CA DUI and Traffic Laws Review

These flashcards cover key concepts and regulations related to DUI, traffic laws, and safe driving practices based on the lecture notes.

What is the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit for drivers aged 21 and over in California?

0.08% or higher.

What BAC is illegal for drivers under 21 years old?

0.01% or higher.

What are possible consequences of a DUI?

Arrest, fines, jail time, license suspension or revocation, DUI education program, increased insurance costs.

What happens if you refuse a chemical test in California?

Automatic license suspension and increased penalties.

What constitutes reckless driving?

Driving with willful or wanton disregard for safety.

What may result from reckless driving?

Heavy fines, license suspension, and possible jail time.

What is required after a hit-and-run involving property damage?

You must stop and leave contact information.

What are the consequences for failing to stop after a hit-and-run?

Fines and license suspension.

What can happen if you leave the scene of an accident involving injury or death?

You may face jail or prison time and license revocation.

What are the implications of speeding and aggressive driving?

Increased collision severity and legal penalties.

What can repeated traffic violations lead to?

Points on your license and possible suspension.

What is illegal to drive with?

Suspended, revoked, or expired license.

What are the consequences of driving without a valid license?

Fines, vehicle impoundment, and possible arrest.

What does California law require regarding insurance?

Financial responsibility.

What are the consequences of driving without insurance in California?

Fines, suspension, and vehicle impoundment.

Who must be obeyed on the road?

Law enforcement officers, flaggers, and emergency personnel.

What happens if you fail to obey law enforcement instructions?

Fines, arrest, and license consequences.

What behaviors escalate penalties for traffic violations?

DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, speed contests, and evading law enforcement.

Who must wear seat belts in a vehicle?

Driver and all passengers aged 16 and over.

What safety measures are required for children under 2 years old in vehicles?

Must ride in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh 40+ lbs or are 40+ inches tall.

What are the restrictions for children under 8 years old regarding car seats?

Must be secured in a car seat or booster; cannot ride in the front seat unless rear seats are occupied.

What is the law regarding handheld cell phone use while driving?

It is illegal; hands-free use is allowed.

What is true about cell phone use for drivers under 18?

No cell phone use at all while driving, even hands-free.

What should you do if your vehicle begins to skid?

Ease off the accelerator, steer in the direction you want the front to go, and do not slam brakes.

When should you increase your following distance?

When driving at night, in rain or fog, following motorcycles, towing a trailer, or driving behind large vehicles.

What should you do in the event of a tire blowout?

Grip steering wheel firmly, ease off accelerator, and do not brake suddenly.

What should be done in case of brake failure?

Pump brakes, use parking brake gradually, shift to lower gear if possible.

What is the proper response to a head-on collision risk?

Slow down, move to the right, sound horn, and do not swerve sharply unless unavoidable.

What are some weather-specific driving rules?

Use low-beam headlights in fog, reduce speed on wet roads, use chains when required.

What should you do at railroad crossings?

Never stop closer than 15 feet from the nearest rail and exit immediately if vehicles stall on tracks.

How should you behave around animals on the road?

Slow down for animals; do not swerve dangerously to avoid small animals.

What are the laws about obeying law enforcement instructions?

Obey law enforcement officers even if signs or signals say otherwise.

What does a solid red traffic light indicate?

Full stop; right turn allowed after stop unless posted otherwise.

What does a flashing red light signal?

Treat as a stop sign.

What is indicated by a solid yellow traffic light?

Warning; stop if safe.

What does a green light mean?

Proceed only if the intersection is clear.

What does a green arrow indicate?

Protected turn only.

What should you do when pedestrian signals show WALK?

Pedestrians may cross.

What is the meaning of the solid DON’T WALK signal?

Do not cross.

What is the rule about pedestrians when signals change mid-crossing?

Pedestrians always retain right-of-way.

What does an octagon shape road sign mean?

STOP.

What does a triangle shape road sign signify?

YIELD.

What does a diamond shape road sign indicate?

Warning.

What does a rectangle shape road sign represent?

Regulatory.

What does a five-sided shape road sign indicate?

School zone.

What does a red circle with a slash mean?

Prohibited action.

When is the first vehicle at an intersection given the right-of-way?

First vehicle at the intersection goes first.

What should you do if two vehicles arrive simultaneously at an intersection?

Yield to the vehicle on your right.

Who always has the right-of-way?

Pedestrians.

What must vehicles turning left do regarding oncoming traffic?

Yield to oncoming traffic.

What must vehicles entering traffic do?

Yield to traffic already in the lane.

What is the rule for T-intersections?

Through traffic has right-of-way.

What is the basic speed law?

Never drive faster than conditions allow, regardless of posted speed.

What are common speed limits in residential districts?

25 mph.

What should be done when driving in school zones?

Maintain 25 mph when children are present.

When should you reduce speed?

For weather, traffic congestion, poor visibility, and road conditions.

What do single solid yellow lines indicate?

No passing.

What do double solid yellow lines signify?

No crossing except for permitted left turns.

What do broken yellow lines mean?

Passing allowed when safe.

What do single solid white lines discourage?

Lane changes.

What do double solid white lines indicate?

Never cross.

What do broken white lines allow?

Lane change permitted.

What is the rule regarding HOV lanes?

Enter and exit only at designated openings.

What are the rules for right turns?

Signal 100 feet before turning, stop behind limit line.

What is the rule concerning U-turns?

Allowed in residential areas if no vehicles are within 200 feet.

What are the restrictions for passing near intersections?

Do not pass within 100 feet of intersections, bridges, tunnels, or railroad crossings.

What is the appropriate following distance?

Maintain 3 seconds of following distance.

What should you avoid while passing?

Never drive off the road to pass.

What should you look for with colored curbs?

White: Passenger pickup only; Green: Limited time; Yellow: Loading only; Red: No stopping; Blue: Disabled parking only.

What constitutes illegal parking?

Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, in crosswalks, in front of driveways, on bridges, or double parking.

What is the protocol for parking on hills?

Downhill with curb: wheels toward curb; uphill with curb: wheels away from curb.

What should you do for emergency vehicles?

Yield to emergency vehicles with sirens or flashing lights by pulling to the right and stopping.

What should drivers do regarding school buses with flashing red lights?

Stop for school buses with flashing red lights and do not pass.

What is the legal BAC limit?

0.08 percent.

What can impair driving besides alcohol?

Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.

How long after sunset must headlights be used?

30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

When should you dim high beams?

Within 500 feet of oncoming traffic and 300 feet when following another vehicle.

What should you do at a railroad crossing?

Look, listen, and slow down.

What action should you take when railroad signals activate?

Stop when signals activate.

What is prohibited at railroad tracks?

Never stop on tracks and never try to beat a train.