by Mike Black, KRCTV.com
The California Department of Motor Vehicles and California Highway Patrol are reminding the public of the new laws and changes in current laws that are going into effect in 2016 and 2017.
There will be a new message on the electronic boards along the freeway “Silver Alert.” The alert, which starts in 2016, pertains to seniors or individuals with disabilities who go missing in a car.
According to the California Highway Patrol, they will now be able to broadcast the information to the public using the changeable signs. While this may be a small change, officers said it will make a big difference.
Additionally, there will also be a new “Yellow Alert” sign on those same message boards come January to notify drivers of hit-and-run crashes that result in death or serious injury.
Furthermore, there will be new laws regarding hoverboards, which have already garnered a lot of attention this holiday season.
Beginning January 2016, you will only be able to ride hoverboard on roadways with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less, or on designated bikeways.
You must also be at least 16-years-old to ride a hoverboard and wear a helmet at all times. The hoverboard must be equipped with reflectors and lights if you are riding at night.
Child safety seats will also be affected by the new laws.
According to CHP, all children will be required to sit in a rear-facing car seat until they are two-years-old. This law will be enforced in January 2017 to accommodate manufacturers in making car seats suitable for bigger children.