FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | FEBRUARY 2016 17
Neighborly Notes By Bobbie Eckel
Welcome to the New Year! We not only started 2016 with days of
storms, but the California Legislature approved many new traffic
laws which took effect Jan. 1.
Assembly Bill 53 requires that children under age two must be
secured in a rear facing child safety seat. Previously only children
under age one were required to ride rear-facing. Current law requires
that children under age eight must be in an approved child safety
seat. This law takes effect Jan. 1, 2017.
Also in 2017 anyone involved in a traffic crash in which an injury
occurs or if there is property damage in excess of $750 must report
the incident to the DMV by filing the appropriate SR-1 form. This
was later revised by Senate bill 491 to raise the threshold amount for
reporting accidents to $1,000.
Senate Bill 491 clarifies the existing law by specifically prohibiting
the wearing of headsets or earbuds when operating a motor vehicle
or bicycle. The obvious intent is to allow the driver or cyclist to hear
sirens, horns and other safety alerts.
Mark your calendars. The La Quinta Arts Festival is March 3 – 6.
Plan to buy your ticket early. While you are marking your calendar,
make a note that daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 13.
Thoughts from Maxine: "Take every birthday with a grain of salt.
This works even better if the salt accompanies a Margarita."
