(Newswire.net — December 28, 2015) — New Laws set to be enacted January 1st affect DUIs, Hoverboards, and Uber. The New Year means new laws. Come January 1, 2016 there will be several new laws going in effect in California.
Driving Under the Influence (SB 61, Hill): This law will extend the current Ignition Interlock Device (IID) pilot program that requires anyone convicted of a DUI to install an IID that will test the driver’s breath for alcohol before allowing the car to start. A first offense will result having the IID installed for five months, 12 months for a second offense, 24 months for a third offense and 36 months for a fourth or subsequent offense. Affected counties include Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Tulare.
Electrically Motorized Skateboards (AB 604, Olsen): This law not only defines what an “electrically motorized board” is but also lists related restrictions and requirements. It is targeted at the recent surge of self-balancing scooters or “hoverboards”. While some cities like New York have moved to ban these scooters from the streets, California is opting to regulate them to bike lanes and is adding safety requirements for the rider to follow. Unfortunately, for all the children that are receiving a scooter this holiday season, they will need to confine their fun to the home as you will need to be 16 years or older to operate a hoverboard out in public. Additionally, the new law requires operators to wear a bicycle helmet, wear safety equipment to increase visibility at night and limits their operation to roads with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less.
Transportation Network Companies (AB 1422, Cooper): This new law requires a transportation network company (TNC) to participate in the DMV’s Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program. TNCs are defined as a company that uses an online-enabled platform to connect passengers with drivers using their personal, non-commercial, vehicles. Notable examples here would be Lyft, Curb, and Uber. The program will provide each TNC with a report showing a driver’s current public record, as recorded by the department and immediate notifications of moving violations, accidents, driver license suspensions, revocations and other actions taken against the driving privilege. This is an extension of the information that the DMV’s currently provides employers and agencies through their EPN program.
For complete list and information on chaptered bills enacted in 2015, please visit the California Legislative Counsel website http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/
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Chester & Lewkowicz is a Criminal Defense Law Firm dedicated to zealously defending clients on all misdemeanor and felony offenses. Attorneys Ira Chester and Melissa Lewkowicz believe in an aggressive, proactive approach in handling criminal cases. The firm represent clients facing charges in all State Courts within California. The head office is located in Los Angeles, California, minutes from the 10 Freeway.
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