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.<\/p>\n
Assembly Bill 289 will implement a Work Zone Speed Safety System pilot program with new speed detectors.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Also, along highways, the “Slow Down, Move Over” law is expanding under AB 390.<\/p>\n
RELATED: New California laws going into effect in 2026 impact tortillas, streaming services and more<\/a><\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “There will be changes in the signage that commuters or drivers will see on the roadway,” Carias said.<\/p>\n Drivers could also see a change in speed limits in school zones under AB 382.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n By 2031, the law will reduce all school zones to 20 mph.<\/p>\n Many students have adopted e-bikes in recent years, but those, too, will face new regulations.<\/p>\n AB 544 requires e-bikes to have a red rear-facing reflector or light at all hours of the day.<\/p>\n “Just to be more visible with the hopes of being safe,” Carias said.<\/p>\n Violators of these laws could be cited or required to take a safety course.<\/p>\n For news and weather updates, follow Tiffany Olin on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2025 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n