Little Known Driving Rules of California

In earlier posts, I covered the driving laws of UK and New York. Lets move on to California now. Obviously common driving rules and laws are known to all and we have also covered a few (of other states & countries) in earlier posts. Now lets have a quick glance over the less common driving rules of California. Here are few little known driving laws of California stated under Driving and Traffic Laws.

Turning Upon a Highway

Section 22100.5 or 22101 of Driving Laws has clearly defined the rules of 'turning upon a highway'.

Section (a) states that while taking a right turn, upon a highway with 3 marked lanes, the driver should take a right turn into any lane lawfully available to traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being entered. For more details on Driving Laws, read traffic laws.

Traffic Laws Regarding Signals -

One Should Give a Signal When Stopping – Section 22109 states that no person should suddenly reduce the speed of vehicle or stop while driving without giving an appropriate indication.

Hand Signals While Driving – Any kind of signal given by hand should always be given from the left side of the vehicle. Few hand signals are as follows:

For a Left turn – The driver should extend his hand and arm horizontally beyond the side of vehicle.

For a Right Turn – Driver's hand and arm should be extended upward beyond the side of vehicle.

Hand Signal While Stopping – It is a driving rule in California to indicate stopping of vehicle with hand & arm extended beyond the side of vehicle. that means if you are using your automotive braking system suddenly, you need tto give a clear indication to others on road.

Sudden Decrease of Speed – Even for sudden decrease of speed of a vehicle, the driver should give the signal with his hand & arm extended downward beyond the side of vehicle.

Slowdown While Driving Near Schools or Senior Centers

Section 22358.4. (a) (1) states that it is a one should slow down her/ his vehicle near a school or a senior center. The rule states that one should drive at a speed limit of 15 miles per hour near specified areas. So, just get your brake pads checked before you are trying to drive down near a school or senior center.

Talking about Road laws or Driving laws, there are also some duties specified for those driving on road.

Stop at A Scene of Accident – Californian government has defined under section 20001 (a) that it is a driver's duty to stop at the scene of accident if he is involved in an accident causing injuries to someone. Incase of accidents, one should stop and then fulfill the requirements of Sections 20003 and 20004.

Violation of Law If One Flees the Scene of Crime – It s a violation of Section 191.5, if someone flees the scene and will be subject to be punished by an additional term of imprisonment of five years in state prison.

New York Driving Laws You Ought To Know

Driving on roads in New York is easy. All you need to know is few driving laws. You have been following them till now. But there are some driving laws that residents of New York are not aware of. Here is a snapshot of the common driving rules of New York city. Follow them to avoid landing yourself in any trouble.

Operating A Motor Vehicle Under The Effect of Alcohol or Drug – Article 31 of Vehicle and Traffic Law of New York state that it is against law to drive any motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drug. The common driving law worldwide – Do not Drink & Drive.

Driving Without a License – One must not drive a motor vehicle upon public highway, sidewalk or any other public place without a driving license. Under, section 509 of article 19, one should be duly licensed while driving any vehicle at such places.

Driving Without Registration/ With Expired Registration – The New York government considers its a crime to operate any automobile on public highways of New York without vehicle registration. As per section 401 of Article 14, it is important to drive only a registered vehicle.

Reckless Driving - Vehicle and Traffic Law of New York states under section 1212 of article 33 that reckless driving is an offence. Its violation of traffic rule to drive a motor vehicle in a reckless manner. If someone drives in an unreasonable manner on a public roadway or highway endangering other highway user, the person will be have to pay penalty or might serve imprisonment.

Seat Belt/ Child Restraint Violations – Section 1229 C says that violation of operation of vehicles with safety seats and safety belts is a law and anyone not abiding by this provision is subject to be guilty of a misdemeanor. This driving law means all the back seat passengers who are under the 4 years of age should be restrained in a specially designed baby car seat that is permanently affixed or is affixed to such vehicle with a safety belt.

Disobeying of Traffic Signals/ Red Light/ Stop Sign – If one does not follow traffic signs or traffic rules or jumps red light, then it is an offence under article 24.

Driving On Right Side of Roadway or Overtaking – One should never drive on the right side of roadway or try to overtake another vehicle. Article 24 also considers these acts violation of traffic laws.

No Driving on Sidewalks – It is an offence (under1225) to drive any motor vehicle on or across the sidewalks. Exception to this vehicle is that one can drive at a reasonable speed that is not more than 5 miles/ hour without disturbing the safety and passage of pedestrians.

Cling to Other Vehicle – Stated under 1253, a motorbike rider should not cling to any other vehicles on a roadway.

Operating Motorcycles on Roadways Laned for Traffic – Full use of lane is entitled to all the motorcycles till the time there is no disturbance to other motorcycles on the road. Under section 1252, no motorbike should be driven in a manner to deprive other motorcycle of the full use of a lane.

These were some of the driving laws of New York. Stay tuned for driving rules or motoring laws of other states, countries in the next post. Till, then Happy Driving!!

Must Read – UK Driving Laws

All of us are aware of the common driving laws worldwide, but do not know all the common driving laws of our own regions. Very often, because of this, we land ourselves in trouble. So, friends, just for those you love driving, here is a brush upon on some driving laws and the penalty that is charged if we disobey these government laws. In the upcoming posts, we will cover the motoring laws of varied regions. Lets start with United Kingdom.

A Sneak Peak At the Common Driving Laws of UK

Law Number 1 - Drunken Driving – It has to be the most common driving law of any region. In UK, this driving law is stated under section 4(1) of Road Traffic Act 1988. According to this law, it is an offence to drive or even attempt to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle if the person is drunk or is under the affect of drugs.

Penalty – If you disobey this rule, you might have to pay a fine maximum of £5000 or imprisonment upto 6 months or might be disqualified for 1 year and endorsement unless "special reasons" exist. In case, you face this offence twice within 10 years, you might be disqualified for a minimum of three years unless "special reasons exist"

Law Number 2 - Drunk While You Are In Charge of a Vehicle – Under section 4(2) (as amended) of The Road Traffic Act 1988, it is considered an offence if you are drunk and are in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle on road.

Penalty - Be ready to pay a fine upto £2500 or face imprisonment up to 3 months.

Law Number 3 – Intake of Alcohol Exceeding The Prescribed Limit – Try not to indulge in drink driving and specially do not drink excessively and drive. You might be caught under section 5 (1) of The Road Traffic Act 1988. According to this law, it is an offence to drive a motor vehicle on a road with alcohol over the prescribed limit.

Penalty – Its gonna cost you a lot. You might have to pay a fine up to £5000 or face upto 6 months of imprisonment. This offence can result in a minimum of 1 year disqualification unless "special reasons" exist. A re-test can be taken and the licence must be endorsed with points (3-11). Incase of a second similar offence within ten years duration, be ready to expect a ban of minimum 3 years.

Law Number 4 – Refusal to Give Specimen of Blood/ Urine/ Breath to Police - I suggest never do this ever. The moral reason is that, incase you have made an offence, your refusal will moreover guarantee the offence and you might also trigger the anger of policemen. Well besides, the moral reason, the legal reason is that it is an offence under section 7(6) of The Road Traffic Act to refuse provide a specimen for analysis if you fail to give a reasonable excuse.

Penalty – If one tries to drive, then the penalty will be maximum fine of £5000 or imprisonment upto 6 months. You might face a ban of minimum 1 year unless "special reasons" exist. If a re-test is ordered & its a second offence with 10 years period, then in that case you are subject to a disqualification of 3 years.

Law Number 5 – Disqualified Yet Driving – Under the section 103 of The Road Traffic Act, it is against law to drive on a road if you are disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence.

Penalty – Fine that you might face is a maximum of £5000 or an imprisonment of 6 months. You might be subject to disqualification for any period or until a re-test is passed.

Law Number 6 – Refusal for Breathalyser – It is clearly defined in the Road Traffic Act 1988, section 6(4) that failure in providing a reasonable excuse, to provide a specimen of breath for a breath test is an offence. If you refuse to give your breath specimen when required to do so by a policeman in uniform.

Penalty – You are likely to pay a fine of £1000, 4 points & discretionary disqualification.

Law Number 7 – Careless Driving – The second most common driving offence worldwide. Against this offence, the driving law says under section 3 of The Road Traffic Act 1988 that its an offence to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or public place without due care and attention . Careless driving can include anything from loosing control on your braking system to hitting other vehicle on road.

Penalty - The maximum fine you might anticipate is £2500 and 3-9 points. You may be subject to be disqualified until re-test passed.

These were 7 major driving laws of United Kingdom. Stay tuned for more such laws of other regions, the next could be your country. Till, then drive carefully and do not break any driving law. Happy Driving.