By ALEJANDRO CANO
Several new traffic laws go into effect this year in California
In 2011, the California Legislature approved new laws relating to booster seats, drunk driving, vehicle fees and vehicle purchases that take effect in 2012, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.
AS OF JAN. 1, young passengers ages six and seven are now required to ride in a booster seat in any vehicle unless they are at least 4-feet-9 inches tall, said AAA. Previously, only child passengers who were up to age six or weighing less than 60 pounds were required to ride in a booster seat, added AAA.
"Traffic safety research shows that children aged four to seven are 59 percent less likely to be injured in a vehicle crash if they are in a car seat or booster seat than if it they are wearing a seat belt. Adult-size seat belts do not properly protect young children because they don't fit them correctly," said Alice Bisno, senior vice president for public affairs at AAA in a press release.
The fine for the first violation of the new booster seat law is $100 and $250 for the second offense, but penalty assessments will push the cost of that ticket to $446 for a first-time offense and more than $1,000 for a second offense, said AAA.
ANOTHER LAW taking effect on 2012 is AB 520, which allows a person convicted of alcohol-related reckless driving to apply for a restricted license after three months instead of a year as currently allowed. The law allows the offender to obtain a restricted license only if he or she complies with specific requirements, such as installing an ignition-interlock device in their cars.
MEANWHILE, AB 353, which prohibits law enforcement from impounding a vehicle at a sobriety checkpoint if the driver lacks a valid license, took effect Jan. 1. The new law was sponsored by Assemblyman Gilbert Cedillo from Los Angeles and Michael Allen from Santa Rosa and it gives unlicensed drivers enough time to find a legal driver to avoid vehicle impound.
The law, human rights activists said, will prevent economic hardships to families of unlicensed drivers who are often undocumented residents. In cities like Los Angeles and Oakland, police departments modified their impound policies even before the bill became law, allowing unlicensed drivers time to avoid impound.
The issue created some controversy in Fontana, which has a relatively high percentage of undocumented residents. Each year, the city conducts many DUI/driver's license checkpoints, which are funded by grants by the California Office of Traffic Safety.
ON JULY 1 of this year, AB 1215 will take effect. Under the new law, new-car dealers are required to electronically register a new vehicle with the Department of Motors and Vehicles (DMV) when it is sold. The new law allows dealers to charge up to $80 for electronic document processing and up to $65 for manual processing.
THAT SAME DAY, vehicle registration fees will rise by $12, from $31 to $43 per year, said AAA. This new fee will be charged along with the vehicle license fee. The new law will generate more than $360 million for the state to fund the DMV. The law does not apply to motorcycles, off-road vehicles or recreational vehicles.
ANOTHER LAW taking effect on 2012 is AB 520, which allows a person convicted of alcohol-related reckless driving to apply for a restricted license after three months instead of a year as currently allowed. The law allows the offender to obtain a restricted license only if he or she complies with specific requirements, such as installing an ignition-interlock device in their cars.
MEANWHILE, AB 353, which prohibits law enforcement from impounding a vehicle at a sobriety checkpoint if the driver lacks a valid license, took effect Jan. 1. The new law was sponsored by Assemblyman Gilbert Cedillo from Los Angeles and Michael Allen from Santa Rosa and it gives unlicensed drivers enough time to find a legal driver to avoid vehicle impound.
The law, human rights activists said, will prevent economic hardships to families of unlicensed drivers who are often undocumented residents. In cities like Los Angeles and Oakland, police departments modified their impound policies even before the bill became law, allowing unlicensed drivers time to avoid impound.
The issue created some controversy in Fontana, which has a relatively high percentage of undocumented residents. Each year, the city conducts many DUI/driver's license checkpoints, which are funded by grants by the California Office of Traffic Safety.
ON JULY 1 of this year, AB 1215 will take effect. Under the new law, new-car dealers are required to electronically register a new vehicle with the Department of Motors and Vehicles (DMV) when it is sold. The new law allows dealers to charge up to $80 for electronic document processing and up to $65 for manual processing.
THAT SAME DAY, vehicle registration fees will rise by $12, from $31 to $43 per year, said AAA. This new fee will be charged along with the vehicle license fee. The new law will generate more than $360 million for the state to fund the DMV. The law does not apply to motorcycles, off-road vehicles or recreational vehicles.
For more information on criminal, DUI, and traffic matters please, call our office at 305-548-5020.
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