2007 New Road Rules - California

Ringing in the New Year includes being subject to new and amended laws. Starting January 1, 2007, the following new driving laws take effect:

Emergency Vehicle Personnel Protection:  If you, as a driver, are approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle or tow truck with it siren or emergency lights activated.  What must you do?  Under the new law, you must proceed carefully and move your vehicle into the available lane at least two lanes away from the emergency vehicle or tow truck!  If such a move is not safe, not practical, not possible, or not legal, then you should, instead, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed for the conditions.  The purpose of this new law is to decrease the danger to emergency vehicle and tow truck personal working on the side of the road. (Law expires January 1, 2010, unless renewed).  This law is derived from State Senator Simitian’s yearly, “There Oughta Be a Law” contest.

Reckless Driving and Street Racing:  For all of you street racers, commencing 1/1/2007, it is now a felony offense to engage in street racing or reckless driving that causes great bodily injury.  Great bodily injury includes loss of consciousness, concussion, bone fractures, wounds requiring extensive suturing, serious disfigurement, and paralysis. 

No “Trunking.”  It is unlawful for a person to knowingly drive a motor vehicle while another person is riding in the trunk.  Now I know this may radically change some of your driving habits, but, seriously, there’s a good reason for this new law.  Since 2000, there have been 153 collisions involving trunking that have caused 9 deaths and 140 injuries.  The law fines both the driver and the person(s) riding in the trunk.  This is typically a teen issue (e.g., goofing around or trying to evade CA graduated driver licensing law restrictions).

Underage Driving Under the Influence:  It is now a criminal offense instead of a civil penalty for a driver under 21 year of age to have a measurable blood-alcohol concentration of 0.01 percent or greater.  First-offense offenders will be fined a minimum of $350.

…And in approximately a year and a half:

Cell phone Restrictions:  Starting July 1, 2008, you can’t use a cell phone in the car unless you have a hands-free listening and speaking system.  “Push to talk” systems are not subject to the hands-free requirement until July 1, 2011.   Fines: $70 for first offense and $175 for subsequent offenses. 

The above is not an all-inclusive list of new driving laws.  For a more extensive list, see www.aaa-calif.com/corpinfo/cvc_changes_2006.pdf and/or www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/newsrel/newsrel06/2006-42.htm.

Copyright 2006.