New roadway safety laws take effect today, according to the CHP:
License points for distracted driving: Using a cell phone in a handheld manner while driving is currently punishable by a fine. Beginning July 1, 2021, violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record. This applies to the violations of talking or texting while driving (except for hands-free use) and to any use of these devices while driving by a person under 18 years of age.
Unattended children in motor vehicles: Exempts a person from civil or criminal liability for trespassing or damaging a vehicle when rescuing a child who is 6 years old or younger and who is in immediate danger from heat, cold, lack of ventilation, or other dangerous circumstances. The law takes effect January 1, 2021.
“Move Over, Slow Down” amendments: Extends the provisions of the “Move Over, Slow Down” law currently in place on freeways to also apply to local streets and roads so drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying emergency lights, including tow trucks and Caltrans vehicles, must now move to another lane when possible, or slow to a reasonable speed on all highways, not just freeways. The law is effective January 1, 2021.
Wow, I always thought the “move over or slow down” law applied to local streets.
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I though the same thing too.
Common sense eludes a lot of drivers.
The law regarding unattended children should also apply to unattended animals. But I have one question, how would a good Samaritan know if a child is six years old or younger? If a child is seven and you break the window to rescue the kid, you could still be held liable for the damage. They should remove the age limit because this could cause people to have second thoughts.
I agree. Age limit up to 6 years old is not to smart. What difference does it make how old a child is, if left in a car and can’t get out. As a four year old an Aunt left me in a hot car and I remember it to this day. It was horrible and I am lucky to be here today.
More laws to be ignored by All parties.
It’s hilarious that a Name brand car dealership in Concord is selling a vehicle with a fully Tinted Windshield. Ignoring the California vehicle code.
Maybe I can buy a car from them without a catalytic converter LOL.
Well, our overlords need to look like they are ding something while they steal out money.
doing
our
autocorrect
If all of the bad and distracted drivers were off of the roads, there would never be any traffic.
Are these roadway safety laws really going to be enforced? I just don’t ever see any law enforcement out anymore. And why should the child be 6 years or younger in order to rescue? I would rescue any child or ANIMAL that was in a dangerous situation no matter what age. How pathetic but then again this is California. 🙄
Cops are either too lazy or too scared to pull cars over, or get involved in potentially violent situations. Got this from a few older, retired LE guys.
@Raiderette,
I’m pretty sure their assumption is that a child who’s seven years or older can open the door if they need to.
Cops are either too lazy or too scared to pull cars over, or get involved in potentially violent situations. Got this from a few older, retired LE guys.
Can’t say as I blame them. A lot has changed nowadays.
If these laws were in place at the same time these phone came out there wouldnt be half as many sold to the public.
LE officers have been ordered by their management to cut back on the enforcement due to:
* Political pressure
* Covid19
* Threats of violence against the police
* Funding cuts
* DAs refusing to file charges against “lesser” crimes
And all of those translate to politicians. You have a problem with that, then vote them all out. You have only yourselves to blame.
I still don’t think everyone knows that headlights must be on when windshield wipers are on.
Personally I would never pull over a car with tinted windows. People with guns or their pants down, drive cars with tinted windows.
Probably both.
The age limit is there because any child approach 6 should be smart enough to be instructed to simply unlock and open the door. Yeah they could be blind, deaf, wrapped in a garbage bag, etc., but I believe that is why an age proviso is there.
“Why have an age limit at all!?!?” because then some guy could run up to you, a 50 year old man or woman, and smash your window while parked because you were possibly overheating, and be legally in the right. Would be hilarious in court.
I’m not sure the general public is smart enough to recognize a PEV (electric) vehicle’s HVAC system being on and the animal/. kid being nice and cool in 72 degree air as they smash my window to give the animal/ kid 100 degree smoky CA air…
Who do I get to sue then?