Just before the New Year, the Law Office of Barry T. Simons wants to provide everyone with a few new law changes that go into effect in 2009.  Some have been addressed in previous posts, but they are now being provided in a summary fashion for quick referencing:

1.     No-Text Law—Texting While Driving (Senate Bill 65)

This new law makes it an infraction to write, send, or read text based communications on an electronic wireless communication device, including emails, while driving a motor vehicle. 

Previously this was only illegal for those under 18-years of age with the passage of the hands-free law change in July of 2008; however, it has now been extended to all drivers.

2.     DUI Probationers Zero Tolerance Law (Assembly Bill 1165)

This new law prohibits a person who has been convicted of driving under the influence and is on probation from driving a motor vehicle with a blood or breath alcohol level of 0.01% or more as measured by a preliminary alcohol screening test or other chemical test.  If the driver refuses to submit to, or fails to complete the test, or if the person is found to have been driving with a blood or breath alcohol level of 0.01% or greater, the person will be subject to a license suspension by the California Department of Motor Vehicles’ and issued a citation.  Additionally, the driver’s vehicle is subject to impound.

3.     Alcohol Related Reckless Driving (Assembly Bill 2802)

This new law requires a court to order a person convicted of an alcohol-related reckless driving, (commonly referred to as a wet reckless), to attend a drunk driving alcohol program of at least nine (9) months in length if that person has a prior driving under the influence or alcohol related reckless driving conviction within the last ten (10) years.  This law change can be found under Vehicle Code § 23103.5(f)(1) and § 23103.5(f)(2).

4.     Ignition Interlock Device (IID) (Senate Bill 1190)

This new law allows courts to give additional consideration for the installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) to those offenders who have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15% or greater.  This new law reduces the blood alcohol level from 0.20% or greater to 0.15% or greater to trigger the requirement.

5.     Ignition Interlock Device (IID) (Senate Bill 1388)

This new law allows the California Department of Motor Vehicles to require any driver convicted of driving on a suspended license due to a prior driving under the influence (DUI) conviction to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in any vehicle the offender owns or operates.  This is an expansion on the previous law that required courts to impose this condition on those drivers convicted of driving on a suspended license due to a prior driving under the influence (DUI) conviction to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in any vehicle the offender owns or operates because now the authority rests solely with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and is required at the time the Department receives notification of the conviction.