New California Laws for 2017: Truly Hands-Free Driving, Carseat Changes, Lane-Splitting and More

As we head into the New Year, it's time to again take note of the new laws that will go into effect in California on Jan. 1. With help from the California Highway Patrol, Patch is breaking down some important new traffic safety changes for 2017, coming in the form of new laws or changes to current law.

A new law that may have dramatic impacts for many is a change in the way we do hands-free in California. AB1785 mandates that drivers have their wireless electronic devices — namely smartphones — mounted in their vehicles while in use. This means no more driving with your phone in hand and speakerphone activated to "pass" the hands-free test.

"This bill targets the deadliest cause of distracted driving related crashes, the use of an electronic device while driving," Assemblymember Bill Quirk, the author of AB 1785, said of his bill. "The accidents, injuries and deaths associated with this form of distracted driving are completely preventable...This bill will save lives."

The local law that's received among the most publicity headed into 2017 is a major change to the way children must be strapped into their car seats. Until now, parents could let their children sit forward-facing in their safety seats at the age of 1, but come Jan. 1, they must remain rear-facing.

"As part of the continued mission of saving lives, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is seeking to educate the public on some of the new rules of the road taking effect at the beginning of next month," the agency stated in a press release.

• SEE ALSO: California is the Worst State in the Nation for Driving, New Study Finds

Here are seven new laws that will affect the way people drive in California: (Information provided by the California Highway Patrol)

Child safety seats (AB 53, Garcia)
Although this law was passed during the 2015 legislative session, it takes effect January 1, 2017. Children under two years of age must ride rear-facing in an appropriate child passenger safety seat. Children weighing 40 or more pounds, or standing 40 or more inches tall, are exempt. California law continues to require that all children under the age of eight be properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat in the back seat of a vehicle.

Vehicles: Use of Wireless Electronic Devices (AB 1785, Quirk)
Motorists are no longer permitted to hold a wireless telephone or electronic wireless communications device while driving a motor vehicle. Rather than holding the device, it must be mounted in the 7-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver or in a 5-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest to the driver. Another option is to affix the device to the dashboard in a place that does not obstruct the driver’s clear view of the road and does not interfere with the deployment of an airbag.

The law does allow a driver to operate one of these devices with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the finger, but not while holding it.

Driving under the influence: Ignition Interlock Device (SB 1046, Hill)
This law requires a driving under the influence (DUI) offender to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on their vehicle for a specified period of time in order to get a restricted driver license or to reinstate their license. The law also removes the required suspension time before a person can get a restricted license, provided that the offender installs an IID on their vehicle. The law extends the current four-county (Sacramento, Los Angeles, Alameda, Tulare) DUI IID pilot program until January 1, 2019, at which time all DUI offenders statewide will be required to install an IID to have their license reinstated.

Vehicle Motorcycles: Lane Splitting (AB 51, Quirk)
Current law does not change; lane splitting by a motorcyclist remains legal if done safely. This bill defines lane splitting as driving a motorcycle, which has two wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane. The bill permits the CHP to develop lane splitting educational safety guidelines in consultation with other state traffic safety agencies and at least one organization focused on motorcycle safety.

School Bus Safety : Child Alert System (SB 1072, Mendoza)
This law requires all school buses, school pupil activity buses, youth buses, and child care motor vehicles used to transport school-age children to be equipped with a “child safety alert system.” Every school is required to have a transportation safety plan with procedures to ensure that a pupil is not left unattended in a vehicle.

Charter Bus Safety Improvements (SB 247, Lara)
All buses manufactured afterJuly 1, 2020, will be required to have emergency lighting fixtures that will turn on in the event of an impact or collision. The law also requires a bus company to ensure the driver of the charter bus provides oral and written, or video instructions to all passengers on safety equipment and emergency exits on the bus prior to any trip.

Tour Buses: Safety Inspections (AB 1677, Ting)
This new law requires the CHPto develop protocols for entering into a memorandum of understanding with local governments to increase the number of inspections for tour buses operated within their jurisdiction.

For complete information on bills enacted in 2016, please refer to the Legislative Counsel Web site at http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/.