New Rules of the Road Take Effect on Friday

As 2020 comes to an end, Pasadena motorists should start learning about some new roadway safety laws that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will begin enforcing, some as early as New Year’s Day. 

Also taking effect on Jan.1 are “Move Over, Slow Down” amendments, or AB 2285, which extends the provisions of the “Move Over, Slow Down” law currently in place on freeways to also apply to local streets and roads. This means drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying emergency lights, including tow trucks and Caltrans vehicles, must now move to another lane when possible or slow to a reasonable speed on all highways, not just freeways.  

As always, be wary of using cell phones while driving; using them in a handheld manner is currently punishable by a fine. Under AB 47, which covers license points for “distracted driving,” violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record. 

AB 2717 will now exempt any person from civil or criminal liability for trespassing or damaging a vehicle when rescuing a child who is six years old or younger left unattended inside a vehicle and who is in immediate danger from heat, cold, lack of ventilation, or other dangerous circumstances. The law takes effect Jan 1. 

CHP will begin implementing this additional provision on July 1. This applies to the violations of talking or texting while driving (except for hands-free use) and to any use of these devices while driving by a person under 18 years of age. So before you even start the engine, better have that cell phone set to hands-free use. 

Beginning Sept. 29, according to SB 909, authorized emergency vehicles may use a “Hi-Lo” warning sound. This distinctive sound, different from a siren, would be used to notify the public of an immediate need to evacuate an area in an emergency. 

The CHP is currently developing regulations to standardize the Hi-Lo warning sound statewide. Until the regulations are adopted, law enforcement agencies can use the Hi-Lo warning sound by obtaining a permit from the CHP. 

For more information, visit www.chp.ca.gov.