Several new laws take place in 2014

With the New Year just around the corner, the California Highway Patrol is reminding drivers that several new laws or changes to existing laws will go into effect in 2014.

CHP released this list of new laws, some take place with the turn of the new year, others will be in place later in 2014, or soon to follow.

Amber Alert Expansion: Law enforcement required to request activation of an Amber Alert after receiving a report of a child being taken or abducted by anyone, including a custodial parent or guardian, who may injure the child or cause death.
Bicycle Passing Distance: This law prohibits motorists from passing a
bicycle with less than three feet between any part of the vehicle and any part of the bicycle or driver. When three feet is not possible, the motor vehicle must slow to a reasonable and prudent speed and only pass when no danger is present to the bicyclist. Failing to do so can incur a fine, regardless of a collision or not. This law will go into effect September 16, 2014.
Emergency Exits for Charter Bus Carriers/Limousines: By January 1st, 2016, every limousine that has been modified or extended to accommodate additional passengers shall have two rear doors and one or two internally removable rear emergency windows. If such modifications occurred on or after July of 2015, these requirements apply immediately after July 1st, 2015. All new limousines manufactured after January 1st, 2015 must meet these requirements as well.
HOV Lanes: These laws extend sunset dates for low emission and zero emission vehicles to operate in high occupancy vehicle lanes without meeting occupancy requirements until January 1, 2019.
Hit and Run: This law extends the statute of limitations for hit-and-run collisions in which death or permanent, serious injury was a result. A criminal complaint may be filed within three years of the offense, or one year after the person was initially identified by law enforcement as a suspect in the commission of the offense, which ever comes later, but in no case more than six years after the offense.
Registration Fees: This law authorizes counties to increase registration fees by $1 for passenger vehicles and $2 for commercial vehicles to fund programs related to vehicle theft crimes in those counties.
Search Warrants/Chemical Tests: This amendment to current law authorizes the issuance of a search warrant to draw blood from a person in a reasonable, medically approved manner, to show that the person violated misdemeanor DUI provisions when that person has refused an officer’s request to submit to, or has failed to complete, a blood test. This law has been operative since September 20, 2013.
Teen Drivers: This law prohibits a person who is under 18 years of age from using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication while driving, even if it is equipped with a hands-free device.

For complete information on chaptered bills enacted in 2013, please visit the Legislative Counsel website.