New California Traffic Laws Drivers Should Know for 2026
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers | December 25, 2025 | California Law
California regularly updates its traffic laws to enhance roadway safety and adapt to emerging technologies. Learning about recent updates in traffic laws can help you avoid fines and protect your rights if you’re ever involved in an accident.
Read on for more information, and get in touch with a car accident lawyer for a free consultation if you’ve been injured in a crash.
1. Stricter Rules for Distracted Driving
California has already banned texting and holding a phone while driving. However, the penalties increased a few years ago. Under the relatively new legislation, a point can now be assessed against your driver’s license for this form of distracted driving.
The goal is to deter drivers from using handheld devices altogether and encourage hands-free technology. Distracted driving continues to cause thousands of crashes across the state each year, and these new penalties are designed to reduce those numbers.
2. Updated Rules for Autonomous and Electric Vehicles
California remains a leader in autonomous vehicle innovation, but new regulations are being introduced to improve accountability and safety.
One of these regulations is that companies testing self-driving cars must now provide quarterly safety reports to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
This law aims to strike a balance between innovation and public safety. It’s also meant to clarify legal responsibility when advanced technology contributes to a collision.
3. Revised Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Measures
In an effort to protect cyclists and pedestrians, California’s “Three Feet for Safety Act” was expanded just a few years back. Drivers are now required to:
- Change lanes when passing a cyclist if it is safe to do so
- Create more space between their vehicles and any bicycles on the roadway
The state continues to prioritize vulnerable road users, and these updates reinforce a shared-responsibility model among all roadway participants.
4. Tougher Penalties for Street Racing and “Sideshow” Activity
Street takeovers, sideshows, and illegal drag racing have become increasingly dangerous in California cities. AB 2087 recently expanded the definition of “sideshow activity” to make it clear that a sideshow and a street takeover are the same type of event.
Further, AB 2186 gives law enforcement the authority to arrest and detain people who engage in an “exhibition of speed” in a parking garage. Vehicles may now also be impounded under these circumstances.
5. New Guidelines for Emergency Lane Safety
California drivers are already required to move over for stopped emergency vehicles, but a 2026 amendment extends this rule to include tow trucks, Caltrans vehicles, and roadside assistance crews.
Failure to move over could result in fines in addition to points on your record. This change aims to reduce roadside injuries and fatalities among first responders and maintenance workers.
Staying Informed and Driving Responsibly in the State of California
These new traffic laws highlight California’s focus on reducing preventable accidents and holding drivers accountable for unsafe behavior. Staying informed about legal changes doesn’t just help you avoid tickets; it also makes you a safer driver and protects others on the road.
Contact Mission Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation With a San Diego Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been in an accident, contact Mission Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with one of our San Diego car accident lawyers. We can advise you of your rights and options as this area of the law continues to develop.
f you’ve been injured in San Diego or Chula Vista, please call Mission Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer or contact us online.
We proudly serve San Diego County and throughout California.
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – San Diego Office
2515 Camino del Rio S Suite 350, San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 777-5555
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – Chula Vista Office
690 Otay Lakes Rd #130, Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 722-3032
We also serve the state of Texas. For legal assistance, contact our personal injury law office in El Paso today.
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – El Paso Office
201 E Main Suite 106, El Paso, Texas 79901
(915) 591-1000
