Things You Must Not Do:
- Do not smoke at any time when a minor is in
the vehicle. You can
be fined up to $100.
- Do not dump or abandon animals
on a highway. This crime is punishable
by a fine of up to $1,000,
six months in jail, or both.
- Do not operate a cell phone without
the use of a hands-free device
(minors, refer to the “Minors and Cell Phones” section for pertaining information).
- Do not drive a motor vehicle while
using a wireless communications
device to write, send, or read textbased
communications.
- Do not wear a headset or
earplugs in both ears while driving.
- Do not drive a vehicle so loaded,
either with property or people, that
you cannot control it, or see ahead
or to the sides of your vehicle.
- It is illegal to drive any vehicle
with an unsafe, unsecured load that
is a safety hazard (CVC 24002a). Unsecured loads (ladders, buckets, and loose items in the back of pickup trucks) can cause danger for other motorists, especially motorcycles, when they fall onto the road.
- Do not carry anything in or on a
passenger vehicle which extends
beyond the fenders on the left side
or more than 6 inches beyond
the fenders on the right side.
Cargo extending more than 4
feet from the back of the vehicle
must display a 12-inch red or
fluorescent orange square flag or
two red lights at night.
- Do not allow anyone to ride
on any part of your vehicle not
intended for passengers.
- Do not allow anyone to ride in the
trunk of your vehicle. Convictions
will result in penalties for both the
driver and the person(s) riding in
the trunk.
- Do not allow a person to ride in
the back of a pickup or other truck,
unless the vehicle is equipped with
seats and the person uses both the
seat and a safety belt.
- Do not transport animals in the
back of a pickup or other truck
unless the animal is properly
secured.
- Do not leave a child or an animal
unattended in a hot vehicle (refer to the to the "Unattended Children in
Motor Vehicles" section “Hot Weather Risks” section).
- Do not tow anyone who is riding
a bicycle, in a wagon, on roller
skates, roller blades, skis, sled, toy
vehicle, skateboard, etc.
- Do not litter the roadside. The
fine is $1,000 and you may be
forced to pick up what you threw
away. Littering convictions show
on your driving record.
- Do not wear eyeglasses with
temples wide enough to keep you
from seeing clearly to the sides.
- Do not drive a vehicle equipped
with a video monitor, if the
monitor is visible to the driver
and displays anything other than
vehicle information or global
mapping displays.
- Do not honk your horn unless
it is a safety warning to avoid a
collision.
- Do not throw any cigarette, cigar,
or other flaming or glowing substance
from your vehicle.
- Do not shoot firearms on a highway
or at traffic signs.
- Do not block your view by putting
signs or other objects on the
front windshield or the back side
windows. Do not hang objects on
the mirror. Windshield/window
stickers, etc., are permitted in
these locations only:
- A seven-inch square on either
the passenger’s side windshield,
lower corner; or the
lower corner of the rear window.
- A five-inch square on the
lower corner of the driver’s
side window.
- The side windows behind the
driver.
- Do not drive any motor vehicle
into a designated wilderness area
(CVC §38301.5).
- Do not drive with illegally
tinted safety glass. If you have
sun-sensitive skin, you may use
removable sun screens during
daylight travel, privided you have a letter
from your physician.
- Do not block or hinder a funeral
procession. Vehicles taking part
in a funeral procession have the
right-of-way, and if you interfere,
obstruct, or interrupt the funeral
procession, you are subject to a
citation (CVC §2817). A funeral
procession is led by a traffic officer.
All vehicles taking part
in the procession have windshield
markers to identify them and have
their headlights on.
- Do not ride, or allow a child to
ride, a "pocket bike" on a public
street or highway. These vehicles
are not manufactured or designed
for highway use, and they do not
meet federal safety standards.
Things You Must Do:
- You must drive as far to the right
as reasonably possible on narrow
mountain roads. If you cannot
see at least 200 feet ahead, honk
your horn.
- You must use your headlights
30 minutes after sunset and leave
them on until 30 minutes before
sunrise.
- You must dim your lights to low
beams within 500 feet of a vehicle coming toward you or within 300
feet of a vehicle you are following.
- You must turn on your headlights
if snow, rain, fog,dust, or low visibility
(1,000 feet or less) requires the use
of windshield wipers.
- If you are involved in a collision, you must move your vehicle
out of the traffic lane (unless it
is disabled) when it is safe to do
so.
Law enforcement may tow
or impound your vehicle if it is
left in an unsafe area and causes
safety concerns.
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