FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — As 2026 inches closer, the California Highway Patrol wants you to know about the new public safety laws going into effect in the new year.
Assembly Bill 289 will implement a Work Zone Speed Safety System pilot program with new speed detectors.
“A mobile radar or lidar to specific work zone areas on the highway,” says Hector Carias with the California Highway Patrol. “The Department of Transportation/Caltrans has been given the authority to post up those devices to monitor speed in those work zones.”
Also, along highways, the “Slow Down, Move Over” law is expanding under AB 390.
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“If there is a disabled motorist on the side of the road with flashing lights of some sort, motorists in the highway are required to move over or slow down,” Carias said.
The CHP says this law will help prevent accidents and enhance public safety, as will AB 1014, which allows the Department of Transportation to reduce highway speed limits by 5 mph.
“There will be changes in the signage that commuters or drivers will see on the roadway,” Carias said.
Drivers could also see a change in speed limits in school zones under AB 382.
“It’s looking to reduce that school zone speed limit from 25 to 20,” Carias said. “Now as of right now, that discretion is up to local municipalities.”
By 2031, the law will reduce all school zones to 20 mph.
Many students have adopted e-bikes in recent years, but those, too, will face new regulations.
AB 544 requires e-bikes to have a red rear-facing reflector or light at all hours of the day.
“Just to be more visible with the hopes of being safe,” Carias said.
Violators of these laws could be cited or required to take a safety course.
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