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I. Recent Changes/Reasons for Trac Laws

Accurate knowledge of trac laws is important if you want to ensure safety and avoid the consequences of
viola ng the law. The California Department of Motor Vehicles dra s the trac rules and regula ons, which
every driver in the state has to learn and apply. It is also important for drivers to keep track of changes in the
law to avoid any unpleasant surprises while driving.
Recently passed/changed trac related laws

Here is a list of the new trac laws in the State of California for the year 2014
Financial Responsibility
When requested by law enforcement, drivers must produce proof of nancial responsibility. It can be a paper
document or an electronic version displayed on a mobile device.
Electronic Wireless Communica ons
A driver 18 years of age or older, can use an electronic wireless communica ons device that is designed and
congured to allow voice opera ons, hands free opera on to dictate, send, or listen to text based
communica ons when opera ng a vehicle.
Medical Repor ng Changes for Fireghter Endorsement

Fireghters are required to submit a Medical Examina on Report (DL 51) every 4 years instead of the previous
requirement of every 2 years. In addi on, non-commercially licensed reghters must submit a self-cer fying
Health Ques onnaire (DL 546).
New Driving Under the Inuence (DUI) Sanc ons

The urine test is no longer one of the three chemical tests to determine a drivers drug content when arrested
for a DUI of alcohol, drugs, or a combina on of both, unless the individual:
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Is unable to provide a blood and/or breath sample.

Has a heart condi on, or is taking an -coagulate narco cs as directed by a licensed physician.
Is a hemophiliac.

High Occupancy Toll Lanes

The law exempts low emission and hybrid vehicles eligible to use High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) lanes from
toll charges required on High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, unless prohibited by federal law.
Obstruc on or Altera on of License Plates

Selling of a visual or electronic product or device that obscures the reading or recogni on of a license plate is
prohibited. The law also prohibits the opera on of a vehicle with such a product or device.
1. Changes to technology

The transport systems and the trac management systems have evolved and
changed dras cally over the years. One of the main reasons for these changes is the
change in the technology, which plays an important role in trac regula on and
control. Dra ing and implemen ng the corresponding trac laws has also changed
as a result.
One such notable change is the development of "green vehicles", which are less harmful to the environment.
Green vehicles also refer to the zero emission vehicles that do not release any harmful pollutants into the
atmosphere. California has modied its trac laws to take the benets of these vehicles into considera on.
California introduced the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) regula on in 1990, to reduce greenhouse gases and
improve air quality. To support the ZEV program, and to encourage use of low-emission hybrid and electric
cars, California passed a law that required local communi es to create designated parking and refueling places
for these cars. The state also modied laws to enable ZEVs to use HOV lanes in some instances, an advantage
most other vehicles do not have.
Changes in Driving Technique

The driver's a tude on the road and the driving techniques used also contribute
to changes in trac laws. Automobiles today are built with cu ng-edge
technology that ensures safety of the driver and passengers. Unlike cars and
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trucks from the past, today's vehicles can be driven eciently at higher speeds.
This has also led to the need for changes in driving techniques and new laws to
accommodate these changes.
3 Feet Safety Law for Bicycles

Motorists are required to maintain a 3-foot buer between themselves and bicyclists when they pass cyclists
traveling in the same direc on. If not enough space is available, the motorist must slow down and pass "when
no danger is present to the bicyclist".
The Three Feet for Safety Act contains two penal es. For a viola on that does not result in an injury, the base
ne is $35, which becomes a $233 ne for the oender once court and administra ve fees are added. For a
viola on that involves a collision injuring a bicyclist, the base ne is $220, which becomes $959 with fees.

A. Reasons for Trac Laws

Imagine a place with hundreds of cars, trucks, motorcycles and absolutely no trac signals or road signs. What
would you expect? U er chaos! Absence of trac laws or signals would leave drivers confused and dras cally
increase the number of collisions. This would also increase death, injuries, property and vehicle damage and
loss. That's why we need trac laws and regula ons. Governmental agencies impose restric ons on public
roadways to improve everyone's driving techniques and ensure safety on na onal or state highways, city
streets and country roads.
Trac laws are usually wri en by State authori es. In most cases, the state legislature writes these laws. Local
governments also formulate some local trac laws as prescribed in the California Vehicle Code. Research into
geographical, physical and trac condi ons inuences the regula ons that are dra ed and implemented. Laws
always focus on ensuring safety, crea ng a common understanding among drivers, maintaining order and
enabling the smooth ow of trac.
1. Safety

Did you know that thousands of people are injured and killed in California because drivers violate trac laws?
One of the main reasons for having trac laws is to ensure safe driving condi ons.
The rules and regula ons of the road have been established by the State of
California to reduce unsafe trac condi ons that could endanger the public.
These trac regula ons enable safe transporta on of people, animals and goods
throughout the state.
Is wri ng more legisla on to protect drivers enough? Maybe not, but if there were
no trac laws, how many people would drive safely? The answer is very few. The
government has specic trac laws and penal es to punish motorists as well as
pedestrians who violate the laws and cause collisions that result in injury, death,
and damage or loss of property.

Laws and the trac educa on programs that the DMV and state government create help drivers operate
vehicles more responsibly and safely. So, if your goal is to drive your vehicle without hur ng yourself or others,
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it is extremely important that you remember the trac rules and laws and prac ce safer driving.
2. Common understanding

Another reason for having trac laws is to create uniformity of thought and ac on by common understanding.
When there is a set of common rules and regula ons for everyone, drivers nd it easier to communicate with
each other and prevent collisions. Using these dened norms also enables trac management authori es to
coordinate and help move trac smoothly.
There are many things to keep in mind while driving in trac, including the rules of the road. For instance,
there are signals and indicators you may have to use when opera ng the vehicle. These signals allow other
people on the road to understand how your vehicle is going to move, so they can maneuver accordingly and
avoid collisions. You should also remember the "right-of-way" for dierent drivers in various situa ons, which
should also be applied to your driving.
No one rule or law could possibly accommodate all poten ally dangerous driving situa ons. This is why the law
and trac management authori es have devised a comprehensive set of rules for opera ng vehicles. You
should also remember that the trac laws and regula ons may not necessarily be the same for all states. A
driver's educa on course would usually only help you learn the trac laws and rules relevant to a par cular
state.
One way to stay out of trouble and avoid ge ng cited in a new state is to familiarize yourself with a state's
trac laws and road rules before you enter the state.
3. Keeping order and movement of trac
Trac regula ons are developed using trac engineering. Trac engineering
considers the geography, landscape and use of trac management devices to
enable safe and smooth trac movement. This is usually done by designing
and construc ng dened spaces like highways, one-way streets, roundabouts, sidewalks, crosswalks, lanes etc. Trac laws then ensure these spaces
are used correctly.
Separate spaces for pedestrians and moving vehicles establish order and
reduce trac conges on. They also ensure the con nuous movement of
trac. For example, trac lights or signals are used to regulate movement of trac in more congested areas.
However, other trac regula ons control trac ow on highways or other roadways where trac lights are
usually not present.
Don't Get Confused

All drivers need to know trac rules. The California DMV publishes informa on on all state driving laws and
makes it easy for drivers to access them. However, drivers o en nd certain laws and regula ons confusing.

For example, people think it is OK to use earplugs while driving an automobile or opera ng a motorcycle. The
law prevents drivers from covering both ears with earplugs or headphones unless you drive an emergency
vehicle or a trash truck. Many people think they should always use headlights when they use windshield
wipers. However, very few people know that using the headlights is compulsory only when you are constantly
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using the windshield wipers in rain, fog, snow or mist.

It may seem dicult to remember all the rules at all mes, but when you apply them prac cally it becomes
easier.
Learning about the law as well as the trac rules will help maintain the order in trac that the State of
California aims to achieve. The goal of this course is to help you do this.

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