Electric Cars Swarming In California

California, famous for its jam-packed roads and thick smog, dreams of change, with plans underway to improve both. This summer marks a bold step as fossil fuel cars transform into vehicles with almost no emissions, showing promising progress. Will this drive bring cleaner air and smoother rides? Stay tuned to find out what's revving up next! There are nearly a dozen new electric vehicle models taking to California roads this summer including the Coda, Tesla, Nissan Leaf and, of course, the Prius. Helping to make this transformation possible is the surge in electric power charging stations. California now boasts more of these charging stations than any other state in the U.S. These stations help make it possible for electric car owners to travel further than their range may permit because they can recharge either along the way or part of the way back. Along with these electric cars has come a surge in new legislation mean to make it easier for electric car owners to get around, and prevent other hazards from arising. There are new laws regarding who may park in an electric car charging zone and for how long; which lanes can be used by electric vehicles and where they can and cannot drive. It helps that these new electric cars are just about a match for their fossil fuel driven cousins when it comes to power and amenities.

Aside from the state’s longtime role as a trend incubator, other factors have combined to make this a test bed for what proponents hope will be a new age in personal transportation. The state’s policy makers have set tough emissions rules mandating a rising number of zero-emission vehicles, and they’ve offered tax incentives for buyers. As a hotbed of high technology and entertainment, California has plenty of influential early adopters with ready cash. An expanded charging infrastructure is being developed and, perhaps most important, battery-powered cars grant access to the coveted car-pool lanes on congested freeways. Among the most anticipated electric models of the summer is the Tesla Model S luxury sedan, with base prices of $58,570 to $78,570, depending on the size of the battery pack and, consequently, the driving range on a charge. While the car was under development, Tesla collected more than 10,000 reservations without so much as a test drive. Once promised for delivery in 2009, the S — Tesla’s second model — at last reached customers on June 22.

Grant Helps California Fight Distracted Driving

California dives headfirst into the battle against distracted driving. They've rolled out new laws to ensure drivers keep their eyes glued to the road rather than fiddling with text messages, emails, or GPS devices. Believe it or not, even twiddling radio knobs and adjusting air conditioning can be risky distractions, and law enforcement in California keeps a sharp lookout for these too. Now a new $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation is helping the city of Sacramento further drive the point home to anyone who gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. The $1.5 million will be spent on a public service campaign intended to help remind drivers distracted driving is not only dangerous in California, but also against the law. They will embark on this new public safety campaign immediately. before the heaviest driving time hits in July when traffic fatalities are expected to spike in the state, and across the country.

As part of the "Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other" campaign, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced this week that the federal government would provide $2.4 million to California and Delaware to initiate pilot programs aimed at examining whether increased police enforcement and paid media advertisements can seriously reduce distracted driving. "Distracted driving is an epidemic," LaHood said in a news release Thursday. "While we've made progress in the past three years by raising awareness about this risky behavior, the simple fact is people are continuing to be killed and injured -- and we can put an end to it." In 2010, at least 3,092 people were killed in distracted-driving accidents, accounting for one in 10 traffic fatalities, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Cellphone use on its own was a factor in 24% of all crashes in 2010, according to the National Safety Council.

Discount Car Insurance Gets Cheaper In California

Money saved is like a penny earned, especially when times are rough. The economy hits bumpy rides, and every buck matters a ton. So, here's some **joyful news** from sunny California that might just brighten your day. The state chose to lower the cost of its discount car insurance. Good news for many, including people who may have been holding off on getting any insurance so they didn't have to pay the higher price. Now there is little reason for anyone to be driving in California without insurance. The state program is not widely publicized and not widely known, even among the low income it is meant to help. However, the cuts are significant so it seems likely more people will now take advantage of it. For example, in the Bay Area alone a policy under the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program will now cost just $287 a year, down from $350. That's a savings of nearly 25 percent, and perhaps enough of an incentive to convince at least a few drivers who have been resisting to finally get insurance.

To qualify, drivers must have to have a clean DMV record and earn less than $28,000. Although the program has been around since 1999, only 11,000 people are currently enrolled. Jones said the price was lowered to encourage at least some of the state’s 4 million uninsured drivers to sign up. About 15 percent of those who get behind the wheel in California drive without auto insurance. “One of the reasons why people haven’t taken advantage of it is they don’t know about the availability of the program,” he said. The program was established to help low-income residents find affordable alternatives to meeting the state requirement that they buy car insurance. Just a handful of states offer low-income alternatives, including Texas, Hawaii and New Jersey.

California Teens Win Award For Safe Driving Video

**Teenage drivers** tend to be seen as a higher risk on the road. They're more likely to get into serious accidents and, unfortunately, might even be fatally injured in them. A preponderance of evidence exists which suggests that teen drivers are unsafe behind the wheel. Graduated driving licensing programs abound to address this issue and legislators and police have repeatedly attempted to educate the public about this issue and keep these drivers safe at any cost. However, bucking this trend, a group of California teenagers recently won an award from AAA for producing a new safe driving video for other teenagers.

Students from Sacred Heart High School in Los Angeles won $2,500 in cash for creating a lively and colorful video featuring a Bollywood dance troupe that learns a big lesson about driving recklessly. "Many people think texting or using a phone while driving are the main things that can cause a crash, stated award-winning teen director Danessa Inguito in the June issue of Westways magazine. "But there are a lot of other distracting activities, like listening to music, doing makeup, even talking." The nine students who participated in the victorious video production have donated their earnings to their school to purchase new computer equipment.

California Cell Ban Is Working

A **cell phone ban** for drivers put into action in California back in 2008 looks like it's working wonders. The California State Office of Traffic Safety has shared some fascinating news: **traffic deaths** in the state have fallen by a whopping **22%**, and deaths caused by cell phone use have plunged even more, by an impressive **47%**. These numbers speak volumes, showing how powerful laws can be in making streets safer. Isn't it amazing how a simple rule can lead to such significant changes? Keep your eyes peeled for more insights and reasons behind this drop! All of this good news for those who supported the California ban on cell phones for drivers but is a burr in the saddle for opponents and naysayers who continue to suggest that distracted driving is not even close to being dangerous. Unfortunately for the latter group repeated studies have shown that distracted driving results in more traffic fatalities each year than driving under the influence of alcohol. That startling statistic means that eventually all states are likely to come around to accepting that distracted driving bans are not only a good idea, but a requirement if they plan on keeping drivers safe on their roads.

Breaking down the study by years, in the first year alone after the cell phone ban, the CHP reported 700 fewer fatal accidents, and that there were 75,000 to 100,000 fewer collisions--the biggest single year-to-year drop in the history of the state. Though the base fine for being caught driving with a phone in your hand is still only $20, Governor Jerry Brown vetoed an increase last year on the grounds that the law is working because it is strictly enforced. Part of the study used a statewide census of police-reported traffic crashes to produce the first analysis of its kind in the nation. Its findings were restricted to accidents caused specifically by drivers using hand-held cellphones and concludes that 70-80 lives were saved and about 5,000 injuries prevented in the first two years of the ban.

Distracted Driving Law Under Fire

A San Francisco Bay Area DUI lawyer believes cops are using laws against distracted driving to step on our **civil rights**. He argues for their repeal or at least **tougher** rules on enforcement. The attorney, Peter Johnson, recently gave an interview at a California newspaper where he expounded on his belief that these new laws were empowering police officers to make stops without due cause. Johnson claims that these officers sometimes pursue a line of interrogation which is unrelated to the reason why the driver was originally pulled. He said this activity is illegal and in direct violation of individual civil rights. It seems unlikely these laws will be repealed, especially given the increased risk of a fatal collision which has been proven to be the case when drivers are distracted. The National Traffic Safety Administration and others have shown repeatedly that distracted driving is the single most likely cause of a fatal collision facing drivers today. Civil rights are surely important in America, but if nobody is left alive to enjoy them what good will they do any of us?

68,000 California drivers were issued citations for distracted driving last month. The vast majority of these citations were for texting while driving - a violation that can have severe safety risks according to some officials. But the numbers, released by the California Office of Traffic Safety, do not reflect another significant risk - civil rights violations - according to local attorney Peter Johnson, General Partner of The Law Office of Johnson & Johnson. Johnson contends that distracted driving laws are being abused by law enforcement. Distracted driving laws are meant to discourage a number of risky behaviors on the road, including texting, talking on a cell phone, and eating behind the wheel. But they are also used as a basis for conducting a pretext stop for to engage in unwarranted investigations and searches when the driver and passengers haven't necessarily done anything wrong.

CHP Take Teen Driving Safety Seriously

Teenage drivers are the **riskiest bunch** when it comes to serious, sometimes deadly, car crashes, as **any cop** or traffic safety expert will **quickly point out**. According to the Centers for Disease Control the leading cause of death for teenagers in America is driving collisions. This knowledge has prompted the California Highway Patrol to embark on a campaign to help educate teen drivers about driving safety. The CHP Start Smart traffic safety program for teenage drivers and their parents is free for anyone who wants to attend and helps remind everyone who gets behind the wheel that risks are high for younger drivers and everything you can do to mitigate those risks.

Since 2005, the Start Smart program has been helping future and newly licensed teenage drivers become aware of the responsibilities that accompany the privilege of being a licensed California driver. Designed as an educational tool for parents and teenagers in an effort to reduce the number of teenage injuries and deaths resulting from traffic collisions, the program attracts anywhere from 10 to 45 attendees every month that it is given. "The courts also mandate that minors who have been issued a citation attend a Start Smart class as well," said Officer Miguel Duarte, public information officer of the Moorpark CHP.

California Drivers See Fuel Price Spike

Just two days before the exciting Memorial Day weekend kicks off, drivers in California face a bump in their plans. **Gas prices are climbing** and show no signs of slowing, leaving folks hoping for a cheaper getaway feeling disappointed. This unexpected rise slashes the dream of an affordable road trip like a popped balloon for many. Anyone planning a scenic drive or a visit to family will probably feel the pinch at the pump, making those coastal getaways feel a bit pricier. So, consider planning that route a little more carefully or searching for those hidden fuel deals, which might just save a buck or two. The price spike was prompted by the closing of some oil refineries and prices seem to have finally stopped climbing. But that is little relief for drivers in Los Angeles who are paying about $4.41 per gallon today. The prices have increased more than 17 cents per gallon since last week. It seems unlikely the prices will come down before drivers head out on vacation tomorrow, meaning Southern California drivers will be paying record prices at the gas pump. And they are not alone.

In Orange County, the average is $4.383 a gallon, up 17 cents since last week. That's also a rise of 17.3 cents since last month, and a rise of 18.8 cents since last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.369 a gallon, 14.8 cents above last week, 13 cents above last month, and 18 cents higher than last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.420, up 16.7 cents from last week, 17 cents higher than a month ago, and 16 cents above last year. In the Inland Empire, the average per gallon price is $4.370, up 16.8 cents from last week, 14 cents higher than last month, and 17 cents more than last year.

Millions Of Californians Hitting The Road this Weekend

With Memorial Day weekend only a few days away, millions of California drivers are getting ready to hit the road. AAA Northern California estimates that **4.2 million drivers** plan to travel **50 miles or more** this weekend for their holiday plans. That's a whopping 210 million driving miles in just a short three day period. With so many drivers hitting the road you can bet the police will be ready and waiting. Not only is a nationwide Click It or Ticket program going to be underway, but with many new laws governing distracted driving, you can bet police will be watching for that as well. It is an American tradition to hit the road during Memorial Day and hardworking people are entitled to a few days of rest and relaxation. But every one who hits the roads or highways needs to be aware that they will be sharing those roads with millions of other people just as intent on having a good time and getting to their destination as soon as possible so they can begin enjoying themselves. The goal for police and everyone involved is to make certain everyone gets where they are going safe and secure. That too, is an American tradition, but we don't always do the best job of upholding it.  

California Issues Record Number of Distracted Tickets

California's month-long crackdown on handheld devices, also called the distracted driving law, led to 57,000 tickets and 3,800 citations for folks caught chatting or texting on their phones while driving. April marked a surge in the use of handheld devices by drivers, or simply a more concerted effort by police to identify and cite those drivers who have been flaunting the law. The California Office of Traffic and Safety said it is doubtful the numbers are going to get better any time soon, despite increased enforcement.

“Unfortunately, we’re seeing that the problem of cell phone use for talking and texting while driving is not going away anytime soon,” said OTS Director Christopher J. Murphy in a statement. A recent OTS survey found that more than 10 percent of drivers talk or text while driving. More drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 admitted to talking or texting in this survey, raising the figure to 18 percent — only 9 percent of that group said they used their cell phones while driving in 2011. To counteract the problem, OTS official said it would continue with the “It’s Not Worth It!” campaign, to raise public awareness and enforcement efforts. “There are those who understand the dangers and have curtailed their use, while others think the hazards apply to everyone else but them,” said Murphy. “We can’t stop until we convince everyone that they are putting their own life and others around them at risk with this perilous behavior.”

California Ups The Ante For Distracted Drivers

When talking about distracted driving, California lawmakers want to make one thing crystal clear: **If you drive distracted, you will face consequences.** The California State Senate approved a measure which would ultimately raise the fine for anyone caught using their cell phone while behind the wheel. Senate Bill 1310 increases the fines for breaking the hands-free and no texting laws from $20 to $30 for a first-time offense, and from $50 to $60 for subsequent offenses. The total cost of a first offense, including penalties, would rise to roughly $199, depending on the county. Second offenses would cost about $371 According to a press release, the extra money from the tougher law would be used to fund a distracted driving education program in the California Office of Traffic Safety. California Highway Patrol has repeatedly conducted distracted driving campaigns focused on finding and ticketing drivers who refuse to put down their cell phones or other handheld devices while trying to navigate California highways. Despite these increased patrols, hundreds of drivers have been caught and hundreds more are still doing it--hence the increased fines. And the effort to curb distracted behavior on the roadways doesn't stop with cars. If passed SB1310 would also levy fines on bicyclists who ride distracted. They would pay just $20 for first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense, and with no fees and would not get a point on their record for second offenses, but the bill is being supported by the California Bicycle Coalition which means it has bilateral support. Repeated studies have shown that distracted driving behaviors, whether it is talking on a cell phone, sending and receiving text messages; updating social media or even sending and receiving emails, all leads to an increased risk of having a vehicle collision. Every vehicle collision adds to the costs everyone pays for insurance; increases the risk of serious of injury or death and generally causes a lot of problems for everyone who rides or drives on the roads.

Californians Flaunt Distracted Driving Warnings

A study from the California Office of Traffic Safety reveals that **10% of California drivers** are distracted behind the wheel. Imagine this: as you drive past ten cars, one driver might be busy checking email, talking on the phone, or sending a text. How many cars do you usually pass during your drive to work every morning? These statistics come the heels of a massive effort to focus attention on the dangers of distracted driving. The California Highway Patrol has recently been focusing nearly exclusively on enforcing the state's distracted driving ban, but still, the numbers show that many drivers simply are not getting the message.

The results showed an increase in distracted drivers; the overall rate was 10.8% of drivers were using their phone in some way while behind the wheel. During a similar observational study last year, only 7.3% of drivers were distracted by phones. While there were increases in every age group, the California Office of Traffic Safety says the most dramatic increase was in the 16-to-25-year-old group, reportedly doubling from 9% in 2011 to 18% in 2012. This younger group of drivers is more comfortable using smartphones to stay in contact, and utilize various apps. “Now that smartphones are becoming the majority, people are using them more often and in many more ways. This might be helpful in a lot of places, but definitely not behind the wheel,” said OTS Director Christopher J. Murphy in a press release.

California Lane Splitting Is Legal

Stuck in traffic, just waiting like everyone else, when suddenly a motorcycle zooms **between the lanes** and skips past all the stopped cars. **This irritates** many drivers. It might frustrate you (and most other drivers) but it is perfectly legal, and a good way to convince drivers there are advantages to using other means of transportation than cars. A recent survey by the California Office of Traffic Safety found that more than half of all drivers in the state fail to realize that "lane splitting" is perfectly legal. In fact, almost 20 percent of those same drivers admit they have actually tried to prevent motorcyclists from doing it because they believed it was illegal (or at least unfair.) May is Motorcycle Awareness Month and the California Office of Traffic Safety is focusing on helping all drivers increase their awareness of motorcycles and the laws they must follow. There is room on the road for everyone, but we all have to learn to get along. If not, that's when accidents happen and nobody wants that.

Lane splitting has been a subject for controversy and confusion for years. The OTS survey showed that only 53 percent of vehicle drivers knew that lane splitting is legal in California. Eighty-seven percent of motorcycle riders say they lane split, while seven percent of vehicle drivers admit to having attempted to prevent it. The key to legal lane splitting for motorcycle riders is doing so in a safe and prudent manner, being cognizant of overall traffic speeds, speed differences, spacing and lane changing patterns of surrounding traffic. Riding too fast is one of the most common things that motorcyclists do to make lane splitting unsafe. Motorists and other road users are reminded to safely “share the road” with motorcycles during May, and throughout the year, and to be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe. Changing the driving habits of motorists and motorcyclists alike will help decrease the numbers of motorcyclists killed and injured in crashes. Motorcyclists are reminded to make sure that they are visible to motorists, and that they follow the rules of the road. All road users are reminded to never drive, ride, walk or bicycle while distracted or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

California Car Insurance Optional

You don't need car insurance to drive legally in California. Believe it or not, the law allows an **uninsured** driver to pay **$35,000** to the **California DMV** or get a **$35,000 surety bond**. In this way, they're still covered. Just consider it self-insured status. California is not the only state in the union which offers this option for drivers without insurance, but it certainly is the largest. New Hampshire, Iowa, Tennessee, Washington, Texas and Ohio also offer a "work-around" for uninsured motorists. Regardless of whether or not your state allows you to circumvent having motor vehicle insurance, they will still require that are prepared to pay for any eventualities in the result of a vehicle crash. So, make certain you brush up on your state's law before you decide to forgo insurance.

In layman's terms, you can legally "bribe" your way out of insurance payments by cutting states a big fat check. Drivers in California can skirt the law by forking over $35,000 in cash to the DMV or posting a surety bond in the same amount. It's a little bit cheaper in Ohio, where residents pay $30,000 to the DMV or state treasurer for the privilege. And some states don't require drivers to pay for insurance at all. In New Hampshire and Iowa, auto insurance isn't compulsory. In the latter, you can buy a car without proof of insurance. But in order to get away with driving uninsured, you'll have to cut the state a check or post a bond worth $55,000.

College Students At Greater Risk Of Distracted Driving

A study by UC San Diego's Trauma Research Center and the California DMV found that drivers using handheld devices for texting have a risk of serious crashes up to **16 times** higher. This is hardly news to the National Transportation Safety Board which released a report in December which showed that fatal crashes caused by distracted driving now outpaced the number of crashes caused by driving drunk. But the US study focused primarily on college aged drivers; those whom many consider to be the highest risk group for distracted driving. The California Department of Motor Vehicles is working with colleges around the state to help get a message through to college students that their behaviors behind the wheel might be the biggest impediment to their graduation.

Nearly 5,000 students from University of California San Diego, San Diego State University, University of San Diego, CSU San Marcos and eight smaller colleges in the region completed the study. The average age was 21 years old; 66 percent female; 83 percent were undergraduates; 17 percent graduates. Distracted driving behaviors 78 percent reported driving while using a cell phone (talking or texting) 52 percent reported using hands-free devices at least some of the time 47 percent said they use hands-free at least 50 percent of the time Only 25 percent used hands free with high frequency 50 percent said they send texts while driving on freeway 60 percent said they send texts while in stop-and-go traffic or in city streets 87 percent send texts while at traffic lights Only 12 percent said they never text, not even at a traffic light

Manhattan Beach Police Aim For Distracted Drivers

On April 18, Manhattan Beach, California cops made it crystal clear that distracted driving won't fly in their town. Their crackdown led to **78 tickets** for using cell phones, **15 for texting**, and just **one warning** for distracted speeding. There were five motorcycle mounted police officers and four patrol cars involved in the crack down which was meant to coincide with Distracted Driving Month (April.) Police in Manhattan Beach are calling the stepped up enforcement campaign a big success and say it is likely they will continue to aggressively enforce California distracted driving laws. In light of a recent report by the National Transportation Safety Board that distracted driving is now the single most common cause of traffic fatalities, it seems likely this stepped-up enforcement will continue for some time.

The focused enforcement is part of MBPD's participation in Distracted Driving Month, as traffic patrol jurisdictions raise awareness in California during April, said Mason. Mason wrote 26 of the April 18 citations and said that five motorcycle officers joined four patrol cars in the enforcement on April 18. "We've always paid attention to it [distracted driving]," said Mason on Friday. He said that drivers should drive with both hands free at all times. He said that drivers don't always know that it's illegal to take their eyes off the road to hit a button to answer a cell phone or to look at an email or text message. On April 3, another special enforcement day in light of Distracted Driving Month, one patrol car and four motorcycle officers provided enforcement.