New Traffic LA Laws for 2005 Focus on Motor Scooter Safety, Traffic Congestion and Fee Increases

LOS ANGELES--Dec. 2, 20048, 2004--The New Year will bring new laws affecting California motorists, motor scooter owners and owners of personalized license plates, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California. More than 150 changes to the Vehicle Code will take effect on Jan. 1, 2005.

"While most of the laws passed will affect motorists, others were targeted to specific groups, such as motorized scooter operators," said Alice Bisno, vice president of legislative affairs. "These laws are intended to regulate who can drive motor scooters and how they drive."

The following laws will take effect on Jan. 1, 2005, unless noted otherwise:

-- Motorized Scooters (AB 1878) -- This law prohibits a person from operating a motorized scooter unless that person has a valid class C driver's license or an instruction permit. The bill also prohibits a person from altering or modifying the exhaust system to make it louder. This will be a violation of specified noise restrictions and muffler requirements.

-- License Fees (AB 2514) -- This law increases from $25 to $30 the fee charged for annual renewal or retention of a personalized license plate. The fee to transfer a personalized license plate increases from $20 to $30.

-- Exceeding the Speed Limit (AB 2237) -- Lead-footed drivers who are arrested a second and third time for speeding in excess of 100 mph will now pay $750 and $1,000 respectively.

-- Headlamps in the Rain (AB 1854) -- This law requires that every motor vehicle other than motorcycles to be operated with headlamps whenever weather conditions prevent a driver from seeing clearly for more than 1000 feet or when driving in conditions that require windshield wipers to be in continuous use. This law takes effect July 1, 2005.

NOTE: Although approved this year, this law depends upon Congress first passing legislation to approve it.

-- High Occupancy Toll Lanes & Hybrid Vehicles (AB 2628) -- This law allows specified hybrid vehicles to use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes without the required number of passengers. Qualifying vehicles must get an average fuel economy of 45 mpg. The DMV may issue no more than 75,000 special decals for this designation. Implementation of this law depends upon the federal government passing legislation permitting these vehicles in the HOV lanes without the required number of occupants.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.