Latest news with #CaliforniaVehicleCode
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Long Beach to launch year-long e-scooter pilot program
The City of Long Beach will launch a 12-month electric scooter pilot program along its shoreline bike path starting on Saturday. The pilot, approved by the city council in a 6-1 vote on April 1, allows both privately owned and shared e-scooters to operate on designated portions of the Shoreline Pedestrian Bike Path between Alamitos Avenue and 54th Place. The program aims to assess how e-scooters can safely share space with other users while promoting sustainable and accessible transportation options, according to the city. Bird scooters a lame duck in West Hollywood, council decides 'The pilot will also assess compliance with speed limits, right-of-way rules, and helmet use across all modes of transportation. The City's Micromobility Team will release a six-month report summarizing key findings and recommending whether to move forward with the program, provided no significant issues are identified,' the city said in a news release. E-scooters will be confined to bike lanes and prohibited on pedestrian walkways. To support the effort, the city will install new signage and enforce separation between users. Scooters must comply with the California Vehicle Code, which limits their speed to 15 mph. In high-traffic areas, geofencing will automatically reduce speeds to 5 mph. Bicycles, both conventional and electric, will be permitted to travel up to 20 mph. Long Beach previously launched an e-scooter program in 2018, though scooters were banned from the beach path due to concerns over improper parking and device abandonment. No crashes were reported on the path during that time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Not so fast, California drivers — police say don't do this to you license plate
(KSWB/KUSI) — Think your car's license plate could use a little flair? Maybe a sleek tinted cover or a reflective finish to throw of those toll road cameras? Think again. In California, something as simple as adding a little personalized style to your license plate could result in a misdemeanor. Under California Vehicle Code Section 4464 (CVC 4464), your license plate has one job: be completely, mistakenly visible. When vehicle owners attempt to get creative with those front and back plates — that's when things can get a little dicey legally. CVC 4464 is simple — don't alter your license plate. Specifically, it's illegal to slap on a clear or tinted cover that affect visibility. Using reflective sprays or materials that throw off toll or traffic cameras is also barred under this law. Vinyl wraps, often referred to as 'skins,' and paint aren't allowed either. Additionally, adding fake numbers or stickers — including decals —to the plate or on the registration sticker is against the law. Same goes for blocking any part of the plate with a frame, tow hitch, bike rack, or even dried mud from an off-roading adventure. Basically, if a police officer or red light camera can't read it clearly, then it's in violation. According to California authorities, violating CVC 4464 is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $500. On top of that, getting caught with an altered or blocked license plate could lead to your vehicle getting towed and your plate being confiscated and returned to the DMV. 'You'll be on the hook for impound fees — and left without a plate,' warned officials with the San Diego Police Department. 'License plates are property of the State of California. It's not your plate to modify.' Though some drivers with altered plates may get off with a warning, that's not always the case. For those adamant about wanting a personalized license plate, there are some legal options. Drivers can obtain a personalized or special interest plate through the DMV by completing the Special Interest License Plate Application. 'Special interest license plates, available for autos, commercial vehicles, trailers and motorcycles, offer a unique opportunity to support causes you care about, while special license plates allow you to recognize service, achievements, licenses, status, historical significance, and various occupations,' the DMV noted online. Some examples of special interest license plates to choose from include those advocating for breast cancer awareness, national park conservancy, spaying and neutering pets, and the environment. Others give a nod to veterans' organizations, firefighters, California agriculture, and more. Be prepared to pay a fee for this customization. Special interest plates could cost between $50 to $103 for the initial application. Then, there's a renewal fee of $40 to $83 per year, depending on the plate selected. These fees are in addition to the standard registration fees. Another option for Golden State drivers is digital license plates, which were legalized under Assembly Bill No. 984. The sole provider of these plates is a a technology company called Reviver. Drivers can choose from a battery-powered option or a hardwired version. These types of plates can be personally customized with texts, fonts and even switch from light to dark mode. They can also display emergency messages, such as Amber Alerts in abduction cases. Additionally, digital license plates have built-in tracking technology to help locate stolen vehicles. This option is a lot pricier. Though costs may vary when purchasing from local dealerships or authorized resellers, the Reviver website lists the plates going for $899 outright. There's also a subscription option for around $40 a month. No matter which customization option you choose — if any — your license plate is more than a vehicle accessory — it's a legal identification tag. And in California, it's required to be fully visible and unaltered. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Los Angeles Times
28-03-2025
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
Laguna Beach approves ordinance regulating e-bikes
In response to an increased presence of e-bikes and other electric transportation devices around town, Laguna Beach has introduced a new ordinance regulating their operation. The ordinance provides police with an additional tool for enforcement within the municipal code, going beyond the rules written for bicycles. Bicycles cannot be ridden on the boardwalk at Main Beach, within city parks, or upon sidewalks in the existing code, but law enforcement officials said there was a need for electric transportation devices — including scooters — to be treated separately. Under the ordinance, e-bike speeds will be limited to 25 miles per hour within the city limits. If there are any passengers, they must ride in a seat attached to the vehicle, and all minors who either operate one, or ride as a passenger, will be required to wear a helmet. Those operating e-bikes must also travel in the same direction as vehicular traffic, obey posted street signs, and observe the right-of-way for cars and pedestrians, as outlined in the California Vehicle Code. Violations of the ordinance will be punishable by administrative citation and a fine. A first offense would be subject to a fine of up to $100, a second would incur a fine of as much as $200, and each subsequent violation within a year would result in a fine not to exceed $500. If a violation is committed by a minor, a citation could be issued to both the person operating the device and a parent or guardian. The city could also impound electric transportation devices whose riders violate the ordinance. If the operator of the impounded device is a minor, it would be released to an adult responsible for the child after the impound fee has been paid. City Manager Dave Kiff said the new ordinance will go into effect May 8. City staff will return to the council with a report on the results of enforcement six months later. Traffic Sgt. Thomas Spratt said the department has an aggressive plan in place for public education and enforcement of the ordinance. 'That's something we've been working on,' Spratt said. 'We're going to be coordinating with Orange County Parks and possibly the Sheriff's Department in the areas of our city that buffer the county parks and trails, so we have those things in plan, and hopefully we'll see some good results. But it is an education and enforcement component, depending upon the individual, how receptive they are and how extreme the violation is. 'It includes how old they are. We're obviously going to treat a 30-year-old a little differently than we would a 12-year-old that's on a bike, and that's what we really like about the ordinance. As opposed to the vehicle code, it allows us to bring the parents into the fold and take a little bit different action and plan of attack that can enhance that educational component before enforcement.' Laguna Beach Police Lt. Jesse Schmidt added that school resource officers will conduct training and safety education classes on campuses. Quarterly e-bike training and public safety courses will also be offered to the community.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Yahoo
Police arrest two people for alleged firearm violations in Stanislaus County
( — Two people were arrested in Stanislaus County in connection to various illegal weapons charges, according to the Ceres Police Department. Around 3:58 a.m. on Monday, CPD received a call from a concerned citizen about five individuals possibly rummaging through vehicles in the 1600 block of Dusty Miller Lane. Officers responded to search for the suspects. Gas station owner in Northern California shoots man twice in the chest, deputies say While patrolling the area, CPD said it spotted a red Toyota Camry occupied by multiple people. Noticing violations of the California Vehicle Code, officers said they pulled over the vehicle. During the traffic stop, CPD discovered that one person was carrying a loaded gun and a second firearm was found inside the vehicle. As a result, two people, ages 18 and 19, were arrested for alleged unlawful possession of a firearm and other related crimes. They were subsequently booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Erratic driver endangers Caltrans workers in West Los Angeles: CHP
A driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI earlier this week after driving erratically near Caltrans workers in the West Los Angeles area, authorities said. The incident occurred Tuesday when California Highway Patrol officers observed a vehicle cutting across a cone pattern while the Caltrans workers were outside their vehicles to work on the freeway, CHP West L.A. stated in an Instagram post on Wednesday. 'After contacting the driver and advising the reason for the stop (2818 California Vehicle Code) Officer Ramos observed the driver exhibiting objective signs and symptoms of impairment,' the CHP stated in the post. During a search of the suspect's vehicle, another officer located a Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) tank 'freshly used for inhalation.' An image of the NOS tank was shared on the post placed alongside what appeared to be a jar filled with marijuana. The unidentified driver was arrested on suspicion of inhaling nitrous oxide for the purpose of causing intoxication, according to the CHP. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
