The original item was published from January 30, 2017 12:33 PM to February 1, 2017 10:19 AM
Following the November 8, 2016 election, there are several new laws now in effect that impact the way Californians and visitors travel on our roads.
AB 1785 dramatically changes the way we participate in hands-free driving and aims to reduce distracted driving related crashes. This new law mandates that drivers have their wireless telephone or electronic wireless communication devices mounted in their vehicles while in use. Now, driving with your phone in hand and speakerphone activated will no longer pass the hands-free test.
Rather than holding the device, it must be mounted in the 7-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver, or in a 5-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest to the driver. Another option is to affix the device to the dashboard in the place that does not obstruct the driver’s clear view of the road.
AB 53 requires children under two years of age to ride rear-facing in an appropriate passenger safety seat. Children weighing 40 or more pounds, or standing 40 or more inches tall, are exempt. California law continues to require that all children under the age of eight be property restrained in an appropriate child safety seat in the back seat of a vehicle.
For complete information on additional bills enacted in 2016, please visit
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/.
Did you know: If you need to activate your windshield wipers while driving, you must also turn on your headlights? Let’s all do our part to stay safe while driving in wet weather.