New California Laws that will go into effect on 7/1/07, including increased Driving Fines
Police Departments are hurting for money and will step up efforts to enforce these changes in order to collect the fines.

1. Carpool lane – 1st time offense: $1068.50 starting 1/1/07 (NOT the
$271 as currently posted on highways – this is old). Don’t do it again because 2nd time is going to be double, 3rd time triple, and 4th time your license is suspended.

Fact: It is highly unlikely that a single code section violation would result in a $1068 fine for a first offense. Generally, a first offense violation + court costs and fees could run as high as $590 (depending on what jurisdiction the offender was cited). If the jurisdiction has HOV lanes with double white lines, then you could potentially be cited for crossing a double-white + driving in the car pool lane — two violations. In this case, the total bail amount (fine + court costs and fees) could approach $1000. But again, a lot of variables would have to come into play.

2. Incorrect lane change $380. Don’t cross lane on solid lanes or any intersection.
Fact: following is a list of vehicle code sections under which violators are typically cited and the concurrent fines:
21100.3 Failure to obey traffic directions $130
21460(a,b) Improper turns over double lines/solid lines to right prohibited $130
21655(b) Failure to use designated lanes $130
21655.5(b) Improper use of preferential lanes $340
21655.8(a) Driving over double lines of preferential lanes $340
21658(a,b) Lane straddling/failure to use specified lanes $130
22107 Unsafe turn or lane change prohibited $130
22108 Signal required before turning or changing lanes $130

3. Block intersection – $485

Don’t go through a GREEN light unless there is definitely space for you across the intersection. If it turns red and you get stuck within the intersection, even if it was green when you entered, you can be ticketed.

Fact: Following is a list of vehicle code sections under which violators are typically cited and the concurrent fines:
21970(a) Vehicle stopped unnecessarily and blocking crosswalk or sidewalk $130
23333 Vehicular crossing-unauthorized stopping or standing $130

4. Driving on the shoulder – $450
If you are exiting a road where traffic has slowed and backed up, don’t think you can cross the solid line to ride the shoulder for even ten feet to get to the exit lane. We all see people do this all the time. You can bank on there being stepped up enforcement efforts.

Fact: Following is a list of vehicle code sections under which violators are typically cited and the concurrent fines:
21100.3 Failure to obey traffic directions $130
21460(a,b) Improper turns over double lines/solid lines to right prohibited $130
21655(b) Failure to use designated lanes $130
21754 Improper passing on right prohibited $130
21755 Unsafe passing on right shoulder $130

5. Cell phone use must be “hands free” while driving. The fine is $285. Pull off the road or use hands free headphone/microphone or bluetooth. Police will be looking for this like crazy – easy money to increase their budgets. Double fine [$570] for cell phone use in a construction zone as of 07/01/07.

6. If passengers, over 18, do not have their seatbelts on, then both driver and passenger(s) get ticketed. Correct.

Fact:
23116(a) Transportation of persons without restraints restricted $130
(Note: total bail for first-time offenders for not wearing a seat belt in California ranges from $80 to $91).

7. Speeders can drive only 3 miles above the limit.
Fact: The California Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies can legally ticket drivers for going even 1 mile over a posted speed limit.

8. DUI = Jail.

법이 대폭 강화되는군요. 몇개는 벌써 시행되고있고 (2007.01.01) 몇개는 다음달인 7월1일부터 시행됩니다. 카풀 벌금이 엄청나게 오르는군요. 속도제한도 3마일 이상이면 잡고..(개인적으로 가장 지키기 어렵다는..) 운전중 핸드폰 자제하세요! 가장 경찰들이 노리는게 바로 이거라는군요. 너무 많은 사람이 지키지않으니말이죠. 비보호 좌회전도.. 앞차 따라가다가 intersection에 걸리면 벌금이 거의 500불돈 입니다.

모두 안전운전들 하세요^^

CA 벌금이 장난아니게 오르는군요. 다른주에서 살다 캘리에 갈때는 정말 숙지하고 가야겠습니다. 속도제한과 셀폰벌금…. 정말 엄청납니다.