The Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) offers roadside services during their hours of operation, that include the following:

• One gallon of gas

• Jump start your vehicle

• Change a flat tire

• Refill the radiator and tape leaking hoses

• Report collisions to CHP

If FSP can’t start your vehicle, they will tow it, free of charge, to  an approved CHP location but  not to your residence.

The FSP will not tow motorcycles.

If your vehicle becomes disabled on a railroad track crossing while the lights are flashing and the train is approaching, you should leave the vehicle immediately because you may only have 20 seconds to escape. Run in a 45 degree angle away from the tracks and in the direction that the train is coming from. Once out of danger dial 911 for help.

If your vehicle breaks down on a railroad track crossing when the warning lights are not flashing and you don’t see a train approaching, you should leave your vehicle and call the Emergency Notification System (ENS). Their number is located on the metal control box or on the railroad crossing posts. You should inform them that your vehicle is on the tracks and give your location (the crossing number and the name of the road that intersects the track). Then call 911.

To drive safely you need to be able to judge distances, have good peripheral vision, see clearly during the night and not be troubled by the glare of headlights.

The DMV recommends checking your eyes every year or two.

Deaf people can drive safely by relying more on their sense of sight to compensate for the loss of hearing.

Drowsy driving is a very common problem that is usually caused by not sleeping enough hours but can also be caused by alcohol, drugs and medication use.

Drowsy driving slows your reaction time if you have to steer out of the way or brake suddenly. It also affects your judgment and ability to make good decisions while driving.

Rolling down your car window does not prevent drowsiness.

Signs that identify drowsy drivers include:

• Yawning or rubbing the eyes

• Falling asleep for a split second

• Blurry vision

• Inconsistent speed

• Changing lanes unpredictably

• Crossing the center line

• Erratic braking

• Missing a turn or an exit

• Slow to react

If you take medications and drive, it is your responsibility to know if they affect your driving ability.

Your personality may negatively affect your driving abilities so don’t let your emotions interfere with your driving.

Medical doctors must report, to the local health department, any medical condition that causes a lapse of consciousness or a noticeable reduction of alertness to external stimuli. Examples of such conditions include dementia, epilepsy and a brain tumor.

A fractured rib does not cause a lapse of consciousness.

Although NOT required by law, your physician may report to the DMV any other medical condition that he or she believes may affect your driving ability.

Drivers 70 years and older must renew their driver license in person and to take both a vision and a written test. The vision test can be done by an outside optometrist or ophthalmologist within 6 months before the license expiration date.

The DMV accepts requests from family members and others to conduct unsafe driver investigations for senior drivers over 70 years and older.

Drivers 70 years or older are NOT REQUIRED to perform a vision test every year. The DMV RECOMMENDS that drivers of ALL AGE GROUPS perform a vision test every year or two.

The Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision that it is unconstitutional for a state to make it a separate crime to refuse a blood test after a DUI arrest.

In 2019, California removed the criminal implications for refusing to submit to a blood test after being arrested for driving while intoxicated. In California you can refuse to submit to a blood, breath or urine test, but there are additional penalties if you do so. For example, longer driver license suspensions and revocations.

Many medications cause side effects that impair your driving ability. These side effects include drowsiness, dizziness and poor coordination.

The following are common medications that may impair your driving ability:

Cold medicines (Mucinex for example), Allergy and hay fever medication (Benadryl) and anti-anxiety medications to calm the nerves (Xanax, Valium).

Antibiotics usually do not impair your driving ability.

Make sure you read the label and know the effects of any medication you use.

California law is very strict about carrying alcoholic drinks (liquor, beer, wine,…) inside a vehicle.

It is especially against the law to carry open alcoholic drinks in the glove compartment.

If you are under 21 years old, you CAN NOT CARRY ANY alcoholic container, whether sealed, full or open, inside a vehicle UNLESS you are accompanied by a parent or other person as stated by the law and the container is sealed, full and unopened.

The law against carrying alcohol in a vehicle does not apply to non driving passengers, over 21 years old, in a bus, taxi, camper or motor home.

For all age groups, it is illegal to carry an open container of cannabis or any cannabis product when operating a motor vehicle.

If you are under 21 years old and are caught with an alcoholic drink in your vehicle, the vehicle may be impounded for up to 30 days, the court may fine you up to $1000 and either suspend your driving privilege for 1 year or if you are not already licensed, delay the issuance of your first driver license by up to 1 year.

If you are working for someone with an off-site liquor license, you are allowed to carry alcoholic drinks in closed containers while working.

If you are under 21 years old and are convicted of either driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.01% (or higher) or of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs and/or alcohol, your driving privilege will be revoked for 1 year. On the first offense you will also be required to complete a licensed DUI counceling and educational program.

If you are 21 years or older it is illegal to drive a vehicle when your blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or higher.

For drivers of vehicles requiring a commercial drivers license (CDL), the blood alcohol concentration limit is 0.04%.

The penalties for driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol involve a fine, jail time, delay, suspension or revocation of your drivers license and completion of an education and counceling DUI program.

Prior convictions for DUIs, even those while operating other vessels (for example jet skies, aquaplane, water skies) increase the severity of the penalties.