January not only rings in a new year, but also new laws for 2010. The California Highway Patrol reminds drivers to be familiar with these new traffic laws passed by the legislature and signed by the governor. These are just a few of the news laws that take effect in either January or July 2010.

Ignition Interlock Devices (IID). Effective July 1, 2010, this new law establishes a pilot program in the counties of Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Tulare from July 1, 2010 to Jan. 1, 2016. The pilot program will require, as a condition of reissuing a restricted driver’s license, being issued a driver’s license, or having the privilege to operate a motor vehicle reinstated, subsequent to a conviction of any DUI offense; to install an IID in any vehicle, not including a motorcycle owned or operated by the offender.

This new law also establishes installation requirements and requires the installer of the IID to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when the IID has been tampered with, bypassed or attempted to be removed. The length of time the IID would be required to be installed in the person’s vehicle is based upon the number of DUI convictions and whether the offense was a misdemeanor DUI or a felony DUI.

Driving Under the Influence. Effective July 1, 2010, this new law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to advise second and third time misdemeanor DUI offenders of the following options: obtain a restricted driver’s license that would allow driving after serving a 90-day suspension period for a second conviction of misdemeanor DUI, or a six month suspension period for a third conviction of misdemeanor DUI if the violation only involves alcohol. The offender must enroll in a DUI program and the offender must install and maintain an IID in their vehicle.

Move Over/Slow Down. The new law removes the Jan. 1, 2010, sunset date on Sections 21809 VC and 25253 VC. Section 21809 VC requires a person driving a vehicle on a freeway and approaching in a lane immediately adjacent to a stationary, authorized emergency vehicle that displays emergency lights, or a stationary tow truck that displays flashing amber warning lights, to safely make a lane change from that lane, or slow to a reasonable speed.

Section 25253 VC requires tow trucks used to tow disabled vehicles to be equipped with flashing amber warning lamps and authorizes tow trucks to display flashing amber warning lamps while providing service to a disabled vehicle. However, this section prohibits tow trucks from displaying flashing amber warning lamps on a freeway except when an unusual traffic hazard or extreme hazard exists.

This new law adds a stationary, marked Caltrans vehicle displaying flashing amber warning lights to the “Move Over, Slow Down Law.”

These points are only a snap shot of the new laws listed here, and only a partial list of new laws for 2010. For complete information on chaptered bills, enacted in 2009, refer to the Legislative Counsel’s Web site at www.LegInfo.ca.gov.