Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
More New Driving Laws for 2010: Moving Over & Towing
Photo by smi23le via Flickr
()
Photo by smi23le via Flickr
A slew of new laws are coming into effect in 2010, many of them relating to driving. Yesterday, we explored ones about drunk driving, TVs in vehicles and bicycles without seats. Today, let's take a look at two more: the Move Over law and towing.
The Move Over law, which is already law, but was set to expire in 2010, is now permanent. Basically, it gives California Highway Patrol officers some teeth to enforcing drivers who dangerously blow by emergency and Caltrans vehicles and tow trucks working on the freeway.
"Drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle or tow truck with its siren or emergency lights activated must proceed with caution and move into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle or tow truck.," explains The Auto Club of Southern California in an e-mail. "If such a move is not safe, practicable, or legal, the driver must slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing conditions."
Support for LAist comes from
Also, AB 14 could make it harder for anyone arrested for using a vehicle to commit or attempt to commit a crime of prostitution or illegal commercial dumping. Cities and counties will now be authorized to create a local ordinance allowing police to consider vehicles used for those purposes to be declared a public nuisance and impounded for up to 30 days f the person has at least one prior conviction for either of those crimes in the previous three years.
"AB 14 also requires vehicle-storage facilities to accept a bank credit or debit card or cash for payment of towing, storage, and related fees," notes the Auto Club. "Storage-facility operators who refuse to accept a credit or debit card or cash shall be civilly liable for four times the amount of the fees, not to exceed $500."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist