WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – The rules of the road are changing once again and AAA Northern California wants drivers to be aware of several new laws that will affect them in 2011.

Some of the new regulations are aimed at clarifying the vehicle code, protecting motorists’ privacy, ensuring better motorcycle rider safety, and providing public information about hybrid and electric vehicles.

 

“As a driver, you want to be aware of the new rules of the road, and AAA hopes to alert people to the latest changes,” said Matt Skryja, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “AAA actively works to promote safe and responsible transportation, and we supported many of these new laws.”

 

New laws for 2011

 

Vehicle code violations

AAA strongly supported SB 949, authored by Sen. Jenny Oropeza (D-Long Beach). This clarifying law will stop a growing practice by local jurisdictions that choose to ignore the state laws governing traffic violations, known as the Vehicle Code, and instead cite drivers for traffic violations under vague local ordinances with varying penalties.

Among the many reasons AAA supported this bill is that it will help protect safe drivers from the unsafe ones, since local ordinance citations do not ever have to be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

With violations unreported, the DMV cannot keep track of the drivers who incurred them and take intervening action when necessary. This law ensures that California has statewide uniform traffic laws, uniform enforcement of those laws and uniform penalties for violations.

Effective July 1, 2011.

 

Privacy for electronic toll collection

Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) authored SB 1268, which AAA supported.

This new law prohibits local transportation agencies, such as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in the Bay Area, from selling or disseminating personal information of subscribers to electronic toll collection systems such as FASTRAK.

AAA supported this bill because, as with other technology that collects data and information from users, individuals may be reluctant to use them for fear their personal information will be used inappropriately or for unintended purposes. AAA hopes the law will help alleviate those concerns and increase usage of FASTRAK or other electronic toll collection systems.

Effective Jan. 1, 2011.

 

Motorcycle law

AB 1952 closes a loophole that allowed a person with a valid motorcycle driver’s instruction permit to operate that motorcycle prior to taking and passing an on-bike training skills safety course.

Motorcycle drivers under 21 must now complete a 15-hour safety training course before receiving a learner’s permit, and they’re required to have that permit a full six months before applying for a license.

AAA supported Assemblyman Roger Niello’s (R-Sacramento) bill as a common-sense safety measure.

Effective Jan. 1, 2011.

 

New Web site for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles (SB 1455- Kehoe)

The Energy Commission, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission, will develop a Web site to provide consumers with information about charging plug-in hybrid or fully electric vehicles thanks to SB 1455, authored by Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego).

With nearly every auto manufacturer developing plug-in and/or electric vehicles, AAA believes this website (operational by July 1, 2011) will help consumers find answers to questions about whether his/her residence will require a utility service upgrade, basic charging requirements, utility rate options, load management techniques, and more.

Effective January 1, 2011.

 

Towing fees and access notice

Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Santa Ana) authored AB 519, which requires towing companies to give consumers a towing fees and access notice and an itemized invoice of all towing and storage fees.

AAA supported this bill as a way to clean up inferior operators in the industry and to help consumers and insurers predict towing, storage and related billing.

Effective Jan. 1, 2011.