RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- According to a new law taking effect, California commercial-truck drivers will not be able to clear tickets from their driving records by going to traffic school, the Press-Enterprise of Riverside, Calif., reported. The law, passed by state Legislature last year, is in compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999. The law will also count noncommercial traffic violations, such as personal vehicle use, against the commercial license. Many trucking companies worry that the increase of traffic violations on drivers’ records will bring increased insurance costs, as well, the newspaper report said. In a business already in need of drivers, another concern is that increased commercial-license suspension will discourage driver applicants. AS a result, traffic courts should expect to get busier, as more drivers try to fight traffic violations rather than accrue points on their record, according to the report. A violation for noncommercial drivers tallies one point on a record, where commercial violations receive 1.5 points. All states must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act by the end of this month. Those that do not face a 5 percent reduction in federal highway funds the first year and 10 percent each following year.
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