LOS ANGELES - Several new traffic laws have gone into effect in California, including those involving safe space for Caltrans or emergency vehicles and rescuing children from hot cars.

Assembly Bill 2285, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law in September, establishes potential fines for motorists who do not slow down and, whenever possible, change lanes when encountering a Caltrans vehicle, tow truck or any emergency vehicle with lights flashing on a highway.

Previously, penalties were only imposed when violators failed to take precautions and make safe space for fire and law enforcement vehicles. The new law clarifies that Caltrans equipment and tow trucks conducting operations on a highway be given the same courtesy.

However, AB 2285 does not specify that motorists must move over if there might be conflicts with other drivers, or if conditions don't allow for it. But they must slow down. Otherwise, CHP officers could write them a $50 ticket.

Also starting with the New Year, AB 2717, signed into law by the governor at the end of September, amends existing law concerning leaving children under the age of 6 unattended in vehicles.

Prior to Jan. 1, state law mandated criminal penalties, including potential felony charges, for leaving children unsupervised. It also exempted good Samaritans from civil and criminal liability if they forcibly enter a vehicle to rescue a stranded animal expiring from extreme heat or cold. However, there haven't been exemptions for breaking into a vehicle to save a child.

AB 2717 changed that, specifically exempting a good Samaritan who rescues an endangered child from a locked vehicle from civil and criminal liability, "if the property damage or trespass occurs while the person is rescuing a child 6 years of age or younger,'' according to the legislation.

A third new law, AB 47, which was signed into law in 2019 and doesn't take effect until July 1, allows the California Department of Motor Vehicles to add a penalty point to a motorist's driving record if he or she receives two tickets in a 36-month span for talking on a mobile phone without a hands-free device.

Texting while driving also applies under the statute.

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Meanwhile, in Brazil ... 🙈

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LA County Sheriffs: Please help slow the spread of covid!

The LA County Sheriff Department’s Superspreader Task Force shut down at least five New Year's Eve parties across the county, resulting in at least 900 people being detained, 90 arrests and/or citations, and the recovery of at least six guns. The Malibu party was held at a large, upscale home on Moonrise Dr. after it had been promoted on Instagram. LASD showed up outside the home in the middle of the party, warning the crowd on a loudspeaker that "this is the LA County Sheriff’s Department. This superspreader party is now over. Anybody who refuses to leave will be subject to arrest." Hundreds of people were ordered to leave the party immediately, those who refused were cited. There were at least two arrests, and LASD says two guns were recovered.

Canada -- Happening now - anti-lockdown demonstration in downtown Toronto.

Spain -- Catalan police began clearing an industrial building hosting an illegal rave in Llinars del Valles near Barcelona on Saturday.

NEW YORK CITY, NY – A group of protesters amassed outside of the St. Patrick’s Cathedral during the early morning hours of New Year’s Day, according to reports, which a vandal or vandals among the group were said to have defaced the cathedral’s facade with spray paint. Officers were said to have responded to the area where a group of protesters had began blocking traffic along 51st Street and Fifth Avenue around 1:30 a.m. on January 1st. An estimated 150 people had gathered in the area, seemingly spouting anti-police sentiments by the time officers had arrived. As to what the exact impetus to this protest was is unclear, nor is it clear if there was any formal steps taken to organize said display. Video that was captured during some of the antics then-ongoing showcased a group of people yelling at police – with some slapping the hood of a police car while expressing disdain toward arriving officers. (Read more.)

Meanwhile, in Saint Paul, MN. "Stop The Steal" Anti-COVID lockdown protest outside Governor Walz's house.

⚠️ Las Vegas Metropolitan police department: Westbound traffic on Kyle Canyon Rd (state route 157) is being diverted northbound at Deer Creek Hwy (state route 158) junction due to overcrowding of vehicles in Kyle Canyon.

Anti Coronavirus vaccines activists in Israel this weekend

Taiwan -- A group of Trump supporters marched through Taipei city centre on Saturday, as tensions between China and the US continued to rise.

Everything is back to normal in China 😝

It’s sad people in Venezuela have to live with giant rats running all over the place....Oh wait, my bad....This is good old Seattle Washington 😉

After 59 days on a ventilator and 40 days in an induced coma, this COVID-19 patient returned home on New Year's Eve.