Most Common Traffic Law Violations in California

By: Mesriani Law Group | Posted: 16th September 2009

Each state creates and implements its own traffic laws not only to facilitate the flow of traffic but also to ensure the safety of the passing motorists.



Traffic law violations not only endanger the motorist's life but of those around him as well.



Here are some of the details about the most commonly violated traffic laws in California.





Speeding



Under California traffic laws, no motorist upon a highway should driver at speeds greater than what is reasonable having due regard for the weather, visibility, the traffic and the surface and width of the highway.



In addition, no motorist should drive at a speed that endangers the safety of other people and properties.



Here are the speed limits in California depending on the type of road:



• The speed limit for residential urban roads is 25-35 miles per hour



• The speed limit for school zones is 25 miles per hour



• The speed limit for roads with no division between the two way streets is 55-65 miles per hour on both urban and rural areas.



• The speed limit for freeways in urban areas is 65 miles per hour



• The speed limit for freeways in rural areas is 70 miles per hour.



The speed limit is usually posted beside the roads. If there are no speed limit signs, the motorist must drive in speeds that will not endanger other people or properties.





Driving under the Influence



California has also adapted the two statutory offenses referring to driving while under the influence of alcohol.



Under California traffic laws, the two statutory offenses are:



• It is unlawful for a person to drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs or the combined effects of both. A person stopped can be charged of DUI based on the observation of the arresting officer and the results of a field sobriety test.



• It is unlawful for a person with blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more to drive a vehicle.



Punishment for this type of traffic law violation may include probation, fine, suspension of license, requirement to attend a DUI school and jail sentence.



If the DUI accident resulted to injuries or death (depending on the damage) the driver may be charged with felony DUI charges as well.





Reckless Driving



California traffic laws prohibit drivers from operating vehicles in a way that shows little or no disregard for the safety of other people and properties.



Some acts that are automatically considered as reckless driving are:



• Racing another vehicle on a highway



• Driving over 25 miles per hour over the designated speed limit



• Trying to elude a police officer



• On a two-lane road, passing another vehicle when visibility of incoming traffic is limited.



Conclusion



In the event of an injury or death as a result of a road accident, the abovementioned traffic law violations can be considered as a neglectful act and can be grounds for a personal injury or a wrongful death lawsuit.



Contact a car accident attorney to help you with your legal options.



To help you deal with issues involved in car accidents such as traffic violation laws, consult with our expert car accident lawyers. Log on to our website and avail of our free case evaluation.
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Tags: weather, rural areas, dui, miles per hour, driving under the influence, motorists, traffic laws, freeways, bac, urban areas, probation, speed limits, alcohol drugs, blood alcohol content