Several new driving laws went into effect Jan. 1. One bans new drivers under the age of 18 from carrying passengers under 20 for the first year of the new driver’s license; previously it was six months. Also, they are prohibited from driving between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.; before they could not drive after midnight. These new laws also apply to teens who already had their licenses before Jan. 1.
Another change helps police officers in their pursuits by increasing the penalties for motorists who do not stop when so directed. Beginning Jan. 1, the penalty for intentionally evading or fleeing a peace officer, a misdemeanor, has increased from six months in County Jail to up to one year. If in fleeing, a person causes serious bodily injury or death, it is a felony, and the penalty is increased from a maximum of five years in state prison to 10 years.
Another new law increases the penalty for drag racing that results in bodily injury, increasing jail time from 24 hours-90 days to 30 days-six months. If serious injury results, the new law mandates 30 days to one year in County Jail or state prison.
Also beginning Jan. 1, the manufacturers of “pocket bikes” must affix a sticker disclosing that operation is prohibited on a highway, sidewalk, roadway, bikeway, equestrian trail, hiking trail or public lands open to off-highway motor vehicle use. If someone operates a pocket bike on one of these locations, the bike will be subject to seizure.
Community Briefs: Tango and Jazz at City Center | Alamo and Danville road closuresApril 3, 2026 9:31 am
