This week’s question comes from Terry C. from San Francisco “is it true that somebody hacked into a regular car and took over control from the driver. Who is responsible if that happens and someone is injured or killed?”
CHP Reviewing Pursuit Policy
According to a recent San Jose Mercury Article, the California Highway Patrol is considering reviewing its police pursuit policy. In the last few months, crash after crash involving the California Highway Patrol has turned public sentiment against the current CHP high speed chase policy. The latest incident occurred this morning, November 4th, when a car fleeing from the CHP in East Oakland collided with another vehicle. The pursuit started on Interstate 580 near 150th Avenue in San Leandro. The fleeing suspect exited the freeway during the chase and the pursuit continued through city streets in East Oakland until the suspect crashed into another vehicle at 106th Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard, killing both drivers.
California Cities Debate Traffic Accident Fees
Californians are about to have a new cost added to their embrace of car loving lifestyles: a “first responder/accident responder” fee that would charge motorists responsible for car accidents the cost to the Fire Department for cleaning up the wreckage. San Francisco is the first major city in California to pass such a fee, and the SFFD expects to begin collecting on it within the next week. The fee would charge motorists up to $500 for cleanup associated with a crash and is expected to raise up to $626,000 a year. Meanwhile, other cities around the state including Sacramento, Modesto, and Fresno are all considering passing similar fees.
Personal Car Sharing: Revenue Stream or Liability Nightmare?
A new bill signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger last week and taking effect January 1st will permit Californians to share their personal cars in carsharing pools without risking the loss of their personal auto insurance coverage. The new law aims to make clear that personal vehicle sharing does not constitute a commercial use of the vehicle. The law also aims to make sure that the individual car owner is not held liable for losses that arise when the vehicle is used for personal vehicle sharing.