driving | 511 Contra Costa

Tag: driving

New California Transportation Laws for 2025

Posted on

With the start of the new year, a number of new laws and fee increases go into effect. We’ve selected the most significant ones affecting pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists.

Increasing Visibility Around Crosswalks (AB 413): As of January 1, 2025, it is illegal in California to park within 20 feet of the approach of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, even if there are no painted red curbs. Specifically, the law:

  • Prohibits the stopping, standing, or parking of a vehicle within 20 feet of any unmarked or marked crosswalk or 15 feet of any crosswalk with a curb extension.
  • Prohibits parking on the right-hand side of a two-way street within 20 feet of a crosswalk.
  • Prohibits parking on both sides of a one-way street within 20 feet of a crosswalk.
  • Allows local jurisdictions to paint zones that are longer or shorter than 20 feet to identify a specific no parking zone.

Safer State-Owned Roads (SB-960): Caltrans is now required to prioritize road improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and public transit riders. This includes improving and increasing sidewalks, bike lanes, bus-only lanes, safe crosswalks, accessible pedestrian signals and more.

No Tolls for Pedestrians on Bridges (AB-2669): This law prohibits tolls from being imposed on a pedestrian on certain bridges, including ones owned by the state.

Increase in Minimum Auto Liability Coverage (SB-1107): California motorists are required to carry insurance. As of January 1, 2025, the new minimum liability insurance requirements according to the Department of Motor Vehicles are:

  • $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person
  • $60,000 for bodily injury or death of all persons
  • $15,000 for damage to property

Toll Increases for Seven Bay Area Bridges On January 1, 2025, tolls at the region’s seven state-owned toll bridges went up by $1. Regular tolls for two-axle cars and trucks (as well as motorcycles) at the San Francisco-Oakland Bay, Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo-Hayward Bridges are now $8.

BART Fare Increase On January 1, 2025, BART fares increased 5.5% to keep pace with inflation. The average fare will go up 25 cents, from $4.47 to $4.72. The increase is tied to the rate of inflation minus a half-percentage point. It allows the agency to pay for continued operations and to work toward restoring financial stability.

Vehicle Break-Ins and Theft (AB-2536) Expands the definition of “vehicle theft crimes” to include the theft of vehicle parts such as catalytic converters.

License Plate Obstruction or Alteration (AB-2111) Prohibits a person from altering their license plate’s reflective coating to evade electronic capture of the license plate for any reason.

Driver Monitoring “Defeat” Devices (SB-1313) Prohibits a person from using a device designed to interfere with a driver monitoring system on a vehicle with advanced driver-assistance system features or autonomous technology. An example of this would be placing steering wheel weights to mimic hands placed on the wheel. “Defeat” devices are dangerous because they bypass safety features designed to ensure that drivers remain alert.

To read more on these and other new transportation laws, check out the DMV’s list of noteworthy new laws taking effect in 2025.

Additional Reading:

New California Transportation Laws for 2024

New California Transportation Laws for 2023

New California Transportation Laws for 2022

New California Transportation Laws for 2021

New Transportation Laws for 2021

Posted on

With 2021 now upon us, you should be aware of these three new laws affecting motorists:

  • Unattended children in motor vehicles: Exempts a person from civil or criminal liability for trespassing or damaging a vehicle when rescuing a child who is 6 years old or younger in immediate danger from heat, cold, lack of ventilation, or other dangerous circumstances. [Effective Jan. 1, 2021]
  • “Move Over, Slow Down” amendments: The “Move Over, Slow Down” law has been expanded to apply to local streets and roads. Drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying emergency lights, including tow trucks and Caltrans vehicles, must move to another lane when possible, or slow to a reasonable speed on all highways, not just freeways. [Effective Jan. 1, 2021]
  • Points for distracted driving: Beginning July 1, violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driving record.

For more information on new driving-related laws taking effect in 2021, click below.

Get More Information on New Laws for 2021

Sustain the Improved Air Quality We’re Enjoying

Posted on

If the sky seems a little bluer these days, it’s not your imagination. With significantly fewer vehicles on the road, Bay Area air quality is better now than it was two months ago. If you’re enjoying the change in the air, there are many simple things you can do to help preserve our air quality gains, even after shelter-in-place restrictions are lifted and more cars return to the road.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) estimates there’s been a 70% drop in bridge traffic, which would correlate with a 26% drop in carbon dioxide emissions and a 20% reduction in fine particulates (PM2.5). The result? Cleaner air and clearer skies.

Side-by-side comparison of the Air Quality Indexes (AQI) on Feb. 2 and Apr. 10

Similar air quality improvements have been seen in cities around the world. Los Angeles, famous for its smog, enjoyed its longest run of good air quality days since 1995. The Northeastern US experienced a 30% drop in air pollution in late March while China saw pollution levels fall nearly 40% between January and February. In Delhi, India, the persistent cloud of pollution (which can normally be seen from space) cleared away to be replaced by fresh air and blue skies.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) measurements from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-5P satellite
Delhi, India, before and after the national lockdown

Although much of the Bay Area’s improved air quality can be attributed to eliminated commute trips, some of it is due to changes in local travel. Multiple vehicle trips are frequently being combined into single trips, and for short trips, many people have switched to walking or biking.

The uptick in cycling is so dramatic that bike shops nationwide are reporting record bike sales, and bike manufacturers are running out of inventory. In response to the increased numbers of walkers and cyclists, some cities—including San Francisco, Oakland and Alameda—have implemented Slow Streets programs, which limit vehicle through traffic on designated residential streets so people can travel easily while maintaining six feet of social distance.

A map of San Francisco’s Slow Streets program

As shelter-in-place restrictions are removed and people return to their commutes, some increase in tailpipe emissions is inevitable, but there are actions you can take on the road, at home, and at work to help preserve our improved air quality. The California Air Resources Board’s list of Simple Solutions to Reduce Air Pollution is a good resource for getting started. It includes many actions you can take, like working from home, limiting the amount of time your vehicle idles, and turning off lights when leaving a room.

Another easy way to start making air-sparing changes is by joining the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge. With actions divided into categories like Transportation, Renter Friendly, and Easy, you’ll find things you can do which fit your lifestyle and budget. For additional encouragement, be sure to join the 511 Contra Costa Community Group after creating your Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge profile.

For more ways to contribute to cleaner air and bluer skies, explore these resources: