Los Angeles, California is one of the most famous cities on the planet. It plays home to Hollywood and a range of productions studios and venues. Not only is this city the epicenter of the entertainment industry, it’s also home to millions of people that work in a variety of different industries. Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States – it sits alongside some of the most beautiful coastlines that the country has to offer.

If you live in Los Angeles full time, you might be looking for a new insurance policy for your vehicle. There aren’t many great public transport options in Los Angeles, so if you live in the city you probably own a vehicle. We help our readers link up with the top auto insurance companies in the area with the car insurance cost calculator above. This article will also help you find out key information that can improve your ability to drive safely on road in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles: Driving Conditions in the City

If you’ve been to Los Angeles before, you probably already know how terrible the traffic is. Los Angeles is considered one of the worst cities in the world for congestion. You need to check traffic reports and warnings before you venture out into this extremely gridlocked city.

While traffic is terrible, there are several other hazards in the region as well. First of all, Los Angeles is known for crazy drivers – driving in the city is sometimes hard to contend with. In addition, natural disasters, such as earthquakes and wildfires, can occur in the area. While there’s not much you can do to combat this risk, you should still be aware of the potential issues that might arise.

Driving Safely in Los Angeles, California

As mentioned previously, there’s not much you can do to combat some of the potential road hazards in Los Angeles. But what you can do is stay aware of local road laws – this can help prevent large fines or potential punishments from coming your way. If you want to be as responsible of a driver as possible, you should always be aware of the rules in your local area. Different states and cities have entirely different laws – don’t get comfortable through ignorance.

Below are the top local laws for drivers in the Los Angeles area – keep them in mind next time you’re on the road!

Phone/Handheld Laws in Los Angeles

California is at the forefront of preventing distracted driving. Distracted driving has become such a large issue in our country, but many local politicians are doing little to stop it. In California, it is now completely illegal to use your phone for any purpose while driving. This includes texting, reading, and speaking with your hand on your phone. You can use the phone if it is hands-free mode – you should set this up with your vehicle if possible.

While this law may sound annoying, it’s in place to help save lives and keep you safe on the roads. Make sure to obey it! Not doing so will result in a substantial fine from a law enforcement officer.

Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws in Los Angeles

California also has strict seatbelt laws – the local government in the state of California doesn’t play around. All drivers and passengers in the state of California have to wear a seat belt. Not doing so will result in a large fine. You are also responsible for minors in your vehicle that are not bucked up – make sure to check that everyone in your car is fastened by a seat belt before you begin your journey.

The rules are a bit different if you have children as passengers. We’ll explore the car seat laws in detail below:

• Children Under Three – Secured in a child’s safety seat in the rear of your vehicle.
• Children Over Three and Under Eight – Seated in an appropriate booster seat for their size, you can find more information about appropriate seats on the DMV website.

Helmet Laws in Los Angeles

Just like with distracted driving laws, helmet laws in California are also very strict. This is also another initiative to help save lives. Studies have shown that helmets save lives during accidents. In California, everyone has to wear a helmet while on a motorcycle – it doesn’t matter how old you are or how experienced you are, you will have to wear a helmet. This applies to both passengers and drivers. If you don’t wear one, it will be pretty evident to police – you may face a large fine if you are caught.

Alcohol and Drug Laws (Driving)

For those over the age of 21, the BAC is .08 – the same as most other areas of the United States. If you are underage, the limit is zero – there is a no tolerance policy in the state of California, which means you should never drink and drive as a minor. Also, the limit is reduced to .04 for minors.

If you do get caught driving over the limit, there are a range of different punishments on offer. These punishments include up to six months of license suspension, $1,000 in fines, your vehicle becoming impounded, up to six months in jail, and more. Make sure to avoid intoxicated driving at all costs – it’s both dangerous and financially reckless. Car insurance with a DUI is going to be more costly too which is something people tend to forget.

Los Angeles Statistics

In the state of California, there’s plenty to worry about on the roads. But you also need to factor in crime when you’re driving in Los Angeles. In California alone, there were over 175,000 auto thefts in 2017. A large portion of these thefts occurred in California. The most common stolen vehicles were Honda Civics and Honda Accords – if you drive one of these cars, make sure to secure it overnight! A comprehensive insurance policy can help protect you against some of the costs associated with auto theft.

Verdict

Don’t let laziness cost you money in finding the cheapest car insurance in California. Upgrading to a better insurance policy or at least going online to compare auto insurance rates can help you save money now and in the future. Check out some of the great insurers we partner with if you want to find some of the best policies in the Los Angeles area!