New California Traffic Laws 2024
California’s traffic laws are undergoing significant changes in 2024. From the implementation of speed cameras at intersections to the ban on cruising prohibitions, these laws reflect the state’s commitment to improve road safety and reduce traffic fatalities. California Highway Patrol (CHP), announced the latest traffic safety improvements that will be enforced as of January 1, 2024.
Ban On Cruising Prohibitions (AB 436)
Assembly Bill 436 ends the statewide cruising prohibitions. Cruising, the act of driving leisurely on city streets, is deeply rooted in car culture. While lowriding is very popular in Latino, Chicano, and Hispanic communities, people of all backgrounds have joined in on the cruising and lowriding lifestyle. This new law removes the authorization for local governments to regulate cruising through ordinances. The law will also allow “lowriders” to cruise California’s streets by removing the ban on modifying vehicles to a certain low height.
Speed Cameras (AB 645)
Speeding is a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities. The faster a motorist is traveling, the more likely a crash is to occur. For example, at an impact speed of 39 mph, the average risk of pedestrians suffering life-threatening or fatal injuries is 75%. This increases to 90% when the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 46 mph.
Assembly Bill 645 allows 6 cities in California to conduct speed camera pilot programs in school zones and at intersections and known street racing corridors. These cities include Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose. The intersection cameras will be installed at locations that have a high occurrence of fatal and injury crashes and will capture vehicles that exceed the posted speed limits. However, the speed cameras will only collect license plate data.
Increased Visibility at Crosswalks (AB 413)
Assembly Bill 413 focuses on increasing visibility at crosswalks across California. When motor vehicle drivers park their cars and trucks at a crosswalk line, it reduces visibility for vehicles approaching the crosswalk.
Children are especially at risk because they are shorter and less likely to be spotted behind a parked car. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 162,298 children were injured in traffic crashes in 2021 which is a 17% increase from 2020. Improved visibility is crucial for ensuring the safety of pedestrians, especially in high-traffic areas and intersections.
This law makes it illegal for vehicles to stop or park along a curb at least 20 feet from a marked or unmarked crosswalk. In addition, it is prohibited to park or stop within 15 feet of a crosswalk where a curb extension is present. This will allow pedestrians to have a better view of oncoming traffic.
Failure to Attend Traffic Violator School (AB 466)
Assembly Bill 466 addresses the issue of non-attendance at traffic school by implementing stricter measures. Attending traffic school is often a requirement for individuals who receive certain traffic violations.
According to this new law, failing to attend traffic school can result in a misdemeanor charge, not an infraction. However, the failure to attend traffic violator school is not punishable by a new offense.
Traffic Stops (AB 2773)
Assembly Bill 2773 introduces reforms to the process of traffic stops in California, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability in law enforcement interactions with motorists.
This new law emphasizes the importance of de-escalation techniques and respectful communication during traffic stops to minimize conflict and promote cooperation. The legislation also addresses concerns regarding racial profiling and biased enforcement practices and emphasizes the need for fair treatment of all motorists.
Verifying Registration Before Removing a Vehicle (AB 925)
Assembly Bill 925 aims to prevent the unnecessary towing or impoundment of vehicles due to administrative errors or discrepancies in registration status. Therefore, law enforcement agencies will need to verify the current registration status before removing the vehicle.
This bill prohibits a vehicle from being removed if it has a current registration on file with the department or if the peace officer or salaried employee who enforces parking laws and regulations does not have immediate access to the department’s records.
Vehicles Parked in Bicycle Lanes (AB 361)
Assembly Bill 361 addresses the issue of vehicles parked in bicycle lanes, a common problem that poses risks to cyclists and impedes the flow of traffic. AB 361 prohibits the parking of vehicles in designated bicycle lanes and allows local authorities to install cameras to enforce the parking rules. These cameras will capture images of vehicles unlawfully parked in bicycle lanes.
This new law imposes penalties for vehicles parked in bicycle lanes, such as fines or towing, to deter this behavior and ensure compliance with the law.
U.S. Traffic Deaths Remain Above Pre-Pandemic Levels
Despite efforts to improve road safety and implement stricter traffic laws, traffic-related fatalities in the United States remain above pre-pandemic levels. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traffic fatalities hit a 20-year high. Over 9,600 people died in auto accidents in the first quarter of 2022.
Notably, traffic deaths are on the rise in California. The National Transportation Research Nonprofit (TRIP) revealed that California traffic fatalities increased by 22% from 2019 to 2022. There were about 3,606 traffic deaths in 2019, compared to 4,407 in 2022.
Factors contributing to the increase in traffic deaths include speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, and inadequate enforcement of traffic laws. The 2024 California traffic laws aim to help improve traffic safety and reduce traffic deaths.
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