California traffic fines increase in 2007

This came from a private source in law enforcement. I searched in the web as well and could not find it.

I can’t find this information to verify it. Looks like fake information.
Allan from California

Nothing about the car pool lane fines best way to confirm is to call CHP directly.
Here is a helpful link:
http://www.aaa-calif.com/corpinfo/06-12-26-2007motorist_laws.aspx

I have been searching all day and haven’t found it either. The source works in law enforcement that forwarded the info to me. Take it with a grain of salt.

Thanks for the input!

I have been forwarded an accurate list of the traffic law changes by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The following is an accurate list of the correct changes. Please disregard the original post an thank you to all who helped research this.

1. Carpool lane - 1st time offense: $1068.50 starting 1/1/07 (NOT the
$271 as currently posted on highways - this is old). Don’t do it again because 2nd time is going to be double, 3rd time triple, and 4th time your license is suspended.

Fact: It is highly unlikely that a single code section violation would result in a $1068 fine for a first offense. Generally, a first offense violation + court costs and fees could run as high as $590 (depending on what jurisdiction the offender was cited). If the jurisdiction has HOV lanes with double white lines, then you could potentially be cited for crossing a double-white + driving in the car pool lane — two violations. In this case, the total bail amount (fine + court costs and fees) could approach $1000. But again, a lot of variables would have to come into play.

2. Incorrect lane change $380. Don’t cross lane on solid lanes or any intersection.
Fact: following is a list of vehicle code sections under which violators are typically cited and the concurrent fines:
21100.3 Failure to obey traffic directions $130
21460(a,b) Improper turns over double lines/solid lines to right prohibited $130
21655(b) Failure to use designated lanes $130
21655.5(b) Improper use of preferential lanes $340
21655.8(a) Driving over double lines of preferential lanes $340
21658(a,b) Lane straddling/failure to use specified lanes $130
22107 Unsafe turn or lane change prohibited $130
22108 Signal required before turning or changing lanes $130

3. Block intersection - $485
Fact: Following is a list of vehicle code sections under which violators are typically cited and the concurrent fines:
21970(a) Vehicle stopped unnecessarily and blocking crosswalk or sidewalk $130
23333 Vehicular crossing-unauthorized stopping or standing $130

4. Driving on the shoulder - $450
Fact: Following is a list of vehicle code sections under which violators are typically cited and the concurrent fines:
21100.3 Failure to obey traffic directions $130
21460(a,b) Improper turns over double lines/solid lines to right prohibited $130
21655(b) Failure to use designated lanes $130
21754 Improper passing on right prohibited $130
21755 Unsafe passing on right shoulder $130

5. Cell phone on the construction zone - Double fine
Fact: There is currently no law against using a cell phone while driving. The law passed recently by the register requiring the use of hands-free headsets does not take effect until July 1, 2008. Otherwise, fines for traffic violations committed in constructions zones are higher than those committed elsewhere, but not quite double.

6. If passengers, over 18, do not have their seatbelts on, then both driver and passenger(s) get ticketed. Correct.
Fact:
23116(a) Transportation of persons without restraints restricted $130
(Note: total bail for first-time offenders for not wearing a seat belt in California ranges from $80 to $91).

7. Speeders can drive only 3 miles above the limit.
Fact: The California Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies can legally ticket drivers for going even 1 mile over a posted speed limit.

8. DUI = Jail.
Correct.

What is the fine for driving without a liscence.

I find these fines absolutely outrageous and unnecessary. Can’t government find a better way to fund its waste and extravegance than sticking it to everyone driving on the roads and for the most part minding their own bussiness. Over a thousand for a car pool violation. Give me a break.

Tom-I read the correction and it looks like it could be over a thousand. Even $500 is too high if you ask me.

Tom you hit the nail right on the head when you said “The only people that have a problem with the fines are those who violate them.” I constantly witness drivers crossing over the double yellow line to enter the HOV lanes…and when I am in an HOV lane at 65 MPH, you can BET it will scare the crap out of me to have someone cut in front of me to enter, when it is over the double yellow line. These people who think the fines are “unfair” are indeed the ones who violate the laws. Laws are not there to make the state wealthy. They are there to protect the citizens. Period.

Actually DUI = Jail Time is correct.

In one of the comments I made above you will see all the corrections for this post as provided by the DMV. The fact is if you are pulled over for DUI you will go to jail that night at the very least. As for being given time by a judge that is not discussed.

Alana,
Sorry but I don’t accept your premise or others here that think that high fines will make irresponsible people act responsibly. It won’t work. You could double or triple the fines and the emergency room would still be full of idiots that get some sort of excitement from driving fast. There is no way to stop them with the current society we live in.

Jerry, Let’s not forget that the idiots are the ones who never reach the emergency room because they never get hurt…it’s the inosent ones that get screwed up because of the idiots out there driving too fast, drunk, etc., etc., etc. So next time you see a victem of a car accident in an emergency room it’s probably the “other” guy who’s not there.

This is incorrect information. Check this site out. Maybe you should check your facts before you post them….just an idea…
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_california_traffic_laws_2007.htm

I dont understand, what difference does it make that the carpool lane fine is 5000-100000 dollars who cares. I never go in it unless i have TWO PEOPLE so i know im not going to get hit with it. I agree with others that the only ones who CARE about what the consequence for violating the law are those that break the law and dont think it the “crime fits the time” its is also the same people that dont believe in red light cams because they didnt get caught by a “person”. Take 3 strikes for instance some people feel that it is unjust , unfair, to expensive not controlled when if i got even one strike i would become a priest to stay out of trouble. On the second strike i would become a hermit for sure to avoid jail.

Louisa is kind of right, but not 100%. Fines are set by the state in their “Schedule of fines”, but the assessment fees can vary. By LAW, the max fine for an infraction is $250.00, plus the assessment fees which can be as high as 200%, depending on the county. The average assessment fee is 170%. For example a car pool lane violation is $126, but then there is the 170% assessment fees, makes it $340 and plus most courts add on $1 to help fun night courts. that is where you get the $341 fine for a carpool lane. The new signs that are not posted say $341.

Whole thing is bunk… Here’s a link to the real info.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/traffic/california.asp

Maybe you can clear up some confusion for me regarding the California law regarding cell phone usage while driving. I have heard of three (3) different dates that this law takes effect; 7/1/07, 1/1/08, and 7/1/08. Can you clarify this? See excerpts of my sources below:

Effective July 1, 2008, the legislation
prohibits drivers from using a wireless
telephone while operating a motor vehicle
unless the driver uses a hands-free device.

tom.voli on January 2, 2007 at 3:01 pm
tom@tomvoli.com
Cell phone law takes effect January 1 2008.

As of 07/01/07 cell phone use must be
hands free while driving. Ticket is $285.

If the first four of these little nuggets were true, you’d probably have to take a second job just to be able to pay for your traffic citations.

First of all, there is no way that anyone can quote a set amount for traffic citations statewide, as the fines for traffic citations are jurisdictional.

The state creates a list called the “Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule” that has recommendations for fines and penalties for various offenses. Then, judges in each county modify the fines as they see fit to apply to their jurisdiction.

In other words, you can get a ticket for the same offense in two different counties and the fines will be completely different.

However, the counties stick pretty close to the state schedule when determining fees. While the minimum “suggested” fine for car-pool violations did rise in 2007 to $380, there is not a county in California where the fine would exceed this by any more than a few dollars. The fine does not double for any second offense, nor will your license be suspended for a third offense.

Now, if you truly were clueless enough to get a fourth car-pool citation in one year, your punishment would depend on exactly what you did wrong, which the e-mail doesn’t mention.

If you cross the double yellow lines to enter or exit the car pool lane, that is an offense that will put a point on your driving record. Any four points that you get on your driving record within a one-year period will earn you a license suspension.

However, driving in the car pool lane alone is an offense that will get you a citation, but does not put points on your driving record, so the e-mail couldn’t be further off the mark there.

Other violations

As for the whopping price tags on the other violations - the recommended fine for most lane violations, unsafe passing or without sufficient clearance, or driving on the shoulder is $146. Block an intersection and you are looking at a fine of around $190.

Number five on the email - “Cell phone in the construction zone. - Double fine”

All traffic citation fines can be doubled in construction zones, except this one - since the law restricting cell phone use to hands-free gadgets does not take effect until July 2008.

“6. Passengers over 18 not in the seat belts - both passengers and driver get tickets”

This one is almost true. Actually everyone over the age of 16 is required by law to wear a seat belt when they are in a vehicle. Citing a passenger for noncompliance has always been an option. If the passenger is under 16, the driver, or the parent or guardian if they are present, even if they are not driving, can be cited for the child.

“7. Speeders can only drive 3 miles above the limit.”

`Speeders’ can drive at whatever speed they like. Drivers who do not want a traffic citation for speeding should use those big black and white posted maximum speed limit signs as their reference point.

“8. DUI = JAIL”

It might just be for a few hours, but going to jail has always been the case if you are caught driving under the influence.

“9. People driving on the left-most lane will be cited if they are going the same speed OR slower than the right lane.”

This last gem is simply the stuff of fairy tales. In reality, the entire email is clearly the creative little project of someone with a vivid imagination, absolutely no knowledge of traffic laws and WAY too much time on their hands.

~ Michelle Groh-Gordy

Interesting input; thank goodness for correct information.

One posting makes for an abundance of emails. I got the initial list at work and at home within the past two days!

I looked up the cell phone law: Effective July 1, 2008, the legislation prohibits drivers from using a wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle unless the driver uses a hands-free device. Drivers who violate the law will face a base fine of $20 for a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense.

Unbelievable how most people just forward “fwds” without looking stuff up.

Thanks for the correct information! It’s amazing how some blatantly wrong information gets passed around via email so easily.

Actually, the new California Traffic Laws 2007 is an email hoax. Check this website out:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_california_traffic_laws_2007.htm

The DMV’s new traffic laws do not cover or mention about any of these new fines:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/about/leg/leginfo_dl.htm

I have a question… you know the streets that have those big KEEP CLEAR sections? Who are those KEEP CLEAR sections for? An example is one by my house. There is an Arco on the corner. Near the corner going West is a big KEEP CLEAR section painted on the street. Is that for the people in the gas station wanting to get out and turn left, right or either? You can legally turn both ways, but with traffic, sometimes it is very hard to turn left. OR is it for people going East to turn into the gas station? This is a big topic of discussion in our house. I feel it is for the people in the gas station to get out. Can that KEEP CLEAR section be blocked by those coming out of the gas station wanting to turn right but have to get into the left turn lane because at the light they want to turn left? I know this is confusing. We have different views on the KEEP CLEAR sections and feel that it is for the business people trying to get out of the business and they can block it trying to get out, but the traffic cant block it or those wanting out wont be able to get out. BUT some of us feel that the KEEP CLEAR section is for the people wanting to turn into the gas station, turning left. I have seen these KEEP CLEAR sections where you cant turn left into because of double double yellow lines so you can only turn right out of the business. Can the KEEP CLEAR area ever be blocked?

i just got a ticket for my son not wearing a seat belt.
and the ticket came in a few days ago.
and it was $371.
is that the correct amount.
because that seems wy to high

Tom,
You really should put the corrected information at the TOP of your page. I’m glad that you corrected yourself, but unfortunately, people are still using the innacurate information you originally reported because they’re lazy and believe the first thing they read. I just got an email today which had your original, inaccurate laws and fines quoted verbatim.

Does anyone know what the typical current fine is for adult drivers in San Diego County for not wearing a safety belt (1st offense)? I’ve seen $68, $80, $91…

I was wondering how much the fine would be for carpool violation at rush hour. There were two people in the car but it was suppose to be 3. I totally didnt know rush hours require 3 people. Dennis, when i ran the stop sign the fine was $151.

I don’t know. I did hear something about that though. Anybody else care to explain?

I was just cited for my son not having his restraining belt on. My fine was far more than I ever expected for a first time offense ($371.00). When looking at this site, it states first time offences to be much lower with $130 being the fine. ?? What’s with the confusion?

Okay, I guess since you were sited the same as I, we have that in common. I agree with whoever said it was a small price to pay considering he didn’t go through the windshield, and that is exactly what I told my son. BUT! when I compare this with the fine of speeding, and other infractions, I feel this is WAY out of line.

Hi Tom,

I may have missed it in all the reading but, when will the cell phone law go into effect?

Thanks