With the beginning of 2016, California enacted new laws affecting the day-to-day operations of California residents. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) are reminding everyone that several of these laws will directly affect transportation. SB 491 (Earbuds & Headsets) is one notable law that makes it illegal to wear a headset covering, earplugs in, or earphones covering, resting on, or inserted in, both ears, while operating a motor vehicle or a bicycle. (This law does not apply to persons operating authorized emergency vehicles, construction equipment and refuse or waste equipment while wearing a headset or safety earplugs.) Continue reading
Tag Archives: California drivers
Autonomous Driving In California
The relationship between vehicles and drivers’ are changing as automobile manufacturers work to develop autonomous driving technology. Research and testing have created new possibilities that could improve highway safety, be less harmful to the environment, offer better mobility, and create new economic opportunities. Continue reading
Self Driving Automobiles And Roadway Safety
Automobile manufacturers around the world are at a historic turning point for automotive travel. Engineers predict that affordable innovative technology will change the motor vehicle and driver relationships, improving highway safety, increasing environmental benefits, expanding mobility , and creating new economic opportunities for jobs and investment. One of the most controversial technologies being debated is the use of autonomous vehicles. Continue reading
California Says Hands Free Even At A Stop Sign
According to a court ruling on Monday, drivers in California who use their non hands free cellphones while stopped at a red light or in a traffic jam will be ticketed if caught. This ruling comes after Richmond driver, Carl Nelson, received a ticket from an officer who saw him using his phone at a stop light in December of 2009. He argued he was not driving because the car was stopped while he made the call. Nelson referred to a 1991 Supreme Court ruling that said the term “drive” requires proof of “volitional movements”. In this case, a man suspected of drunk driving, was found asleep behind his running vehicle while parked on a residential street. Court threw out the case saying that there was no “volitional movement.”
In a 3-0 ruling, judges said that even though Nelson was paused at the time, he was driving on the road in the midst of other moving traffic, and distractions in this situation could create hazards to other drivers on the road. Nelson’s attorney said he plans to appeal to the state’s high court.
Carpool Lane Traffic Increases Congestion
On July 1, 2011 the state of California decided to revoked carpool privileges for hybrid and electric vehicles. They were hoping to decrease traffic congestion in these High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes as the amount of hybrid and electric vehicles on the roads increased. According to a study done by researchers at UC Berkeley Institute of Transportation, the additional vehicles in the regular traffic lanes has slowed all traffic substantially.
Using traffic flow theories and six months of data from roadway sensors measuring speed and congestion along all freeway carpool lanes in the San Francisco Bay Area, researchers found that the slower traffic in the regular lanes made it more difficult for the carpool drivers to migrate in and out of the HOV lanes. The result was an increase of traffic congestion in all lanes. The study suggests that the state should reconsider their decision, and allow the hybrid and electric vehicles back in the carpool lanes.
Carmageddon Urgeds LA Residents To Stay Home
The 405 freeway will be closed this weekend for about 53 hours as highway crews demolish the Mulholland Drive bridge. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villarigosa, urges residents to “stay home” as the work threatens to impede traffic near the Interstate, making some roads almost impassible. Motorists intent on commuting will see 61 buses added to the city’s transit system, and the subway systems will be prepared for higher ridership traffic. Other services offered include nonstop flights, offered by JetBlue, from Long Beach Airport to Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, promoted as the “Fly Over the 405 promotion”, and Briles Wing and Helicopter Inc, will have charter flight services offering trips from Van Nuys Airport to either Los Angeles International or Santa Monica airports. For people or groups planning unauthorized runs of the closed freeway, the Los Angeles Police Department will be on hand to intercept this traffic. The closure, labeled as ‘Carmageddon’, hopes to lessen Los Angeles traffic in a $1.03 billion freeway widening project that will accommodate new carpool lanes by building a bigger bridge 200 feet to the south of the Mullholland bridge.
Los Angeles Gridlock About To Get Worse
In Los Angeles, the intersection of Interstate 405 and Sunset Boulevard is well known for its traffic delays and has just gotten worse with the recent $1.3 billion highway reconstruction project. The project, which is expected to take about three years, will bombard local residents with closed exit ramps, shut and narrow lanes, noisy night time construction and detours that will send traffic through residential neighborhoods.
People in Los Angeles often complain about traffic, but this construction project has an unusually broad reach. Not only does it make it almost impossible for commuters to get where they are going, it will also hurt any local businesses in the area as well as make it dangerous in residential neighborhoods due to the increased traffic.
This project is intended to complete a nonstop car-pool lane on the 405 from the 10 on the south side of Santa Monica to the 101 in the Valley. “If we didn’t do this, it would continue to be a nightmare,” said Michael Barbour, who is directing the project for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. “I think that message has gotten across to the locals. They understand it. They are sucking it up over the next three years.” But the car pool lane is seen by some as taking a lane of traffic away from all commuters, since it is rare to find people in Los Angeles who are on the same schedules.
Summertime Driving Safety
The summer holidays are just about here and everyone is looking forward to vacations and summertime activities. Unfortunately this also means an increase in accidents and injuries. Inexperienced teen drivers will be spending more time on the roads, children out of school will be spending more time outdoors, there will be an increase in RV’s, bikes, and motorcycles on the roads, and in general, a greater hub of activity everywhere.
- Safe driving practices are the best way to deal with increased traffic. Try to stay calm, drive at a safe speed and be courteous to other drivers. Speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic and not yielding the right-of-way can lead to collisions.
- Make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up, and babies and young children are in car seats or booster seats. Proper use of seat belts and child car seats is the best way to reduce vehicle-related injuries and fatalities.
- Summer also brings increased construction on roads and highways. Keep road workers safe by being prepared to stop and slow down in construction zones. Keep your gas tank full, in case you need to change your route or are caught in traffic along the way.
- People driving RV’s and trailers are usually inexperienced with such a large load. Take extra precaution while driving these vehicles, and give them the room they need to maneuver. Don’t let items block your view of the road, make sure loads are securely tied down, and slow down.
- Make sure your vehicle is in good running condition before your go. Always keep a roadside emergency kit and a first aid kit for emergencies.
- Plan your route before you go. If you don’t have someone to read the map or GPS for you, pull over if you need to review your route. Distractions behind the wheel greatly increased your chance of an accident.
- Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going and if you become tired, stop to rest and stretch your legs. It’s better to arrive late than not arriving at all.
- Finally, Don’t Drink And Drive!
