Full Notification

The Torrance Police Department and Department of Motor Vehicles would like to advise you of two amended California Vehicle Code (CVC) laws for 2017.

1)    Expanding Prohibitions on the Use of Electronic Devices While Driving

Effective January 1, 2017, Assembly Bill 1785 amends CVC 23123.5 to prohibit a person from driving a motor vehicle while holding and operating a handheld wireless telephone or a wireless electronic communications device. However, a driver may operate a handheld wireless telephone or wireless electronic communications device if:

• ·          the device is mounted on a vehicle’s windshield in the same manner as a portable Global Positioning System (GPS) or is mounted or affixed to a vehicle’s dashboard or center console in a manner that does not hinder the driver’s view of the road, and
• ·         the driver uses his/her hand to activate or deactivate a feature or function of the device with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the driver’s finger.

This section does not apply to manufacturer-installed systems that are embedded in the vehicle.

2)    New Child Safety Seat Requirements for Children Under 2 Years

Effective January 1, 2017, CVC 27360(b) is amended to require a parent, legal guardian, or driver of a motor vehicle transporting a child under age two on a highway to properly secure the child in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system that meets applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards, unless the child weigh 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. 

The child must be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the child passenger restraint system.  If the child exceeds either or both of the weight/height parameters provided under CVC 27360(b), the child must be secured in accordance with the provisions established under CVC 27360(a).  This section does not apply to a driver if the parent or legal guardian of the child is a passenger in the motor vehicle.

The Torrance Police Department reminds you to buckle up and drive safely for a happy and healthy 2017.  For more information on California Vehicle Code laws, visit California Legislative Information at http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/.

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Non-Emergency: 310-328-3456

Provided By:
Torrance Police Department –
Community Affairs Division
310-618-6391 or 310-618-6392
www.Police.TorranceCA.Gov
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