CHP Commissioner Mike Brown was quoted as saying, “New, inexperienced drivers don’t need any distractions while behind the wheel. The results can be deadly.” There is an exemption for emergency purposes. Both cell phone laws go into effect July 1st. Other new laws that go into force as of January 1st include a controversial law prohibiting smoking in a vehicle when a minor is present, whether the vehicle is moving or stopped. This is a secondary violation that is only enforced if you are stopped for some other violation.

Also effective January 1st is a law prohibiting spray coating of license plates with products intended to impair the reading of the plate by electronic devices such as red-light cameras, toll booth cameras and license plate reader. And, If you display false or fraudulent registration or license plates, peace officers can have your vehicle towed. The current policy is to cite and only tow if the registration is more than six months out of date. And finally, if you or your children are bicyclists, be sure to use lights or reflectors while operating bikes upon highways, sidewalks or bikeways. It’s not just a good idea, now it’s the law.