Who are the people most at risk on the roads? It is not wrong to say that anyone driving around faces a certain threat level to their safety, but the fact remains that pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists are the most vulnerable in daily life and general navigating. Bigger vehicles pose a major threat to their safety, and certain driving styles too. So, what’s being done to mitigate these risk factors? California has seen a number of new laws come into place this last year or so and this guide explores them in more detail.
For Cyclists
The first category to discuss is cyclists. Over 10,000 bike riders are injured every year on Californian roads and a high number of these accidents end in fatalities. These figures are shocking, and there has long been a pressing need for a higher level of protection for cyclists to ensure that the numbers decline. Here is how the state is handling this data.
AB-1909: The Omni-Bike Bill
The main threat for cyclists is car, truck, and bus drivers. Pedestrians are not high up on this list, because if a cyclist is following the pre-existing rules of the road, it is not common for the two to come into direct contact. The only circumstance where this could come to pass is if a bike rider were traveling where they were not allowed, for instance on the pedestrian walkway, or if they fell off. This law is designed to control the disparity between cyclists and vehicle drivers. It covers many interesting bases and has promising nuances that should garner better protection for both sides of the coin.
No More Cyclist Licenses
Previously, cyclists operating on the main roads were required to hold a valid license. However, this has now come to change and will no longer be relevant in 2023 and forever more. This is to focus on sustainability and protect the infrastructure with the hope of motivating more people to hop on a bike and travel around.
Lane Changing
Before this law came to pass, a car could overtake a cyclist without having to switch lanes to do so. Now, however, this has changed. To legally drive past a bike, the car must enter another lane and give a clear, wide distance between the two entities. This aims to stop unnecessary close calls between bikes and car drivers and should protect both parties from becoming injured as a result.
Electric Bikes
Electric bikes are now allowed to travel on regular bicycle lanes which means they will spend fewer miles on the main carriageways used by cars, trucks, and similar. There must be the right safety provisions in place like lights and protective apparel but as long as these conditions are met, these faster electric bicycles are permitted to ride freely in the cycle lanes around the state.
Walk Signals
The final update is to allow cyclists to cross at intersections just like pedestrians while the WALK signal is showing. This was not permitted before, but the change will be a positive one and make crossing traffic easier and safer for bike riders.
For Vehicles
As the best vehicle accident lawyer team, is it important for us to highlight that cars and similar also face new legislation. The main changes are highlighted in this section.
AB-2000: Illegal Racing
Officially cited as the Illegal Participation in Races or Sideshows in Off-Street Parking Structures, this bill focuses on a major problem throughout the state of California. The name of the law is self-explanatory, and it exists to reduce the illegal racing pandemic that causes many casualties and deaths every single year, especially among younger drivers who are the most vulnerable. Under this new law, if anyone is found to be taking part in any kind of illegal race in this kind of facility, they will be penalized accordingly.
SB-1472: Manslaughter Charges
It is often the case that drivers who speed or get behind the wheel under the influence cause an accident. Sometimes, these accidents lead to death. When this happens, there are new charges to be brought into action. The offender will face time in jail for a maximum spate of a decade. This has changed from the previous six-year sentence structure that was in place before. This law has come into place in light of the increase in road-related fatalities across California and is a welcome change that will act as a deterrent for anyone thinking of engaging in reckless practices while driving.
For Pedestrians
Another high-risk group is pedestrians. You may not think that you will become a victim of a road collision when you are not even in a car, but it happens a lot and there is a pressing need for better protective regulations. Thankfully, the latest bill below covers a lot of bases.
AB-2147: Freedom to Walk
It is now completely legal for pedestrians to cross the road without having to stand at an official intersection signal place. This means, there is an increased scope for safer crossing and there will be fewer times when pedestrians attempt to nip across without being caught, and so on. While it is always important to pay attention whenever a pedestrian is crossing traffic, this makes the whole activity far less restrictive.
What to Do Post Accident
As a pedestrian, cyclist, or car driver involved in an accident, it is hard to move on with life. Make an appointment with our personal injury law firm to find out what needs to happen next. You may be eligible for a compensation payment, and our team of top personal injury attorneys will work hard to secure the best possible outcome every step of the way.
If you are a bike rider, non-driver, or vehicle owner who has suffered through a collision, get in touch with us as soon as possible. You are likely to be owed some form of compensation and we will help you navigate the claim successfully. It’s never easy to go through something traumatic like a road accident, and our team of expert attorneys is here to help.
Let the attorneys at What’s My Case Worth fight for you today.
