wingsnthangs
12-30-2005, 10:40 AM
(Reposting to facilitate future searches because I misposted.)
New traffic laws will be going in effect in the state of California as of January 1, 2006. Here are a few.....
Street Racing. AB 1325 establishes a jail term of 30 days to six months for people found guilty of engaging in motor-vehicle speed contests if the driver causes bodily injury to someone other than himself or herself.
Drunk Driving. SB 597 extends from seven years to 10 years the time period a person is ineligible for a "good-driver discount" following a conviction for drunk driving. The change complements a change last year that required DUI convictions to remain on a person's record for 10 years instead of seven.
Two other new laws strengthen law enforcement's ability to impound drunk drivers' vehicles:
* SB 207 authorizes an officer to impound the vehicle of a person with a prior DUI conviction arrested for a suspected DUI if the person has a blood- alcohol level of at least 0.10 percent or if the person refuses a chemical test.
* AB 979 authorizes an officer to impound the vehicle of a motorist violating a requirement to drive only a vehicle equipped with a functioning, certified ignition interlock device.
Other laws going into force in 2006:
Pocket Bikes. AB 1051 provides a definition of a pocket bike and requires the manufacturer to let prospective buyers know, in writing, where one may not be operated. The miniature motorcycles are illegal to ride on public streets. Also, the new law specifies that pocket bikes seized by law enforcement will be held for a minimum of 48 hours and will be released only after appropriate fees have been paid.
Car Insurance. SB 20 extends the state's low-cost automobile insurance program for qualified drivers to the year 2011 and adds six more counties where it will be available. Previously, low-cost auto insurance was available only in Los Angeles and San Francisco counties. Now, it can also be obtained in Alameda, Fresno, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. The law also gives the insurance commissioner the discretion to add more counties in the future.
Graduated Driver Licensing Law Strengthened. AB 1474 strengthens the existing teen licensing law by requiring teen motorists to have their licenses for one year before being allowed to drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., or before being allowed to transport passengers under age 20 without an adult in the car. Even teens who have gotten their licenses before Jan. 1 will have to follow the new law if their licenses are less than one year old.
More can be found on the DMV website: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/about/leg/leginfo.htm
Play it safe this New Year's and don't be one of the first to experience the wrath of the DUI laws.
New traffic laws will be going in effect in the state of California as of January 1, 2006. Here are a few.....
Street Racing. AB 1325 establishes a jail term of 30 days to six months for people found guilty of engaging in motor-vehicle speed contests if the driver causes bodily injury to someone other than himself or herself.
Drunk Driving. SB 597 extends from seven years to 10 years the time period a person is ineligible for a "good-driver discount" following a conviction for drunk driving. The change complements a change last year that required DUI convictions to remain on a person's record for 10 years instead of seven.
Two other new laws strengthen law enforcement's ability to impound drunk drivers' vehicles:
* SB 207 authorizes an officer to impound the vehicle of a person with a prior DUI conviction arrested for a suspected DUI if the person has a blood- alcohol level of at least 0.10 percent or if the person refuses a chemical test.
* AB 979 authorizes an officer to impound the vehicle of a motorist violating a requirement to drive only a vehicle equipped with a functioning, certified ignition interlock device.
Other laws going into force in 2006:
Pocket Bikes. AB 1051 provides a definition of a pocket bike and requires the manufacturer to let prospective buyers know, in writing, where one may not be operated. The miniature motorcycles are illegal to ride on public streets. Also, the new law specifies that pocket bikes seized by law enforcement will be held for a minimum of 48 hours and will be released only after appropriate fees have been paid.
Car Insurance. SB 20 extends the state's low-cost automobile insurance program for qualified drivers to the year 2011 and adds six more counties where it will be available. Previously, low-cost auto insurance was available only in Los Angeles and San Francisco counties. Now, it can also be obtained in Alameda, Fresno, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. The law also gives the insurance commissioner the discretion to add more counties in the future.
Graduated Driver Licensing Law Strengthened. AB 1474 strengthens the existing teen licensing law by requiring teen motorists to have their licenses for one year before being allowed to drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., or before being allowed to transport passengers under age 20 without an adult in the car. Even teens who have gotten their licenses before Jan. 1 will have to follow the new law if their licenses are less than one year old.
More can be found on the DMV website: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/about/leg/leginfo.htm
Play it safe this New Year's and don't be one of the first to experience the wrath of the DUI laws.