As 2020 comes to a close, the California Highway Patrol wants to highlight some notable changes to existing traffic safety laws for 2021. Officer Jason Bice, from the Grass Valley Office, says one, taking effect on New Year’s Day, on Friday, extends the provisions of the “Move Over, Slow Down” law currently in place only on freeways…

Another notable change involves the handheld cellphone law, although it doesn’t take effect until July first. Bice says violators currently only face escalating fines. But the amendment will mean adding a point to your driving record, for a second violation within 36 months of the first conviction…

Drivers who are 18 and younger still can’t use any phone device, even if it’s equipped with hands-free technology. According to Triple-A, texting while driving increases the odds of a crash by two to eight times. Talking on a phone, even if it’s hands-free, increases the odds by four times. 10-percent of all fatal crashes in California are caused by any kind of distracted driving.