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New Traffic Laws in California as of 1/1/13

By
Real Estate Agent with Compass CA DRE# 01215160

Changes to traffic laws in California are coming

as of January 1, 2013


Every year, new driving laws go into effect in California. This January 1, 2013, will see some interesting changes, a number of which relate to technology and how we use it:

  • AB 1536: Makes it legal to send and receive text messages with hands-free devices powered by voice-operated software.
  • AB 1708: Drivers will have the right to show proof of insurance and registration on a smartphone or tablet when pulled over.
  • SB 1298: Self-driving cars will be allowed on public roads for testing purposes as long as a licensed driver is in the driver's seat.

Other new driving laws of note:

  • AB 2020: A person arrested for suspected DUI will no longer be given the option of a urine test. (In previous years, the option was given of either a urine test or a blood test.)
  • AB 45: Bus and limousine drivers will be held responsible for telling all underage passengers that drinking alcohol is illegal. If alcohol is being transported with underage passengers on board, a person at least 25 year old must be on board to ensure there is no underage consumption of alcohol.
  • AB 2405: Cars with Clean Air Vehicle stickers will be allowed to use High Occupancy Toll lanes.
  • SB 1047: a Silver Alert system, similar to the Amber Alert, will begin. The Silver Alert is for missing people over 65 years of age.

Be in the know and stay safe while driving on the Peninsula and in the Silicon Valley - and wherever your journeys may take you.


Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

Interesting.  I can not believe all the bus drivers are going to tell their passengers that underage drinking is illegal.  Don't they have enough to do?

Dec 30, 2012 12:01 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

I suspect it will be an announcement before the drive commences, similar to the seatbelt and emergency directions flight attendants give on commercial flights.. Happy New Year, Dick and Chris.

Dec 30, 2012 01:17 AM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Wow, some very interesting new laws going into the new year.  Pretty good stuff too Lottie.

Dec 30, 2012 02:25 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

self-driving cars still sounds futuristic to me, Roger. But--it seems like I should be expecting to see them on our roadways.

Dec 30, 2012 04:41 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Oh dear.  Hands free texting.  That sounds safe :(.  Thanks for these, Lottie.  I didn't not know most of them.

Dec 30, 2012 10:12 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Jane, it's scary to contemplate, until you see that the texting is legal when using hand-free, voice activated texting. The idea of driverless cars still seems futuristic to me!

 

Dec 30, 2012 01:11 PM
Laura Allen, Lake Tahoe - Truckee Real Estate for Sale TahoeLauraRealEstate.com
Coldwell Banker Realty, Tahoe City, CA (530) 414-1260 - Tahoe City, CA
Tahoe Real Estate Agent Helping Buyers and Sellers

Lottie - Interesting new laws that will go into effect in 2013.  I like the Silver Alert. It''ll be good to get the word out  when one of our senior citizens is in trouble.

Dec 30, 2012 02:43 PM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Lottie,  California is on the cutting edge with their new traffic laws, but can't believe self-driving cars.  Hmmm.

Jan 02, 2013 10:17 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Lottie, how considerate of you to take the time to blog about these changes in traffic and highway laws in California.  I know that your local readers will gretly appreciate it.

Jan 02, 2013 10:32 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Lottie, I am on board with all of these except the self-driving cars.  I recently only learned about these from my son. Who knows, maybe these cars will have fewer accidents. 

Jan 02, 2013 11:59 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Laura, Silver Alert is a great way to get the word out to a large number of people about a missing elder.

Mary, Google is one of the promoters of self-driving cars. We have cars that park themselves (which I don't trust either!)

Judi, there are changes in our laws every year; some always take me by surprise so I figure others might not have heard about them either.

Kathleen, I guess that's what happens when we live in Google Country!

Jan 02, 2013 08:00 PM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Lottie, it is so interesting to see what is happening in the West coast...everything moves East...thanks for sharing.

Jan 02, 2013 08:47 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Watch out for those driverless cars, Ginny! :)

Jan 02, 2013 08:51 PM
Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
Samson Properties - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

AB 1708: Drivers will have the right to show proof of insurance and registration on a smartphone or tablet when pulled over.-I really like this one. But self-driving cars on the road? I dont know. I know someone will be in it. But what if? You never know. Happy New Year to you Lottie.

Jan 03, 2013 02:54 AM
Nancy Laswick
United Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
Your REALTOR® For The Valley Of The Sun

Hi Lottie, my two favorites are the self-driving cars and be able to show registration and proof of insurance by electronic device. Thanks for sharing.

Jan 06, 2013 02:53 PM