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An assortment of new traffic laws will take effect in 2021 that could change the way Californians travel local and state roadways.

The laws include measures to curb distracted driving, ensure emergency vehicles in action have proper space on local streets and to eliminate liabilities for anyone rescuing a child from a locked car.

Another measure, not directly tied to traffic, explores new ways to alert the public when a need to evacuate arises.

While some new laws begin Jan. 1, others won’t take effect until later in the year and some are still under development.

Beginning July 1, any handheld cell phone use caught more than once in a 36-month period will result in a point on your driving record. The assembly bill that was approved in October 2019 will be an extension of the law that would previously only result in a fine for handheld cell phone use, according to Officer Mike Lassig, spokesman for the California Highway Patrol’s Temecula area.

“I guess people didn’t mind paying a fine,” Lassig said. “Now with a point, hopefully that would make people focus on the roadway a little better.”

Beginning Jan. 1, a new law from the Assembly will exempt someone from either civil or criminal liability for trespassing or damaging a vehicle when rescuing from a vehicle a child six years old or younger at risk of heat, cold, lack of ventilation or other potential dangers.

Janette Fennell, president and founder of the national non-profit Kids and Cars, believes the new law is “fantastic” and will diminish fears of people who may not want to get involved in these scenarios. Kids and Cars works to eliminate vehicle-related risks to children and pets through avenues such as policy changes, public education and more.

“I think it is interesting that the law to protect (from liability when rescuing) animals came out before the law that protects children, but it’s still really important regardless,” Fennell said.

According to the law, individuals must determine the vehicle is locked, have a “good faith belief” that forcible entry is necessary, contact an emergency service, remain with the child in a safe location, use no more force than necessary to get the child out of the vehicle and turn the child over immediately to emergency responders.

Also taking effect New Year’s Day, the “Move Over, Slow Down” law already effective on freeways will expand to all local streets and highways. The law requires drivers to move over to another lane if possible or to slow down to a reasonable speed when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying emergency lights.

Officer Kevin Anderson, spokesman for the Fontana Police Department, said the new law won’t affect the agency’s patrol officers’ policies when conducting traffic enforcement, but welcomed any increased awareness to roadway safety efforts related to those working roadside, whether they be police officers or Caltrans workers.

“We always ask that if people see an officer on a traffic stop to give them space so we can interact with whoever is in that car and if we have to get someone out of their car to make sure they’re safe too,” Anderson said.

Also, a September 2020 state Senate bill will begin its developmental stages to authorize emergency vehicles to use a “Hi-Lo” warning sound. The sound will be different and distinct from that of a siren and will be used to notify the public of a need to evacuate an area in an emergency, such as a wildfire, according to Officer Ian Hoey of the CHP’s Sacramento office.

Hoey said that the exact use and standards of the siren are still being sorted out by the CHP. He said while it’s likely too early to give definitive answers on its use, the siren will likely be used by multiple types of agencies, from law enforcement to fire departments.

“It’s going to be a different sound,” Hoey said. “It will be different so that you know this isn’t an ambulance or a patrol car.”