IT’S THE LAW
Making Turns Properly On Red Traffic Light

IT’S THE LAW

Right turns permitted against a red light must always be made after stopping and under certain conditions. It is timely to review these legal provisions in view of the new California law, effective September 7, governing the procedure of making left turns on a red light from a one-way street into another one-way street.

To make a right turn on a red light, the driver should come to a halt at the intersection as close as practicable to the right-hand curb. yielding the right of way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the stop-and-go signal. As soon as the way is clear, then the right turn may be made.

However, the law permits local authorities to prohibit such right turns on a red light in central business districts. Also, local officials may prohibit right turns on a red light outside the downtown area at any intersection under their jurisdiction if a sign is erected at the corner notifying the motorist to that effect.

On making a left turn against a red light from a one-way street into another one-way street, the driver should come to a halt at the intersection as close as practicable to the left-hand curb. When certain there will be no conflict with foot or vehicle traffic, the driver may proceed to make the turn.

Important new motor vehicle laws were passed by the 1955 California Legislature. Equally important changes and clarifications were made in many old laws.

Knowledge of these new regulations and revisions of the Vehicle Code is naturally vital to you as a motor vehicle owner and operator.

Several centuries ago a wise thinker, Thomas More, wrote:

“All laws are promulgated for this end: that every man may know his duty, and therefore the plainest and most obvious sense of the words is that which must be put on them.”

That advice is heeded in this article interpreting for you the new regulations and code revisions. The interpretations are actually summaries stated in everyday, non-legal language to make for easy reading and quick understanding of the essential elements.

September 7 is the effective date of these new laws, except for a few urgency measures which were put into effect immediately upon approval by the Governor.

The present California highway user tax rates will remain in effect until December 31, 1959, thus assuring the continuation of the state’s accelerated highway modernization program adopted in 1953. This new law carried an urgency clause and became effective January 22.

It is now provided in the Vehicle Code as well as in the Health and Safety Code that it is unlawful to dispose of any garbage, refuse or litter upon any highway or its right of way.

Driving under the influence of liquor is a misdemeanor. The penalty for a first conviction of such a misdemeanor shall be automatically increased to that of a second conviction, if the driver already has been previously convicted of a felony for driving while drunk.

Revocation of the driving privileges of juvenile offenders is mandatory upon conviction of certain serious offenses. Revocation or suspension shall also be imposed upon recommendation by the juvenile court judge for convictions of less serious offenses. The length of the terms of revocation or suspension shall be specified.

Local authorities, as well as the State Department of Public Works, may restrict speed to 25 miles per hour because of snow conditions. Local authorities may also determine the maximum speed allowable on any bridge or structure, or in any tube or tunnel, constitutes part of a highway.

The speed limit on highways where persons are at work shall be a prima facie limit of 25 miles per hour instead of a fixed limit of 25 miles per hour.

The speed limit for heavy trucks and combinations is increased from 40 to 45 miles per hour.

The Vehicle Code provides that the registered owner of a motor vehicle is responsible for any parking violation involving the vehicle. That presumption, however, does not mean that the registered owner is further presumed to have violated any other provision of the law.

To pass a motor vehicle going less than 20 miles an hour on a grade, an overtaking vehicle must go at least 10 miles an hour faster. In addition, it must complete the passing movement within a quarter-mile distance.

Heavy trucks shall use only the lane to the immediate left of the right-hand lane when passing another vehicle on freeways and multiple-lane highways. Where passing on the right is permitted, trucks may do so.

A peace officer may remove an illegally parked motor vehicle to a garage or other place of safety.

U-turns are prohibited on the approaches to or in front of any fire station.

School Safety Patrol members may be stationed at intersections near as well as adjacent to a school. The actual presence of a supervisory school employee is not necessary at a street crossing where a patrol is maintained.

Local authorities are authorized to close certain streets for use by colleges as well as high schools in giving automobile driving instructions.

School districts, under the Education Code, are allowed to conduct driver training classes on Saturdays.

It is unlawful to refuse to obey the directions of a fireman, whether a police officer is present or not, when he is protecting fire-fighting personnel and equipment.

Stops at an arterial stop sign are to be made at the limit line, if marked, even though there may be a crosswalk.

Emergency vehicles under certain conditions are permitted to go in a direction opposed to moving traffic on a one-way street or roadway.

Authorities may erect traffic control devices at the intersection of a highway and a private road or driveway if traffic conditions warrant.

License plates shall be mounted on a motor vehicle not less than 12 inches or more than 60 inches from the ground. They are also not to be covered with any material which decreases or impairs their legibility.

Registration and vehicle license fee reciprocity is granted to motor vehicles registered in other states pending the establishment of a California Reciprocity Commission. To prevent needless confusion and disruption in the interstate movement of vehicles and trade, this law carried an urgency clause and became effective April 14.

The program of quarterly registration of commercial vehicles is continued indefinitely.

Additional summaries of new motor vehicle laws and revisions of the Vehicle Code will be published in the next issue of Motorland.