A new piece of legislation will, if approved, impact residents of California. Brand new changes to road policy legislation are often difficult to keep up with, thanks to the fact that these changes are constantly in flux. From changing speed limits, increasing penalties, vehicle recalls, automated camera technology, and even new legislation pertaining to autonomous vehicles, drivers need to remain vigilant and take on the responsibility to ensure that they remain constantly informed.
Keeping up with changing driving legislation
Staying updated on changes to driving legislation can be an extreme challenge due to the fact that these laws are constantly being updated, thanks to the changing nature of the roads. These changes are all intended to keep road users safe on the roads and to take all precautions possible to prevent and limit road accidents and fatalities. Many of these changes are generally regarding changing penalties associated with breaking certain driving laws, changing what is legal and what is not on the road, and implementing modern and advanced technology to assist police and other authorities on the road.
Changes to speeding policies and regulations are quite possibly the pieces of legislation that are subject to the most change. Speeding drivers are some of the biggest perpetrators of road accidents, with it being well researched that the speed at which you drive is directly proportional to an increase in both the risk that an accident occurs as well as the severity of the accident.
In order to stamp out speeding, many states have focused on increasing the penalties associated with doing so. While it is well known that if you are caught speeding, you will be issued a ticket, certain locations are now not only upping the speeding ticket penalty to be worth thousands of dollars (particularly if you are convicted of “excessively speeding”), but you may also face jail time as a consequence of doing so.
California may introduce this piece of legislation
Currently, California drivers are awaiting the outcome of the California Assembly Bill 289, which is, to date, sitting in the second chamber. The new proposed piece of legislation will see automated camera technology be deployed among 75 construction zones across the state in order to deter California drivers from speeding in these zones.
“This bill is about saving lives and it’s about valuing the workers who risk their lives to build California’s infrastructure,” said bill author and Assmebly member Matt Haney said during a news conference. “This isn’t just tragic, it’s preventable. And we have a responsibility to fix it and protect both workers and drivers.”
California speed limits on freeways are, to date, 65mph. According to the bill, if you are caught by the cameras driving between 65mph and 80mph, you will face a $50 fine. Going 100 mph or more in a work zone would carry a $500 penalty. Should the bill be passed, California would be the 17th state to implement this technology among work zones.
Other changes coming to road policies
On top of major changes to driving conduct in order to highlight the responsibility you have as a driver when behind the wheel, and for states to emphasise that they are taking a zero-tolerance policy to breaking these laws, other changes which are currently in the works across states include seeing a digital version of your driver’s license being rolled out.
Pennsylvania is the most recent state to propose new legislation to allow its residents to have a digital driver’s license added to their phone. States that already make use of this technology include Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia, Ohio, Hawaii, California, Iowa, New Mexico, Montana, New York (via “Mobile ID / MiD” app), and Louisiana (via LA Wallet). These digital driver’s licenses are not only intended to streamline screening processes but also inform part of a wider, advanced anti-fraud identification system that federal authorities are working towards.
