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CHP highlights new laws affecting motorists, cyclists, public safety

by The AV Times Staff • December 31, 2015

CHP highlights new lawsThe California Highway Patrol (CHP) is informing the public about several new laws signed by Gov. Jerry Brown during the 2015 legislative session. These new laws apply to various aspects of roadway safety.

Hit-and-run (AB 8, Gatto): A “Yellow Alert” notification system will be established as of Jan. 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. 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 freeway Changeable Message Signs 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 Jan. 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 electric 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 Jan. 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.

Child safety seats (AB 53, Garcia): Beginning Jan. 1, 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 children 8 years old or younger be properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat in the back seat of the vehicle.

For complete information on bills enacted in 2015, visit the Legislative Counsel website at http://LegInfo.Legislature.ca.gov.

[Information via news release from the California Highway Patrol.]

Filed Under: Lancaster, Palmdale

8 comments for "CHP highlights new laws affecting motorists, cyclists, public safety"

  1. Oscar D. Mejia says

    January 5, 2016 at 11:08 am

    What is next??
    A law that requires motorcycle riders to wear seatbelts???

    Oscar D. Mejia
    Lancaster City Council Candidate 2016

  2. LandOftheIncarcerated says

    January 1, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    More laws on top of the laws we already had to supplement the other laws that were passed right before that other set of laws were instituted. The Land of the Free as long as you do what you’re told. Largest incarcerated population on the earth. Russia is probably laughing at the United States right now.

    • Flint says

      January 1, 2016 at 7:52 pm

      which of these laws struck you as particularly draconian? Was it the one on child safety seats?

      • LandOfTheIncarcerated says

        January 1, 2016 at 9:35 pm

        I can’t believe we actually elect these morons to pass laws for a living. These dipsh!ts can’t even leave skateboards alone. Laws for skateboards? Only in the (TM) Land of the Free. These people should do the world a favor and drive off the nearest cliff.

        • Dave M says

          January 2, 2016 at 8:41 pm

          Wearing their seatbelts for the drive, of course. We’re not barbarians.

        • Flint says

          January 2, 2016 at 9:46 pm

          So no rules on skating on private property? Gotcha. Just trying to figure where we had become a tyrannical state.

          • LandOfTheIncarcerated says

            January 2, 2016 at 11:10 pm

            No Flint, no rules regarding private property- yet. Give ’em some time. And when those laws become reality, you’ll be supportive of those as well. Just like a proper little AV goose-stepper would be.

          • Flint says

            January 2, 2016 at 11:28 pm

            I thought you meant how skateboarders can’t trespass on private property and were saying that’s anti American. Even though we do have seat belt laws, and they added an alert, I still prefer this dictatorship of repression over Russia.

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