Walnut Creek, Calif., December 21, 2009 – The rules of the road are once again changing and AAA Northern California wants drivers to be aware of several new laws that will affect them in the coming year. Some of the new regulations about to take effect are aimed at financing transportation projects, cracking down on DUI offenders, and improving safety for emergency vehicles and tow trucks.
"As a driver, you want to be aware of the new rules of the road, and AAA hopes to alert people to the latest changes," said Matt Skryja, AAA Northern California spokesperson. "You don't want flashing lights in your rearview mirror to be your first clue that the rules have changed."
New Laws for 2010
DUI Offenders Ignition Interlock Device Pilot Project
AAA supports AB 91, authored by Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-West Hollywood), which establishes a pilot project in the counties of Alameda, Sacramento, Tulare, and Los Angeles to mandate installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for first time DUI offenders. The IID must be installed on every vehicle that the offender owns or is allowed to operate. For a first offense that did not involve bodily injury, the IID must be installed for a mandatory five months. If the offense did involve bodily injury, the mandatory installation period is one year. For subsequent offenses, the mandatory installation period is longer. Effective July 1, 2010.
Two 'Move Over' Bills
AAA supports two new 'move over' laws. SB 159, authored by Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), makes permanent California's "Slow Down and Move Over" law. When approaching an emergency vehicle or tow truck displaying emergency lights on the highway motorists must slow down and move out of the lane adjacent to the emergency vehicle, if it's safe to do so. Additionally, SB 240 authored by Rod Wright (D-Inglewood) expands the "Slow Down and Move Over" law to include Caltrans vehicles that are flashing amber lights. Effective January 1, 2010.
Toll Roads and Bridges
The California Transportation Financing Authority (CFTA) will be created by AB 798, authored by Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara). CFTA will oversee funding for an increase in new transportation projects and improvement projects through the issuance of revenue bonds, which can be backed by tolls. The bill also authorizes the use of public-public partnerships for project financing. AB 1175 authored by Assemblyman Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch) adds the Antioch and Dumbarton bridges to the Toll Bridge Seismic Retrofit program and as a result bridge tolls are likely to increase or be restructured to help pay for these retrofit projects. Effective January 1, 2010.
AAA Northern California offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance, DMV, financial services and consumer discounts to nearly 4 million members. AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 100 years ago.
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