New 2009 Public & Traffic Safety Rules

It's that time of year again. New laws.

As far as traffic safety goes, the legislature has come up with the following new laws:

1. Text Messaging (SB 28/Simitian) This new law makes it an infraction to write, send, or read text-based communication on an electronic wireless communication device, such as a cell phone, while driving.
2. DUI Probation License Suspension (AB 1165 Maze) A change in the driving under the influence (DUI) law creates a new authority for DMV to administratively suspend the driver’s license for one year under a zero tolerance standard. The new law authorizes law enforcement to issue a notice of suspension and impound the vehicle of a person who is driving with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.01 percent or greater while on court-ordered post-DUI probation.

(taken almost verbatim form the California DMV's website).

Maybe by 2010 they'll think to specifically prohibit emailing, playing with your iPhone's GPS feature, video games, and taking photos of the marquis which warns against texting while driving...uh, while driving. None of the above, perhaps STILL legal activities, are adviseable, irrespective of the absence of artfully worded legislation and legislative foresight.

More to follow after I assign my law clerk to research Proposition 9 and other laws affecting the public safety and the rights of the accused.