In 2025, California enacted sweeping changes to its traffic laws—changes that impact every driver, cyclist, and pedestrian across the state. These updates are part of a broader effort to improve public safety, modernize enforcement methods, and reduce systemic inequities.
From stricter penalties for distracted driving to a shift in how fines are calculated, these laws are now active and enforceable. Here’s what you need to know about California’s latest traffic law changes in 2025.
What Happens If You Use a Cell Phone While Driving in California in 2025?
Starting July 1, 2025, California is implementing stricter penalties for repeat offenders caught using a phone while driving. Under the new law, a second cell phone violation within 36 months will add one point to your driving record.
Why it matters: Traffic violations that accumulate points on your record can result in higher insurance premiums and eventual license suspension. This new rule reinforces California’s hands-free law and reflects the state’s growing concern over distracted driving-related crashes.
Are Speed Cameras Being Used in California?
California is rolling out automated speed enforcement cameras as part of a statewide pilot program. These will be operational in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland.
Key facts:
- Citations will be issued to the registered owner, not the driver.
- Cameras are being deployed in high-risk traffic zones to reduce speed-related accidents.
This change marks a major shift in how speeding is enforced and could result in more citations being issued without the need for a live traffic stop. While convenient for enforcement agencies, it raises important legal questions regarding due process and driver accountability. If you’ve received a citation you believe was wrongly issued, Gosuits can help you challenge it.
How Are Speeding Fines Calculated in California Now?
Another landmark reform: California will now offer income-based fines for certain traffic violations. This means lower-income drivers may qualify for reduced penalties under the new system.
This approach seeks to address economic disparities in how fines affect different communities. A flat-rate speeding ticket can devastate a low-income household while being a minor inconvenience for someone wealthier. The sliding scale system recognizes that and adjusts accordingly.
If you’re unsure whether your financial circumstances qualify for reduced fines or if you’ve been over-penalized despite qualifying, a California car accident attorney can review the situation and act quickly.
What Are the New Crosswalk Laws for Pedestrians and Cyclists in California?
In 2025, crosswalk and pedestrian right-of-way rules have been strengthened. Drivers are now explicitly required to yield more clearly and consistently to both pedestrians and cyclists.
This change reflects the rising number of bicycle commuters and pedestrian injuries in urban corridors. Whether you’re navigating Downtown LA or suburban intersections in Orange County, yielding at crosswalks is no longer a courtesy—it’s the law.
Failure to comply could now carry harsher consequences, particularly if it results in injury. If you’ve been hit while crossing legally, Gosuits California pedestrian accident lawyers can help you recover full compensation for both medical costs and long-term damages.
Can Police Still Stop You for Broken Taillights in California?
In a move to increase fairness and reduce potential bias in policing, California has banned traffic stops for minor equipment issues unless those issues directly impact safety.
Under this law, officers may no longer stop you solely for:
- A broken taillight
- A missing front license plate
- A minor window tint violation
These changes are designed to prevent unnecessary stops and reduce over-policing in certain communities. If you were pulled over or cited for a minor issue that does not affect road safety, the stop itself may now be legally questionable.
Why Do These New California Traffic Laws Matter After a Car Accident?
The traffic law reforms introduced in California in 2025 represent a deeper change in how the state handles public safety, personal rights, and post-accident liability. From automated enforcement tools to equity-based fines, these laws now shape the outcome of nearly every type of collision, including truck accidents, Uber or Lyft crashes, and even autonomous vehicle incidents involving companies like Waymo. If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident or are facing the loss of a loved one in a wrongful death case, these laws will directly influence how responsibility is assigned and what compensation may be available.
The legal aftermath of a California car accident has become more complex. Points on your license, citations from speed cameras, and unlawful stops can determine whether you’re found at fault, how much insurance will cover, and whether you’ll face escalating penalties or license restrictions. For individuals who are injured, targeted, or financially burdened by this system, navigating it alone can come at a high cost.
At Gosuits, we take on that burden with precision, strategy, and results. We don’t hand you off to a case manager or bury you in voicemail. From the moment you contact us, you’re connected directly with a California car accident attorney who handles your case personally, because that’s how winning happens. Our firm has secured thousands of successful outcomes for clients injured in car accidents, truck collisions, Uber and Lyft crashes, Waymo-related incidents, pedestrian injuries, and wrongful death claims throughout California.
What sets us apart is not just our experience, but how we operate. Behind every case is a smart litigation system powered by our proprietary legal tech, designed to track timelines, identify gaps in the defense, and surface the most favorable paths forward. Our platform gives clients real-time access to their case progress while our car accident attorneys in California leverage technology to move faster, argue sharper, and win smarter.
Whether you’re fighting for compensation after a freeway pileup in Los Angeles or disputing an unlawful citation in Santa Ana, we’re not just familiar with California’s evolving legal landscape—we help shape its outcomes. We challenge bad citations, expose negligence, and build persuasive, courtroom-ready arguments that insurance companies cannot ignore. Schedule your free consultation today.
