.

Life is Good
Guest
Life is Good
8 years ago

Yellow Alert! Silver Alert!, DHS terror colors? Too convoluted to keep straight.

Steve
Guest
Steve
8 years ago

I just bought my kid an electric razor scooter for Christmas, He’s 13! do I have to wait until he’s old enough to get a drivers license? WHF is this state comming to. If I could sell my house and move the hell out of here I would, but alas I’m stuck .

Barry Wallowberg
Guest
Barry Wallowberg
8 years ago
Reply to  Steve

Get the kid a fake Id.

Dumboldt
Guest
Dumboldt
8 years ago

Just be a considerate driver and let even one vehicle pass when there is a turnout that can be used safely. Only assholes don’t use turnouts until there are five vehicles behind them. Especially considering most roads in this area have plenty of turnouts. It’s also only assholes who “tailgate”. My point is just be considerate of your fellow human.

Pops
Guest
Pops
8 years ago

As a senior I am outraged and offended that my age group is being profiled by hair color….. Insensitive bastages!

Bobbyg
Guest
Bobbyg
8 years ago

How about enforcing the law to make bicyclists stop for stop signs, also idiots that pull into the oncoming lane to go around bicyclists when you are heading towards them in your lane.also lane splitting on a motorcycle is legal I think car drivers are jealous of lane splitting and voice their frustrations against us