Woodland California Motorist New Laws

Motorist laws that will take effect until July 1 include:


-- Cell Phones and Driving. SB 1613 prohibits the use of handheld
cellular telephones while driving. Starting July 1, 2008, an adult driver
may use a cell phone only if it has a hands-free listening and speaking
system. Drivers ticketed for a violation will be subject to a fine of at
least $70 (base fine plus penalties) for a first offense and at least $175
(base fine plus penalties) for subsequent offenses.

-- Teen Drivers and Cell Phones. SB 33 prohibits drivers under age 18
from using any cell phone or other "mobile-service device" while driving,
even if it is equipped with a hands-free device.

The term "mobile-service device" includes, but isn't limited to, a
broadband personal-communication device, specialized mobile radio
device, handheld device or laptop computer with mobile-data access,
pager, and two-way messaging device. Teen drivers ticketed for a
violation will be subject to a fine of at least $70 (base fine plus
penalties) for a first offense and at least $175 (base fine plus
penalties) for subsequent offenses. Unlike the ban on handheld cell
phones, a law enforcement officer may cite a teen for a suspected
violation of this law only in connection with another suspected driving
offense.

Motorist-related laws that took effect on Jan. 1, 2008 include:


-- Key Codes. SB 1542 gives motorists a convenient and secure option for getting replacement keys when theirs have been lost, stolen, or damaged. Automakers must provide, at any time, the key codes necessary for a licensed and registered locksmith to make a replacement key for vehicles sold or leased in California on or after January 1, 2008. Exceptions include automakers that sell fewer than 2,500 vehicles annually, and manufacturers that make their own keys -- i.e. BMW and Mercedes-Benz -- who have until 2013 to comply with the law provided that, in the interim, they send a replacement key by overnight mail.

-- License Plates. AB 801 makes it illegal to sell or use a product that
obstructs or impairs the recognition of a license plate by an electronic
device operated by police or toll authority, such as a red-light camera.
The fine for obscuring a license plate is about $146, and the fine for
selling such a product is $900.

-- School Zones. AB 321 will now allow local jurisdictions to adopt an
ordinance establishing a speed limit of 15 miles per hour in a school zone. The 15-mph speed limit must be posted and applies up to 500 feet from the school. A 25-mph limit will apply at a distance of 500-1,000 feet from the school.

-- Street Racing. SB 67 reauthorizes a law that lapsed in 2006. It allows
police to impound a vehicle for 30 days when a person is arrested for
street racing, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving.

-- Smoking in Vehicles. SB 7 prohibits anyone from smoking a cigarette, a cigar, or a pipe in a vehicle, whether in motion or not, in which there is a minor. The smoker can be fined up to $100. Police can only cite for this violation in connection with a stop for a suspected violation of another driving offense.

-- Traffic School. AB 645 prohibits a court from allowing a driver who
commits a two-point violation from attending traffic school. Two-point
violations include drunk driving, hit-and-run, speed contests, evading an
officer, and vehicular manslaughter.

-- Gasoline Dispensing. Concerns about the high cost of gasoline have
prompted scrutiny into whether gasoline loses fuel efficiency when it is
stored, delivered or dispensed at a higher temperature than 60 degrees
Fahrenheit. AB 868 requires the state to conduct a study on the effects of temperature on fuel deliveries and to report the study findings. When the study is complete, recommendations will be made to address its findings.