New Driving Laws May Take Minds Off Y2K
On the eve of the new year, here is a rundown on several new California driving laws that may take motorists’ minds off any potential Y2K meltdown or threats of world terrorism.
Some of these laws, which take effect Saturday unless otherwise indicated, may have a profound effect on drivers, whereas others seem to be the result of bureaucratic overdrive.
The most significant law, Senate Bill 171, provides for low-cost auto insurance that will be available by July 1 for low-income “good drivers” in Los Angeles County and San Francisco.
Targeting drivers who can’t afford to insure their vehicles, the four-year pilot project will enable drivers with good records to purchase low-cost, reduced-benefits liability insurance through the California Assigned Risk Plan.
About 22% of California drivers are uninsured, said Alice Bisno, government affairs manager for the Automobile Club of Southern California.
Besides helping low-income drivers insure their vehicles, she said, the law will benefit people already insured.
“With luck,” Bisno said, “they will see their uninsured motorist premiums go down.”
In other new legislation of note:
Proof of Insurance. The current law requiring motorists to provide proof of insurance when they renew their vehicle registration or are stopped by a law enforcement officer will be made permanent under SB 652.
The law also allows insurers to report vehicle insurance information to the California Department of Motor Vehicles by electronic means. That should save many of us from those dreaded trips to the local DMV office.
Driver Photos. One measure that will bring a sigh of relief to many motorists is Assembly Bill 771, which prohibits the DMV from selling driver’s license photographs or information about a driver’s physical characteristics.
“You mean if you’re 6 feet tall and weigh 350 pounds, the Big & Tall Shop got the information from the DMV?” joked Bob Merlis, who writes for Automobile magazine and publishes a weekly e-mail newsletter called Fidget Wheels (wheels@fidget.com).
Fortunately, no. Currently, the department’s “policy is very restrictive on the sale of photos--we do not sell photos for commercial purposes,” said spokesman Evan Nossoff. The DMV can sell photos to the media if the license holder is deceased, and the driver and family members can obtain copies in some situations.
The law serves primarily as a preventive measure to protect driver privacy in the wake of problems that have occurred in other states, the Auto Club’s Bisno said.
Railroad Crossings. Laws that strengthen traffic safety are always noteworthy. Under AB 923, for example, fines for railroad crossing violations will increase.
Trying to beat a train by running a railroad crossing barrier or ignoring lights will cost the offender $100 for the first citation and $200 for the second. And if a driver attempts to do so more than once in the same year--and survives to pay the fine--it’ll be $250.
“Like running a red light, running a railroad crossing is inherently very dangerous. There’s no excuse for it,” Bisno said. “But the question is whether a $100 fine would stop [a driver from doing it].”
Speeding Trucks. In an attempt to slow big trucks in California, AB 1650 mandates that drivers of commercial vehicles who exceed the highway speed limit by more than 15 mph will be guilty of a misdemeanor--a serious traffic violation. Violators will also be subject to additional sanctions.
Bicycle Signals. There’s also good news for California bicyclists, as a new law allows special signals to be installed at intersections where there is a high volume of bicycle travel.
At present, the UC Davis campus and the surrounding community of Davis are the only places in the state where such color-lit bicycle signals are being used. But with the adoption of AB 134, cities throughout the state can install signals that will allow right of way to bicycles. The signals will be similar to left-turn signals on traffic lights.
The aim of the law, designed to benefit both cyclists and motorists, is to separate the traffic flow, as well as underscore bicyclists’ and motorists’ respective responsibilities on the road, said Ray Mellen, the Auto Club’s community programs manager.
Hand Signals. Drivers who prefer to use hand and arm signals when turning must now do so in unison with their vehicles’ flashers. Under SB 533, turn signals must be given by a “signal lamp unless they are broken or not required on the vehicle.”
So if the flashers work, use them. Drivers of classic cars or older vehicles without lights are off the hook and can use their hands and arms.
Carpool Privileges. Finally, motorists who drive electric cars or other low-polluting vehicles will be allowed to use carpool lanes even if they are driving solo. The DMV will issue decals for such vehicles to be identified under AB 71, which will take effect July 1.
* To read the full texts of the new laws, readers can consult the Web sites of the California Senate (https://www.senate.ca.gov) and Assembly (https://www.assembly.ca.gov). The Department of Motor Vehicles lists these and other bills on the Web at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/leg/2000leg.htm).
Jeanne Wright cannot answer mail personally but responds in this column to automotive questions of general interest. Write to Your Wheels, Business Section, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. E-mail: highway1@latimes.com.
