The California Highway Patrol (CHP) recently issued a press release about the new traffic safety laws going into effect this year. They want to make sure California motorists are aware of all the new changes being implemented. These laws involve issues related to citizenship for peace officer employment, catalytic converters, vehicular manslaughter, speed exhibitions and other traffic topics listed below. Unless otherwise noted, these laws started taking effect on January 1, 2023.  

Public Employment Citizenship Status of Peace Officers (SB 960) 

This law maintains that peace officers be legally authorized to work in the U.S. but removes the requirement that they be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.  

Catalytic Converters (SB 1087) 

These laws list who can sell catalytic converters to recyclers and require recyclers to keep documentation on where they came from. This is to help reduce catalytic converter theft.  

Vehicular Manslaughter: Speeding and Reckless Driving (SB 1472) 

This law expands criteria for “gross negligence” as it relates to vehicular manslaughter. Drivers involved in sideshows or speeding over 100 miles power hour that results in a fatality can be charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.   

Motor Vehicle Speed Contests and Exhibitions of Speed (AB 2000) 

Parking lots and off-street parking facilities are now included as locations where it is a crime to engage in a speed contest, exhibition of speed or sideshow activity.  

Endangered Missing Advisory: Feather Alert (AB 1314) 

The new “Feather Alert” allows law enforcement to request the CHP initiate an alert when an indigenous person has been kidnaped, abducted or reported missing.  

Hit-and-Run Incidents: Yellow Alert (AB 1732) 

This law allows law enforcement to request the CHP to activate a “Yellow Alert” when a fatal hit-and-run crash has occurred.  

Online Marketplaces: Reporting (1700)  

This law requires the Attorney General’s Office to create an online reporting system for users of third-party online marketplaces to report listings of suspected stolen items.  

Bicycles Omnibus Bill (AB 1909) 

This law provides increased protections to cyclists by requiring vehicles to give them more room when passing. Also, Class 3 e-bike riders will be able to use approved bicycle paths, trails, bike lanes and bikeways.  

Electric Bicycles: Safety and Training Program (AB 1946) 

This requires the California Office of Traffic Safety to develop a statewide safety and training program for electric bicycles. It will launch on the CHP’s website in September of 2023.  

Pedestrians (AB 2147) 

This law prohibits peace officers from stopping pedestrians for certain pedestrian-specific violations unless there is an immediate danger of a crash.  

The team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. wishes everybody a Happy and Safe New Year, and if you have been injured in a car accident caused by a dangerous or distracted driver in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California, contact our office at 1.800.GO.HARRIS for a free case consultation.