There are new laws that will change for California drivers in 2016.

January 1 ^st didn’t only ring in the new year, it ushered in new laws for California motorists. The California Department of Motor Vehicles recently released an updated list of approved Senate and Assembly bills, and what drivers can expect for the new year.
Did you know that California has been ranked as the most dangerous state for road users in the U.S.? Accidents on the road are the leading cause of accidental death for people under the age of 34. Automobile accidents occur frequently (over 35 million happen annually). Young drivers have a disproportionate number of accidents, and regardless of the driver’s age, speeding and/or substance abuse are often involved. To combat this, California Lawmakers are placing new laws for drivers.
Take a look at some of the new laws that will be enforced in our Fresno, California roads:

• AB-8: Hit-and-Run Incidents
  Law enforcement agencies can now issue, so-called, Yellow Alerts if a person has been killed or seriously injured in a hit-and-run incident for which law enforcement has information about the suspect or the suspect’s vehicle, including a partial license plate number. The law authorizes California Highway Patrol to use digital message signs when requested by local law enforcement. It also encourages radio, television, and cable and satellite systems to cooperate with disseminating the identifying information.
• AB-53: Child Safety Seats
  Children under the age of 2 must be secured in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system when being driven in a motor vehicle unless the child weighs 40+ pounds, or is 40+ inches tall.
• AB-208: Highway Lane Use
  Slow-moving passenger vehicles, which now include bicycles, must pull over safely and let traffic pass. Bicycles can use the next available turnout or another area to let backed-up traffic of five or more vehicles pass.
• SB 438: Reporting Traffic Crashes
  Any motorist involved in a traffic accident resulting in property damage of at least $1,000 must report it to the California Department of Motor Vehicles using an SR-1 form.
• SB 491: Earbud Use
  While operating a motor vehicle or bicycle, drivers and cyclists cannot wear headsets or earbuds that cover, rest on, or are inserted into both ears.

For more information on the DMV’s new traffic laws, visit their website here. For better protection on and off the roads, contact McCarty Insurance Agency. Located in Fresno, California, we serve residents with quality auto insurance policies to suit their needs and budget!