New year will bring new laws for California drivers

During the 2006 legislative year, almost 1,400 bills were passed and more than 900 signed into law—including 145 changes to the California Vehicle Code.

Among the new laws about to go into effect are increased penalties for street racing (speed contests), an increase in the suspension of a driver’s license to 10 months for firsttime DUI offenders with a blood-alcohol content of 0.20 percent, and leg

islation that requires the DMV to report DUI convictions on a public driving record for 10 years, instead of the current reporting period of seven years.

Following is a summary of some of the new laws that in most cases will take effect Jan. 1.

•It will be an infraction to allow a person to ride in the trunk of a car.

•Drivers will have to perform specific precautionary actions on a highway when passing a stopped emergency vehicle when emergency lights are on.

•The California Wireless Telephone Act will prohibit drivers from driving while using a handheld cellphone. This law will go into effect July 1, 2008.

•Nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and physicians’ assistants will be allowed to certify a disability for the purpose of issuing a disabled placard.

For more information, visit www.dmv.ca.gov.