Starting January 1, parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk will result in a traffic violation ticket. Additionally, the minimum liability coverage for auto insurance will double. Below are key changes to traffic laws that will impact Korean-American drivers in the new year.

■ No Parking Near Crosswalks
Assembly Bill 413 (AB 413), also known as the “Daylighting” law, prohibits parking within 20 feet of crosswalks to enhance pedestrian safety. As of the new year, vehicles cannot be parked within 20 feet—roughly the length of a large SUV—of a crosswalk, even if there is no red curb indicating a no-parking zone. Violators will receive a $40 fine.

Cities are currently in the process of marking no-parking zones with red paint but have not yet completed the work. Drivers are advised to exercise caution in the meantime. State transportation authorities expect the new enforcement to significantly reduce traffic accidents caused by obstructed visibility between drivers and pedestrians, including children.

■ Enhanced Protections for Vehicle Theft Victims
A new law, Senate Bill 905 (SB 905), will close a loophole in California’s penal code to better protect vehicle theft victims.

Under current law, vehicle burglary is defined as entering a locked vehicle with the intent to commit a crime. This definition often makes it difficult to charge theft if only the vehicle’s windows were broken without evidence of a locked door. Victims were also required to testify in court.

With SB 905, vehicle owners and prosecutors will only need to prove “forcible entry” rather than demonstrating that the car was locked at the time of the break-in.

■ Driver’s Licenses Not Required for Non-Driving Jobs
Starting in the new year, employers will no longer be allowed to require valid driver’s licenses for jobs that do not involve driving as an essential duty. Requiring a license for such roles could be considered employment discrimination.

■ Increased Minimum Liability Coverage for Auto Insurance
Senate Bill 1107 (SB 1107), which takes effect on January 1, 2025, will double the minimum auto insurance liability limits to provide greater compensation for victims of traffic accidents.

The minimum coverage for bodily injury or death per person will increase from $15,000 to $30,000, while the minimum per accident will rise from $30,000 to $60,000. Additionally, the minimum property damage coverage will triple, from $5,000 to $15,000.

While these changes aim to provide more financial protection for accident victims, they are also expected to lead to higher auto insurance premiums.

<Sehee Roh>