'Go Safely, California' Campaign Aims to Change Traffic Safety Culture
According to projections from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 4,400 people were killed in traffic crashes in California in 2022.
GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of California. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 18.
Universal helmet law enacted 1992.
5 years
70 and over: mail or online renewal through Dec. 31, 2022
None
Decriminalized and legal for medical and recreational use
None
70
55
65
55
70
55
0.15
4 months
After 30 days
Mandatory for all repeat and injury-involved offenses, first-time injury or vehicular manslaughter offenses.
Yes
No
Under 2 yrs and under 40 pounds or 40” in rear-facing car seat, following manufacturer instructions and in a back seat
Under 8 yrs and under 57" tall in child safety seat or booster seat in the back seat, following manufacturer instructions
Under 16 yrs properly restrained, including a seat belt
17 years
15 / 6
6
50 (10)
16
11 p.m. - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement)
First 12 months: no passengers under 20 (secondary enforcement) unless accompanied by parent, guardian or other adult 25 years or older
All
Primary
16 and over
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Secondary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
None
n/a
Permitted by state law
Statewide
According to projections from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 4,400 people were killed in traffic crashes in California in 2022.
The Los Angeles based law firm specializes in helping people impacted by traffic collisions, with a particular focus on crashes involves motorcycles, passenger cars and bicycles.
Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Assn., said the Windsor Hills crash that took multiple lives might not have been so severe had the road been designed with more impediments toward picking up tremendous speed.
New research suggests state laws that prohibit drivers from holding a cell phone under any circumstance appear to be effective in reducing rear-end crashes.
For years, highway safety groups have argued that two provisions in federal highway law encapsulate a fundamental flaw in how the federal government approaches highway safety.
Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Assn., a Washington nonprofit representing agencies nationwide, suggested that people’s disregard for themselves and others on the road is part of a national decline in civility that accelerated during the pandemic.
Glotzer & Lieb, a Los Angeles-based personal injury law firm, helps crash victims throughout Southern California hold reckless motorists accountable when they cause serious harm.
Russell Martin, GHSA senior director of policy and government, cited several reasons for the pandemic trends. With roads emptier, “people had more opportunity to speed,” he said. And with people traveling less distance, there was more cycling and walking.
As the number of pedestrians killed by drivers continues a decade-long trend in the wrong direction during the pandemic, GHSA & its SHSO members are marking the 2nd annual Nat'l Pedestrian Safety Month by taking steps to address the behavioral safety issues that put people on foot at increased risk.
As the number of pedestrians killed by drivers continues a decade-long trend in the wrong direction during the pandemic, GHSA & its SHSO members are marking the 2nd annual Nat'l Pedestrian Safety Month by taking steps to address the behavioral safety issues that put people on foot at increased risk.