Vehicle, Penal, and Other Codes
New Laws for California Drivers
Vehicle, Penal, and Other Codes
California Law is encompassed in 29 codes altogether, all of which can be researched by clicking California Codes. Covina Police Department officers most commonly enforce Penal, Vehicle, and Health and Safety Code violations, as well as Covina Municipal Codes.
Child Safety Seat Distribution Programs in Los Angeles County
Changes in the law increased protection of children in California. As of January 1, 2012, all children under age 8 are required to ride in a safety seat or booster in the back seat. All children under age 16 are required to ride properly buckled up in safety belt, booster or safety seat. Most children need a booster to fit properly in a safety belt until they are 10 to 12 years old. Parents and other drivers may be cited for failing to transport a child properly (the parent gets the ticket if the driver is not in the car). The fine may be reduced or waived only if the defendant shows proof of economic disadvantage to the court. If the fine is waived or reduced, the court must refer the defendant to a violator program. At least 60% of the base fine is allocated to the local city or county health department for safety seat education and distribution programs. For more information about the law go to www.carseat.org.
Child Passenger Restraints
California Vehicle Code (CVC) 27315 has amended the definition of “properly restained by a safety best” as:
* Lower lap portion of the belt as crossing the hips or upper thighs
* Upper shoulder portion of the best, if present, as crossing the chest
* In limousines, taxicabs, and emergency veicles, passengers 8 or older in the front seat must be properly restrained by a
safety belt
CVC 27360 and 27360.5 were amended to change the minimum age from 6 to 8 years of age
CVC 27361 deleted the reference to the weight of a child.
CVC 27363 mandates the following:
- A child under 8 who is 4’9″ or taller, amy be properly restrained by a safey belt, rather than a Child Passenger Restraint System
- Children younger and smaller than described above may ride in the front seat when:
- There is no rear seat
- The rear seats are side-facing jump seats
- The rear seats are rear-facing
- The Child Passenger Restraint System cannot be installed properly in the rear seat
- All rear seats are already occupied by children 7 years of age or less
- Medical reasons require the front seat
CVC 27360.6 mandates the following fines:
First offense – $100
Second or subsequent offense – $250
Special provisions for the economically disadvantaged
Electric Vehicles
CVC 22511: Requires the EV to be plugged in for refueling when occupying an EV-designated parking space. This section also authorizes the removal of an EV from an off-street parking facility if the EV is not plugged in for refueling.