The California Highway Patrol is educating the public on traffic safety laws that were passed during this year’s legislative season and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.
The laws take effect Jan. 1, 2022, unless otherwise noted.
Sideshow Definition and Penalties (Assembly Bill (AB) 3, Fong): This new law strengthens penalties for those convicted of exhibition of speed if the violation occurred as part of a sideshow.
Beginning July 1, 2025, a court will be permitted to suspend a person’s driver’s license between 90 days and six months if the person is convicted of exhibition of speed and if the violation occurred as part of a “sideshow.” Section 23109(c) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) (exhibition of speed) will define sideshow as an event in which two or more persons block or impede traffic on a highway for the purpose of performing motor vehicle stunts, motor vehicle speed contests, motor vehicle exhibitions of speed, or reckless driving for spectators.
The courts will be required to consider a defendant’s medical, personal, or family hardship that requires a person to have a driver’s license before determining whether to suspend a person’s driver’s license.
Equestrian Safety Gear(AB 974, L. Rivas): Requires a person under the age of 18 to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet when riding an equestrian animal, such as a horse, mule, or donkey on a paved highway. This bill also requires all riders or their equines to wear reflective gear or a lamp when riding after sundown.
A person riding an equestrian animal in a parade or festival, or crossing a paved highway from an unpaved highway, is exempt from all helmet, lighting, or reflective gear requirements.
Tribal Emergency Vehicles(AB 798, Ramos): This bill provides that any vehicle owned or operated by a federally recognized Indian tribe is considered an authorized emergency vehicle as defined by Section 165 CVC when responding to an emergency, fire, ambulance, or lifesaving calls.
Class C Drivers Allowed to Tow Trailer (Senate Bill 287, Grove): Effective Jan. 1, 2027, drivers with a class C driver’s license may operate a vehicle towing a trailer between 10,001 pounds and 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, or gross vehicle weight with a fifth-wheel and kingpin or bed mounted gooseneck connection, provided that the trailer is used exclusively for recreational purposes for the transportation of property, living space, or both.
The driver will be required to pass a specialized written examination demonstrating the knowledge of the CVC and other safety aspects relating to the towing of recreational vehicles on the highway and possess an endorsement on their class C driver’s license.
Currently, this exemption is in place for drivers towing a fifth-wheel travel trailer provided the driver passes a specialized written exam and obtains a recreational trailer endorsement.
As a reminder, the following law took effect on July 1, 2021:
License Points for Distracted Driving (AB 47, Daly; 2019): Using a handheld cell phone while driving is currently punishable by a fine. As of July 1, 2021, violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record. This applies to the violations of talking or texting while driving (except for hands-free use) and to any use of these devices while driving by a person under 18 years of age.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
The California Highway Patrol received $2 million in federal funding that will expand its major crackdown on dangerous sideshows and street racing statewide, holding participants and organizers accountable for reckless driving behaviors.
As we head into the new year, the California Highway Patrol is educating the public on traffic safety laws that were passed during this year’s legislative season and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The laws take effect Jan. 1, 2023, unless otherwise noted.
SACRAMENTO - Excessive speed and aggressive driving are a major concern on California freeways.
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How about requiring a Bluetooth type of device for people driving all the time that way they’re not having to have their phones in their hands while driving and that way they are not having to have any thing distracting them by holding their phone in their hands while driving…
Distracted driving is distractive driving whether it’s a cell phone or 32 or three dogs hanging off the drivers window in the drivers lap. I think there should also be a penalty for not using available Bluetooth which most of these new cars have and people still insist on holding the phone in their in their hand.I live in Santa Maria California probably in every town in the United States but on a daily basis I see traffic moving 55+40 mile an hour zone in town they’re just not gonna be happy until they kill somebody I think the phones need to be doubled if not tripled up in town versus the freeway thank you for your time.
In a continued effort to combat the opioid crisis and save lives, Action Drug Rehab is launching a monthly Narcan giveaway, starting Sunday, April 6th from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m located at 22722 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA.
The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, Chaired by Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, held an informational hearing today, where multiple experts - including the Adjutant General of the California Military Department and the Deputy Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs - spoke with grave concern about the impact federal cuts have already had for veterans in California.
On Monday, March 24, 2025, a supervisor over the Scientific Services Bureau became aware of a notice from a DNA testing kit manufacturer indicating that a specific lot of kits were prone to intermittently poor performance with potential to cause incomplete results or profiles.
In a continued effort to combat the opioid crisis and save lives, Action Drug Rehab is launching a monthly Narcan giveaway, starting Sunday, April 6th from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m located at 22722 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger strongly supports Public Works’ recent request to FEMA for the inclusion of debris removal from commercial, residential, and non-residential properties impacted by the Eaton, Hurst, Palisades, and Sunset Fires. Barger issued the following statement today:
The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, Chaired by Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, held an informational hearing today, where multiple experts - including the Adjutant General of the California Military Department and the Deputy Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs - spoke with grave concern about the impact federal cuts have already had for veterans in California.
When two massive earthquakes (magnitudes 7.7 and 7.6) devastated southern and central Turkey in February 2023, they did more than destroy towns and villages — they brought communities together in unexpected solidarity.
The 41st Annual Teacher Tribute, "Academy of the Stars," will be held on Thursday, April 24, at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center on the campus of College of the Canyons.
If you’ve ever seen “Whose Line is it Anyway,” you’ll know what to expect when you come to see The Society perform their brand of hilarious and clean improv comedy live on stage at The MAIN in Old Town Newhall on Saturday, April 5, 8-10 p.m.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has announced that 336 elementary schools have been selected for the prestigious 2025 California Distinguished Schools Program. Ten schools in the Santa Clarita Valley were chosen for the honor.
The city of Santa Clarita is inviting artists to submit artwork for consideration for the upcoming “Childhood Memories” juried exhibition, which will be on view at the Newhall Community Center.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has released information about the housing of sexually violent predator Christopher Hubbart in housing in Pearblossom, in the Antelope Valley.
The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station is investigating incidents involving a suspect filming females inside the restrooms at College of the Canyons located on the college's Valencia campus.
College of the Canyons played to a 10-4 conference victory at Glendale College on Thursday, March 20 to snap a five-game skid, with Jeniece Jimenez and Avery Alvarez both blasting home runs in the decisive victory.
College of the Canyons men's golf won a second straight conference event, its fifth of the season, while seeing all six players finish in the top 15 of the field's individual standings during a productive day at Crystalaire Country Club on Monday, March 17.
The newly released Cal Fire 2025 Recommended Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps show the Santa Clarita Valley has increased in areas deemed to be Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
The Santa Clarita Valley Spring 2025 Job Fair will be held Friday, April 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at College of the Canyons. The event is free and open to the public.
The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit Council will host an in-depth discussion on best practices, proven strategies and real success stories in volunteer engagement and management on Wednesday, April 23, 9-10:30 a.m.
The California Department of Public Health has released its annual report on vaccination rates for California students. The 2023-2024 CDPH Kindergarten Immunization Assessment report shows that California immunization rates for kindergarten students remain higher than the national average.
The MAIN will host "Songs from the Saddle" during the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 13, a foot-stompin’, heartstring-pullin’ celebration of the West in song and verse.
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REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
3 Comments
How about requiring a Bluetooth type of device for people driving all the time that way they’re not having to have their phones in their hands while driving and that way they are not having to have any thing distracting them by holding their phone in their hands while driving…
Distracted driving is distractive driving whether it’s a cell phone or 32 or three dogs hanging off the drivers window in the drivers lap. I think there should also be a penalty for not using available Bluetooth which most of these new cars have and people still insist on holding the phone in their in their hand.I live in Santa Maria California probably in every town in the United States but on a daily basis I see traffic moving 55+40 mile an hour zone in town they’re just not gonna be happy until they kill somebody I think the phones need to be doubled if not tripled up in town versus the freeway thank you for your time.
How about stiffer penalties for not using directional signals. They seem to be optional for California drivers.