Implementation of California’s New ‘Daylighting’ Law Starts January 1

LOS ANGELES—A comprehensive new legislation aimed at enhancing safety and preventing accidents by improving visibility at intersections will be enacted in Los Angeles and throughout California on January 1.

The newly established “daylighting” law, Assembly Bill 413, bans parking within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, aiming to boost safety by enhancing intersection visibility.

This law is applicable to all intersections statewide, irrespective of whether there are red curbs or no-parking signs in place.

The goal of this legislation is to expand drivers’ sightlines, making it easier to spot pedestrians, skateboarders, and other road users at intersections.

By augmenting what traffic experts refer to as “daylight” visibility, this law is anticipated to decrease the number of accidents and save lives.

During the initial 60 days of enforcement, police will issue warnings.

Starting on March 1, 2025, drivers who violate this regulation will incur a $65 fine, in addition to a $12.50 state-mandated administrative fee, reaching a total of $77.50.

The average size of vehicles in the United States is approximately 14 feet long, meaning the new law necessitates about one and a half car lengths of clearance at intersections.

Research indicates that improved visibility at crosswalks can significantly decrease incidents involving pedestrians.

Currently, 43 states have enacted similar daylighting laws, most of which also ban parking within 20 feet of intersections.