The new year is almost here and with it comes the resolution, a promise to change the way we've done things in the past.
The state of California has made several resolutions herself and we've decided to focus on the ones that affect drivers.
Below is a list of new laws or changes to existing laws that go into effect on Tuesday and will likely affect you as a California driver.
- Passenger Charter-party Carriers’ Act, AB 45: Any driver of a chartered limo or bus will be required to make sure that passengers are of the legal drinking age when alcohol is being consumed in their vehicle. If a minor is found to have been drinking alcohol during the ride, the driver is required to return that passenger to where they were picked up.
- CHP Silver Alerts, SB 1047: The California Highway Patrol will implement a "silver alert" into its emergency alert system to allow it to assist in searches for missing people over the age of 65.
How will these laws affect you? Tell us in the comments section below.
- Autonomous Vehicles, SB 1298: The law will allow for self-driving cars to be test-driven on public roads while a licensed driver is in the driver's seat. The driver will be able to take over immediate manual control in the event of vehicle failure or some other emergency.
- Used Car Dealer Practices, AB 1534, AB 1447: Under AB 1534, used car dealers that provide direct financing to buyers must label their cars with specific information about them, including reasonable market value and the source of the information. AB 1447 will require these dealers provide a vehicle warranty, limit them from tracking customer vehicles with GPS devices and prevent them from being able to electronically disable a vehicle without signed consent from the buyer at the time of purchase.
- Hands-Free Text and Driving, AB 1536: The law will allow a person to send and receive text messages while driving if they are doing so using a phone's hands-free, voice-operated functions.
- Veteran License Plates, AB 1550: Veterans will be able to apply for specialized plates designating them as participants of specific wars or conflicts with the use of new decals. Old decals will be phased out depending on demand and cost of production.
- California Legacy Plates, AB 1658: Drivers whose cars are registered in California will be able to opt for specialized license plates that look similar to plates used in the state in past years.
- Electronic Car Insurance AB 1708: Law enforcement will now be required to accept proof of insurance on a driver's phone or tablet.
- Traffic Violator School, AB 1888: The law will allow a driver with a commercial license who has committed a traffic offense to attend traffic violator school, thus preventing them from getting a point on their license.
- Driving Under the Influence, AB 2020: A person arrested for suspected DUI will no longer be given the option of a urine test. In previous years, the option was given of either a urine test or a blood test.
- Choose Clean Cars Act, AB 2405: Vehicles that meet California's super ultra-low emissions standards may qualify for stickers which will allow for single-driver travel in high-occupancy vehicle lanes.
- Vessel Registration Fees, AB 2443: The registration fee for boat owners will increase to support the monitoring and infestation prevention of dreissenid mussels, which attach to the bottoms of boats.
You see I appreciate liberty and freedom of speech. First amendment is extremely important. I learned that when the priest from Divine Saviour Catholic Church took me to court to shut me up. When your freedom is almost taken away you realize how precious it is. Such an experience is a real eye opening experience. (They lost, I won.). And, those Democrats (most of them) who claim to believe in separation of church and state supported the church. The policitian Councilmember Ed Reyes gave the church a letter of support. He is no supporter of first amendment rights. Liberty is extremely important. It is hard to explain unless you have it threatened and almost taken away. Then you have a new appreciation for it. Hans, I hope you understand that the government does need to be limited as people need freedom of choice and freedom of speech and lot of other types of freedom too. Without freedom we have corupt government, corupt politicans and corupt religious organizations forcing their agenda on people. And, we already have some of that. Luckily there are judges that know and follow the law to keep our country free. Freedom of speech is precious. Don't let any politican, church, or anyone else take it away.
It was you who diverted the issue with the tired old libertarian saw "No law is going to correct personal behavior...", and followed it up with ad hominem attacks. Not that I mind them. When one uses them it means one has run out of anything substantive to say.
No U.S. tax treaties and low tax bank accounts; giving the big " 'F' you" to the I.R.S.
No U.S. tax treaties and low tax bank accounts; giving the big " 'F' you" to the I.R.S.
BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE!!! While we were sleeping. Gov. Brown signed off the money that is supposed to help the environment, and just tosses it into the general fund for more spending!!!!!
Just saying...