Driving in California as an Outsider: Learning What the State’s Traffic Laws Are

If you are from outside of California but are planning to visit the state’s cities like Los Angeles or Santa Monica, you would most likely have to be aware of its road rules and driving laws. Whether you are bringing your own vehicle or planning to rent a car, it is important that you adhere with the driving regulations and at least have a grasp of the key laws. Basically, they are found in the California Driver’s Handbook, which is the simplified version of the laws set forth by the California Vehicle Code (CVC).

Meanwhile, here are some of the important road rules and laws you need to consider when you drive any vehicle as someone from outside the State of California:

• Speed limit. When you are driving on a suburban or city road, your speed limit should be at 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour). If you are driving down a freeway or a highway, your speed limit should be 55 mph (90 kph). Unless there is a speed limit sign that says otherwise, you must assume that the road you are on has either of the two.

• Having your car registered as a nonresident of California. If you bring your vehicle into California, or buys a vehicle in the state as a non-resident, you must know that there are some vehicles that cannot be registered in the state. That is unless your vehicle was manufactured to meet the state’s emission standards, or whether you or the vehicle is qualified for an exemption.

• Car booster seat laws. If you are driving out to California with your family, you must make sure that your child is correctly restrained in a booster seat or safety seat in your vehicle’s back seat. They can be restrained by your vehicle’s safety belt if he or she is already 8 years old or 4’9” tall.

• Use of handheld phones and texting while driving is not allowed. California is one of th states in the U.S. that ban cellphone use for all drivers unless there is hands-free device connected to it. Drivers below 18 years are not allowed to use cellphones, even with hands-free. Texting is likewise banned for all drivers.

• Encountering other road users. When encountering pedestrians trying to cross the street, always remember that you must yield right of way, especially when at marked or unmarked crosswalks. Also, it is important that you are aware of the other road users, especially motorcyclists and bicyclists. Finally, when an accident happens, driving away from the scene could spell trouble for you; you may likely be slapped with a hit-and-run charge.

Hero in a Pick-up Truck

We’ve always believes that heroes have to be mythical characters with great superpowers to be able to save people from harm. Well, this story might just prove it all wrong. In fact a hero could be a regular, pick-up truck driving Joe. In Utah, the Syracuse Police are pursuing a 14-year-old made that have taken the car he was driving from his grandfather in Duchesne County. The teen driver was in danger of running over the kids as he was trying to evade the authorities.

Hero in a Pick-up Truck

Bryson Rowley was driving his pick-up truck on a regular day. He got the surprise of his life when he saw a car running wildly. He saw that his and others’ kids in the park were in danger of getting run over by the fleeing vehicle. Bryson, made a quick, unexpected decision. Using his truck as a ram rod, he stopped the fleeing vehicle. The car struck his truck, causing great damage to the car, and injuries to the car’s driver and even to Bryson.

Hero Shrugs Off Accolades

Bryson, who declined to be photographed, has just shrugged the praises he has been getting. He said that he just acted to end the car chase for fears of the safety of his and other children playing at the park. His truck got damaged because of the car crash but he would do the exact same thing all over should it happen again.

Staying Safe While Cruising Down the Highway

Highways and freeways are a great way to help decongest local city streets. Through these high-speed thoroughfares, vehicles can travel with very much interference to the flow of traffic. This allows motorists to travel at a higher average speed, helping cut travelling and fuel costs. That is why for people travelling long distances and would want to avoid the insane traffic jams in the city, these expressways are where they should go.

The dangers with highways, freeways, and expressways
 
They say “the faster you go, the more dangerous things become” on the road. The higher the speeds you will be driving, the faster your reaction should be. The slightest input on the steering wheel creates such a huge impact on the way your vehicle behaves. Your ride’s condition also affects your safety on these expressways. The better your vehicle’s condition is, the safer it would be on the road. However, poorly maintained cars have higher chances of breaking down, which could also cause accidents.

Accidents on the highways
 
Just recently in Chino, California, two people died while another two got injured after a multi-vehicle collision took place along 60 Freeway in the area. According to the reports filed by the authorities, a disabled truck was near the center divider at Central Avenue when suddenly, a Lincoln crashed into it. Not long after, the driver of a fast-moving Kia Optima was unable to steer away from the incident, causing the multi-vehicle crash. Two passengers of the Lincoln were declared dead on the spot while both the drivers of the Kia and the former were rushed to the nearest hospital.

Avoiding highway accidents
 
Driving along expressways requires the utmost concentration by the vehicle’s driver. The slightest distraction, could lead to accidents that can cause damage to property, injuries, and even the death of not just the driver and his occupants, but also of others that they’re sharing the road in los angeles with. An expert auto accident attorney said that by ensuring the good condition of the vehicle before travelling, staying away from alcohol, keeping distractions away so you can focus the task at, driving. This way you, your passengers, and everybody else can real stay away from those road hazards keeping you safe and unscathed.

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Teenage Driving Deaths Decrease in 2011; 65 Percent Fewer Than in 1975

The teenagers are the ones who tend to drive less than any other age group, with the exception of the elderly. Conversely, however, the numbers of crashes and crash deaths in the United States are disproportionately high on teenagers. In fact, the fatality rate per mile driven of teenagers 16 to 19 years old is said to be almost 3 times higher than that of drivers ages 20 or above.

In addition, the risk of getting severely or fatally injured in a vehicle crash is much more likely to happen to teenagers aged 16 to 17. In fact, the fatality rate per mile driven for that specific age group is just about twice as high as for teens aged 18 to 19 years old. Indeed, teenagers, among all age groups, are more likely to get fatally injured in motor vehicle crashes.

This time around, though, the incidents of crash deaths among teenagers have been decreasing over the past few years. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), at least 3,023 teenagers aged 13 to 19 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2011. Comparing it with the previous years, said figure is 65 percent fewer than that of 1975 (8,748) and 3 percent fewer than in 2010 (3,121). Said figure also accounted for 10 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths in the United States (32,367).

Out of 3,023 motor vehicle accident deaths among teenagers, 11 percent of them were passenger vehicle occupants, or those who rode cars, pickups, SUVs, and vans. About seven percent were pedestrians, while only 3 percent were motorcyclists.

Incidentally, motor vehicle crashes were the leading causes of death among teenage males and females in the United States aged 13 to 19 years old, according to the latest statistical data available from 2010. Homicide and suicide placed second and third respectively.

Drinking and Driving: A Deadly Concoction

Driving is such a great experience one can have. Being able to go where you want to go using a vehicle is such a great feeling that not a lot of people would be able to feel. While there are a lot of people who’d rather be just a passenger, there are a few that wants to feel that wonderful sensation of operating a vehicle.

Drinking is also one thing that most people do to unwind. Alcohol gives one a great feeling, helping you let loose and unwind. People with problems are given the courage to let things out of him or her, lightening up one’s burden. Also, alcohol can be a great catalyst for fun times. However, too much alcohol can cause undesirable things that one person may regret.

As the old adage once said, “you can’t have everything in life”. This has never been truer with drinking and driving. Both are fun to do but combining them can be real deadly. If you have been drinking, your reflexes slow down which also affects your reaction time. Driving, as you very well know need fast reflexes as anything can happen on the road. If you wouldn’t be able to react properly and avoid road hazards, things can turn our badly.

Accidents caused by driving under the influence have been causing damage to property and worse, injuries or loss of lives. Now why would anybody want to risk that all for a night of fun? Why would anybody rush to go home when he or she believes that he or she will be having a hard time driving themselves home as they are really drunk?

Driving Under Certain Conditions in the State of California

Every driver in California must be responsible with themselves while on the road, especially under specific conditions. If the weather is not fine or the sun has gone down, every driver must make certain adjustments to make themselves and other motorists feel comfortable with their driving. Here are some of certain outside conditions and the corresponding adjustments that drivers in California must do:

•    Driving amidst the fog. Drivers must drive slowly, turn the windshield wipers, and use low beam headlights. In a thick fog, it is best to pull off the road for a while. Drivers must wait for the fog to subside until they can see well.

•    Driving in darkness. When driving in the absence of artificial light sources such as lampposts, it is also advised to drive slowly. Drivers cannot see far ahead and they only have little time to step on the brakes for a hazard. When it rains at night, drivers must turn on the low beam headlights.

When driving at night, drivers must be aware of the pedestrians and bicyclists as they are much difficult to see on the road. Also, motorcyclists are hard to see at night because they only have a taillight. It is also important for drivers to know that highway construction happens mostly at night, and that they must proceed slowly when passing through such.

•    Driving under falling rain or snow. Oil and dust that accumulated on the pavements may cause the road to become slippery, especially when it rains or snows. It is important for drivers to proceed slowly and with caution at the first sign of rain, drizzle or snow. Windshield wipers must be turned on, as well as the low-beam headlights and the defroster.

Growing Number of Distracted Driving Fatalities

Distracted driving is considered a major reason for numerous deaths in the United States. This prompted the government to launch a website that solely tackles this worsening problem. It is called Disctration.gov and one of its goals is to alleviate the country’s problem on preventable driver, pedestrian, and passenger deaths.

 According to this site, this present year, at the onset of 2012, about 3,000 citizens have been killed due to distracted driving. California was named as the state with the most number of fatalities, which was at about 3,081 just in the year 2009.

To state a clear and understandable premise, distracted driving takes place when the driver of the vehicle tries to do two things at once. An example is texting while driving. Many people are guilty of doing this, not to mention grooming or reading while still behind the wheel. Distraction is also described as when the attention of the driver is divided. A driver may not be doing anything but his or her thoughts may be far from driving the automobile. 

Citizens of the United States must realize that they are the ones highly at risk if they continue certain actions within their vehicles that could lead to crashes. Americans must know and understand that many children have died due to reckless motorist actions. These innocent lives were wasted because people failed to follow clear guidelines that have long been set. Every day, about 700 children get injured which, if added, could reach 250,000 child casualties in a year.