New Year Brings New Road Rules

With the new year come new traffic laws, the Auto Club of  Northern California reminds drivers.

Some of the changes will hurt wallets, such as the increase in fees for moving violations in 2011 and tougher penalties for drunk drivers.

Here is how recently passed legislation is going to change the rules of the road:

Carpool Lanes

SB 535 allows hybrid vehicle drivers to continue using carpool lanes, even if they are traveling alone. All they need is a clean air vehicle sticker issued by the state Department of Motor Vehicles, according to the Auto Club.

In addition, SB 1455  will allow the Energy Commission to develop a website to provide information about charging plug-in hybrid and electric cars.

Local Citations No Longer

SB 949 requires all moving violations to be cited under state vehicle codes and not local regulations. This change attempts to ensure that all drivers throughout California will face the same penalties when ticketed, according to the Auto Club, which supported this measure.

Tickets Go Up 

The price of moving-violation tickets across the state increases by $4 under AB 2173. "Money collected from the penalty [increase] would go to support air ambulance services, which are the most critical services that support patients who are injured as a result of a major collision," the measure reads. The law will remain in effect until 2016.

DUI Penalty

AB 1601 allows judges to take away the driver's license of anyone cited three or more times for drunk driving within a decade, beginning January 2012, according to the Auto Club. Drivers facing such a conviction now lose their license for only two to five years.

Smog Check

AB 2289 requires that vehicles made in 2000 or later be tested for smog compliance using that vehicle's diagnostic systems instead of the current tailpipe sensors program, according to the Auto Club, in hopes of reducing the cost of smog checks. These tests will commence in 2013.

Street Sweep Cameras

If you park on a road during street sweeping hours, there soon will be visual proof of the violation. AB 2567 allows local agencies to place cameras on agency-owned or -operated street sweeping machines to digitally photograph cars illegally parked in the sweeping lanes, according to the Auto Club.

Motorcycle Law

 AB 1952 will require motorcycle drivers younger than 21 to complete a 15-hour safety training course to get a learner's permit. They must have that permit for six months before obtaining a permit.

Towing Fees

Under AB 519, towing companies must provide consumers with itemized invoices for all towing and storage fees.

Electronic Toll Collection

SB 1268 will prohibit local transportation agencies from selling personal information of electronic toll system subscribers, such as FASTRAK.

Marnette Federis contributed to this report.