Southern California Car Accident Lawyer Blog

California Motor Vehicle Code 21702 makes it illegal to drive your big rig or commercial bus if you have not gotten an adequate amount of sleep.

The National Transportation Safety Board recently recommended the installation of electronic record keeping devices in all trucks to regulate rest periods. Currently, truckers are required to keep logs of drive and sleep time. The logs most often are hand written and can easily be misleading. Enforcement of California Vehicle Code 21702 is mostly based on the honor system, but installation of electronic recording devices would change this. If the NTSB can convince trucking companies to use electronic devices, the roads would be much safer for us all.

Continue reading "Tired Truckers are Dangerous Truckers" »

California Motor Vehicle Code 21701 makes it a crime to tamper with the driving mechanism of a car or cause the driver to lose control due to horseplay or distraction.

Teen drivers are the most common drivers cited under this law. Often they get into vehicles together and forget that one of them needs to focus on the road. Many states have enacted laws that restrict the number of teen drivers that can be alone in a car together. This is for the safety of the teens and other drivers on the roads. In California, any teenage driver who has had their license for less than a year may not have other teenage passengers in the car unless an adult is also present in the car. Since this law was enacted, the California Highway Patrol estimates that nearly 700 teenage lives have been saved.

Continue reading "Distracted Driving is Dangerous and Illegal" »

California Motor Vehicle Code 21663 prohibits cars and trucks from driving on sidewalks. Obviously, you are allowed to cross over a sidewalk to get out of your driveway or enter a parking lot. However, you are not allowed to drive on sidewalks at any other time unless you have been given express permission.

Express permission is when a local authority has personally told you that it is ok for you to drive on the sidewalk. Usually the media, utility workers, and emergency vehicles are the only ones given express permission to drive on sidewalks.

Continue reading "Most Vehicles Are Not Permitted to Drive on Sidewalks: Why Are Some?" »

California vehicle code 21661 states that the person driving downhill must give the right of way to the person driving uphill. If necessary, the person driving downhill must pull off the roadway or backup to allow enough room for the ascending car to safely pass.

Old country roads are narrow and windy and are often designed to allow just enough room for one car to have safe passage. These roads are not going to be widened any time in the near future, so drivers who use them must know the proper ways to yield to other drivers. Being courteous to other drivers and knowing the laws on rural roads will keep everyone safe and help you avoid costly fines.

Continue reading "Narrow Roads Have Special Rules for Passing: Yield to the Ascending Vehicle" »

California vehicle code 21660 states that all cars must use only the right half of the roadway when another car or truck is approaching.

Many vehicles in rural areas are too large to keep to one-half the roadway. Big trucks and farm equipment typically take most of the roadway. When approaching a larger vehicle, it is vitally important that you remain on your side of the road. If you cross left of center, and there is an accident, you could be liable to pay for damages. You should always give the oncoming car as much room as possible to pass you safely without placing yourself in danger.

Continue reading "Allow Enough Room on the Road for Approaching Vehicles to Pass" »

California city streets are extremely busy places. Drivers tend to be in a rush and often forget to look for oncoming cyclists, pedestrians, and slower moving vehicles before turning or crossing intersections. California Vehicle Code 21654 makes it a requirement for slower moving vehicles to stay as close to the right side of the road as possible to avoid collisions with faster moving vehicles. By understanding the rules of the road, and watching for potential dangers, you can decrease the possibility of being involved in an accident with other cars.

Continue reading "Follow the Rules: Staying Safe around Slow Moving Vehicles" »

It’s almost here. Starting July 1, drivers distracted by cell phones will be slapped with tickets that could cost them up to $200 if you add court costs and penalties. But money aside, these new laws will help weed out distracted drivers, who are either talking on the phone without a hands-free device or using the phone in a way it that affects their driving.

There are two laws that will go into effect July 1. The first prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers 18 and older may use a hands-free device. Drivers under the age of 18 may not use a wireless telephone or hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle.

There is no question that these new laws will help remove some of the dangers caused by distracted drivers on our roadways. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 20 to 30 percent of auto accidents -- about 1.8 million -- in the United States are caused by driver distraction. These accidents result in 8,400 to 12,600 deaths, close to 1 million injuries and $40 billion in damages.

Continue reading "New California Cell Phone Driving Laws To Take Effect July 1st" »