State passes new laws on motor vehicles

Acorn Staff Writer


In addition to a new law adopted from Assembly Bill 770 (regarding the requirement for law enforcement agencies to report driver distractions in a collision), many other California traffic laws were passed that went into effect Jan. 1.


Among the most significant were:


Children 60 pounds or lighter or 6 years old or younger must ride in a child safety seat or booster seat while in a vehicle. The previous legislation demanded children to be 40 pounds or lighter or 4 years old or younger.


For those who got rid of their child safety seats, you’ll be required to re-obtain booster seats for your children if they don’t meet the weight or age demand.


Kaitlyn’s law prohibits parents or guardians from leaving a child 6 years old or younger in a vehicle unattended while a vehicle is running or the keys are in the ignition or if a significant risk is present. The bill was named after a child who died after being left in a car for two hours in 100-degree heat.


Law enforcement agencies are now required to establish a 24-hour telephone number that provides information on impoundment of motor vehicles. Vehicles must also be released from impoundment in less than 30 days if the driver at the time of the seizure acquires a valid driver’s license and proper insurance.


California law has been revised to allow felony manslaughter DUI convictions more than 10 years old to be a factor when sentencing a DUI driver.


A new statute was created to prevent intersection crashes by clarifying when a motorist may turn on a red light. The law states that drivers stopped at a red light making a right turn must yield to any approaching vehicles or pedestrians before moving forward. And in the event of a left turn from a one-way street to another one-way street, the same rule applies.


Another law extends the legal length of a motor home traveling on an interstate or other federally designated highway. Vehicles 40 to 45 feet are permissible. But California residents driving motor homes longer than 40 feet are required to get a commercial Class B license with a medical certification.


See related story on page 7.





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