SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - New public safety laws approved during the 2025 legislative session will take effect Jan. 1, the California Highway Patrol announced in a Dec. 26 news release. The changes address school zone and highway speed limits, electric-powered bicycles and motorcycles, vehicle storage and crime prevention.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the update aims to inform drivers, promote safer decision-making and improve roadway safety as transportation technologies continue to evolve.

Several of the new laws focus on pedestrian and traffic safety, particularly speed limits.

Assembly Bill 382 allows local authorities to lower school zone speed limits from 25 to 20 miles per hour through Jan. 1, 2031. After that date, 20 miles per hour will become the standard in school zones where signs are posted.

Another traffic safety measure, Assembly Bill 1014, authorizes the Department of Transportation to reduce highway speed limits by five miles per hour and requires warning citations during the first 30 days after a reduction.

Assembly Bill 390 expands California’s “slow down and move over” law to include highway maintenance vehicles and any stationary vehicle using flashing hazard lights, cones or flares. Drivers must change lanes when possible or slow to a safe speed when approaching such vehicles.

Assembly Bill 289 establishes the State Highway Work Zone Speed Safety Program, authorizing a pilot program that uses radar or laser systems to detect speeding in work zones. The system will photograph license plates and issue citations to registered owners, with procedures for review and appeal.

Several new laws address electric bicycles and electric motorcycles. Assembly Bill 544 requires electric bicycles to have a red reflector or a solid or flashing red rear light with a built-in reflector during all hours of operation. The bill also allows the California Highway Patrol’s online electric bicycle safety and training program to satisfy safety course requirements for minors cited for helmet violations.

Senate Bill 586 defines an off-highway electric motorcycle, known as an eMoto, as a vehicle designed primarily for off-highway use that is powered by an electric motor, has handlebars, a straddle seat and two wheels and does not have pedals. The bill classifies eMotos as off-highway motor vehicles, subjecting them to existing regulations including helmet requirements and DMV-issued identification plates.

Vehicle storage and removal provisions are addressed in Assembly Bill 875. The law allows officers to impound a vehicle for at least 48 hours if it has fewer than four wheels, does not meet the definition of an electric bicycle, can exceed 20 miles per hour and is operated by an unlicensed driver. It also applies to class 3 electric bicycles operated by riders under 16. A safety course may be required before release when a child is involved.

The California Highway Patrol also highlighted laws approved during the 2024 legislative session that take effect this year.

Beginning Jan. 1, Senate Bill 1271 strengthens safety standards for electric bicycles, powered mobility devices and lithium-ion batteries. The law requires testing by accredited laboratories, compliance labeling and prohibits the sale or lease of noncompliant devices. Starting Jan. 1, 2028, renting noncompliant devices will also be prohibited.

Self-driving cars, autonomous vehicles (Avs), oversight expands under Assembly Bill 1777. Once Department of Motor Vehicles regulations are adopted, officers may issue notices of autonomous vehicle noncompliance to manufacturers for traffic violations. Beginning July 1, self-driving cars operating without a human driver must also include two-way communication devices for first responders.

Crime prevention measures include Assembly Bill 486, which makes it a misdemeanor to possess key programming devices, key duplicating devices or signal extenders with intent to commit burglary. Penalties include up to six months in county jail, a $1,000 fine or both.