California Motorists Face New Laws in 2002

LOS ANGELES--Dec. 28, 2001--California motorists will face a number of new state laws enacted this year, including laws supporting child passenger safety, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.

``Many of the new laws target safety and children, distracted driving, red light enforcement, highway memorial signs, impounded vehicles and uninsured motorist coverage,'' said Alice Bisno, the Auto Club's vice president for legislative and regulatory affairs. ``We believe they will benefit California children and motorists.''

The following are among the new laws taking effect Jan. 1, unless otherwise noted:

Distracted Driving -- AB 770 requires that law enforcement officers report on instances of driver distraction or inattention that may have caused or contributed to a traffic collision, including cell phones, electronic devices, radios, smoking, eating, children, animals, personal hygiene or similar distractions. The California Highway Patrol will compile the data and report its findings and recommendations by Dec. 31, 2002. The Auto Club supported the measure.

Children Unattended in Vehicles -- Supported by the Auto Club, SB 255, ``Kaitlyn's Law,'' prohibits leaving a child six years of age or younger in a motor vehicle if conditions present a significant risk, the engine is running or the key is left in the ignition. Penalties include a $100 fine, part of which will be used to develop and implement programs to educate the public about the dangers of leaving children in vehicles.

Child Passenger Safety Seats -- This law was enacted last year but becomes effective Jan. 1. The law requires children up to age six or 60 pounds traveling in a vehicle be restrained in approved child safety seats. The law authorizes police officers to stop a vehicle transporting children under the age of 16 if it's believed that the children are not properly restrained. Violations can result in a $100 fine for the first offense and $250 for a subsequent offense. In addition, a conviction will result in a one-point violation on the driver's record. The Auto Club supported this bill.

Red Light Enforcement -- SB 667, which the Auto Club supported, establishes minimum yellow light interval requirements, based on the Caltrans Traffic Manual of the Dept. of Transportation, at all intersections using automated enforcement systems. Standardizing yellow light intervals will assure that the yellow light timing will be set for safety rather than revenue-generating purposes. The legislation arose from concerns that yellow light intervals at certain San Diego intersections equipped with the red light cameras were too short.

Backup Traffic Signals -- SB 84-2x establishes a grant program to fund battery backup power sources for certain traffic signals to respond to potential emergencies created by rolling electricity blackouts. The Auto Club supported this traffic safety measure to assure that signals will continue to function during blackouts. The measure took effect Oct. 1, 2001.

Impounded Vehicles -- AB 360 provides that a vehicle impounded because the driver had no license or a suspended license shall be released to the registered owner before the end of a 30-day holding period if the driver reinstates or acquires a driver's license and provides proof of insurance. The Dept. of Motor Vehicles and the California Highway Patrol must conduct an education campaign to notify the public that vehicles driven by unlicensed drivers are subject to impoundment. The Auto Club supported the measure.

Highway Memorial Signs -- Allows immediate family members to request Caltrans to erect a ``please don't drink and drive in memory of...'' sign in memory of a relative lost in a crash caused by drunk or drug-related driving. The sponsoring family must pay all costs for placing and maintaining the sign.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage -- SB 81 extends uninsured motorist benefits to policyholders injured by their own vehicle when the vehicle is used without the policyholder's permission during the commission of a crime, such as car-jacking. To prevent fraudulent claims, the motorist must file a police report.

Mediation of Insurance Claims -- SB 708 extends the mediation program established by the Dept. of Insurance for the 1994 Northridge earthquake claims to auto and residential insurance claims. To be eligible for the program, the claim must exceed $7,500 and the amount in dispute must exceed $2,000.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest AAA affiliate, has been serving members since 1900. Today, Auto Club members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance service, financial products, travel agency and trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs, insurance products and services, automotive pricing, and buying and financing programs. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.