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The new year brings with it some new laws that pedestrians, bicycle riders, and especially drivers in Los Angeles and throughout California need to know. The following is a quick rundown of some of the most relevant. Remember, ignorance of the law is never an excuse for breaking it!
New Regulations of Importance to Drivers
New Use Of Speed Cameras
AB 645 only applies (for now) to the following six cities:
- Long Beach
- San Jose
- Oakland
- Glendale
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
It covers the implementation of speed cameras in these cities and establishes the requirement for a Speed Safety System Pilot Program, a thirty-day public information campaign on the use of these cameras prior to going into effect. The cameras will first be set up near schools, known dangerous intersections, and streets often used for drag racing. Once set up, these cameras will issue tickets to anyone caught going at least 11 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Drivers will be subject to civil penalties up to $25. Assuming the pilot program is deemed successful in reducing car accidents, it will likely be rolled out to additional cities throughout California.
Cruising Prohibition Bans
AB 436 prohibits cities and local governments from penalizing or banning cars and other vehicles that have been modified to sit at a level lower than their rims—also known as cruising.
Limit On Citations For Expired License Plate Tags
AB 256 will stop police officers from pulling over drivers solely based on an expired sticker on their vehicle’s rear license plate, unless two months or more have passed since the month appearing on the sticker. This law is scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2024, and remain in effect until January 1, 2030.
Elimination Of Misdemeanor Charge For Failure To Attend Traffic Violator School
AB 466 end the classification of a failure to attend traffic violator school as a misdemeanor. It also disallows a failure to attend from being considered a new offense.
No Stopping Near Crosswalks
AB 413 forbids stopping or parking within 20 feet of an intersection or crosswalk, marked or not, that is otherwise clear of vehicles. It also restricts stopping or parking within fifteen feet from crosswalks that extend from a bulb-out or stretch of sidewalk that juts into the road.
Laws Affecting Motorized and Regular Bike Riders
Obeying Bicycle Signals
AB 1909 This new section requires bike riders to obey signals geared toward bicycle riders when a traffic control signal displays them at the same time as official traffic control signals or pedestrian control signals.
Defining Shared Mobility Devices
AB 410 expands the current definition of mobility devices to include electrically motorized boards, scooters, bicycles, and non-electric bikes. Shared mobility service providers must post signs with raised characters and accompanying Braille to identify the device, to be use for reporting illegal or otherwise dangerous and inappropriate activities.
Citing Vehicles Parked In Bicycle Lanes
AB 361 makes it easier for the police to issue citations to vehicles parked in designated bike lanes. Local agencies will be allowed to install cameras on vehicles used for parking law enforcement, and the images recorded can be used to issue parking citations to vehicles violating this restriction.
Your Automobile Accident Law Firm
Laws are put in place and updated regularly with the intent of protecting everyone on the road—drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians alike. When someone flaunts these regulations and the result is serious injuries and other losses, you have recourse. Contact Scott J. Corwin, A Professional Law Corporation, to hold those who disregard your safety accountable.
Contact our office today by calling (310) 683-2300 or filling out the online contact form to discuss the details of your case and learn more about how we can help you. We offer free consultations, so there’s no reason not to reach out to someone from our team right away.