Fontana School Police Officer G. Johnsen

California Law

California Vehicle Section 12500(a) states that any person may NOT drive a motor vehicle upon a highway, unless the person holds a valid driver’s license.

California Vehicle Code Section 12951(a) states that the driver shall have their valid driver license issued to him or her in his immediate possession at all times when driving a motor vehicle upon a highway.

IMPORTANT : The driver of the vehicle must be covered on the insurance policy

You are required by law to be insured !If pulled over by a police officer, you must show proof of current insurance. If you are in an accident, whether you caused it or not, and you are uninsured, you will most likely be subject to legal and medical fees.

California Vehicle Code Section 4000(a)(1) states that no person shall drive, move, or leave standing upon a highway or in an off street public parking facility, any motor vehicle unless it is registered and the appropriate fees have been paid .

Accidents -- if you are involved in an accident that causes any injury or death, or more than $750 worth of damage, you must file a traffic accident report with the California DMV within 10 days of the accident. This report must be filed with the DMV, not the California Highway Patrol or other police departments; your insurance agent can also file this form for you.

Road RulesThere are a few points that might confuse or surprise

drivers

The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts.All children under the age of 6 or under 60 pounds in weight must be in

approved child-restraint seats or holders.NEVER place a rear-facing car seat in a front passenger seat that is

equipped with an airbag!

All children should ride in the rear seat until the age of 13.

Visit www.seatbelt.com for more information about different types of safety seats.

School buses - When you come to a school bus stopped on either side of a road with the bus's red lights flashing, you MUST stop, and remain stopped as long as the red lights are flashing. These laws are strictly enforced.

The red lights on a school bus are located in the front and rear of the school bus at the very top.

Speed Limit - School areas can be hazardous . The maximum speed limit is 25 MPH when children are present.

Pedestrians - you MUST stop for pedestrians who have entered a crosswalk. Pedestrians have the right of way at uncontrolled pedestrian crosswalks, but, pedestrians can not legally just cross whenever they want, they must wait until it is safe to cross. Many pedestrian crosswalks are marked by solid white or yellow lines.

U-turn only if safe and Legal: U-turns are generally allowed at intersections except where explicitly not allowed

(Sign posted “No U Turn").

California Vehicle Section 22103 states that no person in a residence district shall make a U-turn when any vehicle is approaching from

either direction within 200 feet.

“STOP” means STOP!! Not slow downCalifornia Vehicle Code Section 22450(a) states the driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop at the limit line, if marked, otherwise before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. If there is no limit line or crosswalk, the driver shall stop at the entrance to the intersection roadway.

Ten Tips for Drivers1.Buckle up passengers2.Drive at a safe speed3.Learn and obey the right-of-way rules4.U-Turn only when safe and legal5.Obey parking rules when you stop or park6.Use designated areas to drop off or pick up7.Try not to stop across from school8.Have children cross only where safe9.Walk WITH them when you park farther away10.Cooperate with adults who are directing traffic11.Watch for people in cross walks

Cellular Phone – Prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle. Motorist 18 and over may use a “hands-free device”.

Drivers under the age of 18 may NOT use a wireless telephone or hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle.

This law only applies to the person driving the vehicle

For more information visit www.chp.ca.gov

NEW LAWS EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2008

On January 1, 2008 a law went into effect which bans smoking cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products in vehicles when children

(17 years old and under) are present in the vehicle

This violation is punishable by a fine of up to $ 100.00

The Police

The quickest way to contact the police for serious accidents, crime, or injury is the emergency number 911 (nine-one-one). This is the main number for emergency medical and fire services as well. All other non-emergency inquiries, reports, and general office contacts should be made through the normal local contact number listed in the phone book.

The sign that you are being pulled over or stopped by the police is a red light shining at you from the windshield or roof of the police car behind or some sort of easily-understood hand signals from a uniformed officer on the side of the road. The police officer may also use a very loud PA speaker on the front of the car to tell you to pull over or to tell you what to do. Try to pull over where it's safe to do so.

If you are pulled over for any reason, stay in the car until the officer tells you what to do. It is a very good idea to keep your hands where he or she can see them, preferably on the steering wheel. Do not fumble around under the dash or between the seats - the officer might suspect that you're reaching for a gun.

If the officer gives you a ticket, you'll be asked to sign it there and then. Signing it really is not an admission of guilt, it is a promise for you to appear in court. If you do not sign the ticket at this point, the officer can haul you off to the local jail.

WeTip is a toll-free crime hotline to citizens, employees and students who have information about a crime and want to report it to authorities

without having to reveal their identity in any way.

No one will know who you are. Not us…Not ever!1(800)78-CRIME

Taking calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year