Fresno is one of California’s most popular inland cities. Visitors to the state often forget how beautiful inland California can be – it’s not all about coastline and beaches. Fresno has a thriving local economy that covers a diverse range of industries. While the city is quite large, it doesn’t have the same public transport infrastructure as many of the Northeastern hubs. If you live in Fresno, you most likely own a vehicle to get to and from work. Auto insurance can be expensive in California, so it’s important to understand the benefits of obtaining a great auto insurance policy.

Our company provides our readers with suggestions on insurance companies to work with – we’re a great source for any auto insurance related information. We also want our readers to stay safe on the roads – each city provides different hazards and challenges. This article will provide you with all the information you need to stay safe on roads in Fresno.

Fresno: Driving Conditions in the City

If you’re driving in Fresno, it’s important to be aware of the potential hazards on the roads. You don’t want to get into an accident because you are negligent of potential issues. Traffic isn’t way too bad in the city – you have way less congestion than in Los Angeles or San Francisco. Regardless, make sure to be even more careful during peak travel times.

Weather in Fresno doesn’t get too awful either, but winter months can see potential issues with wet and rainy conditions. If you think a storm is incoming, make sure to keep track of local warnings – you don’t want to get caught driving in conditions you can’t handle. Fog can often appear during certain times of the year as well – don’t attempt to drive when visibility is significantly reduced.

Driving Safely in Fresno, California

If you’ve moved states before, you know how different laws can be depending on where you’re living. The same goes for road rules. California has a reputation as being one of the strictest states in the country when it comes to road laws. If you’re looking to avoid potential issues with local law enforcement, it’s important to educated yourself on local regulations.

This part of our article is intended to provide you with all the information you need to understand Fresno’s road rules. Check out the most prominent road laws in Fresno below!

Phone/Handheld Laws in Fresno

As you probably know, using your phone while driving can be a dangerous distraction. Distracted driving is an increasingly common issue in the United States. California has a zero-tolerance approach to distracted driving – it is completely illegal to use a mobile phone or device while driving on any roads in California. Breaking this law will result in stiff financial penalties.

Don’t risk it – distracted driving can cost lives.

Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws in Fresno

If you are an adult in California, there are no special exceptions for seat belts. You have to wear a seat belt at all times while driving in California. If you have passengers under the age of 16, you’re also responsible for ensuring they are properly strapped in while driving. If you are found to have minors not wearing seat belts, you will receive a harsh penalty and you may be reported for negligent parenting.

In terms of car seats, those under the age of two are required to be in a rear facing safety seat in the rear of the vehicle. Those over the age of two, but under the age of eight, are required to be secured in a child’s safety seat or booster seat– whichever is more appropriate legally.

Helmet Laws in Fresno

Motorcycle drivers in Fresno have to abide by California helmet laws if they want to avoid trouble on the roads. California has strict helmet laws that require all motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear helmets at all times while operating a motorcycle. Wearing a helmet will drastically improve your ability to survive an accident on a motorcycle. Don’t underestimate the value of your safety on the road.

Alcohol and Drug Laws (Driving)

Intoxicated driving has always been an issue in the United States. While many states and cities make strident efforts to crack down on intoxicated driving, the problem persists. California has extremely strict rules and punishments to help prevent accidents due to intoxicated driving. If you are under the age of 21, there is a zero-tolerance policy for intoxicated driving – you can’t have any alcohol in your system. Failing to comply with this law can result in a DUI or license revocation.

If you’re over the age of 21, the BAC limit for intoxicated driving is .08. If you receive a DUI, there are a range of available punishments on offer. You may receive $1,000 in fines, six months in jail, an additional $2,600 in assessments, six-months license suspension, a vehicle interlock, and more. As you can tell, it’s very important to avoid a DUI at all costs.

Fresno Statistics

Fresno has seen marked decreases in the level of car theft within the city. 2017 saw a substantial drop in car theft numbers. This being said, minivans are an increasingly common target for car thieves in the area. If you’re looking to avoid the costs of vehicle theft, make sure to purchase a comprehensive insurance plan. This is especially important for minivan owners in the region!

Verdict

If you think you’re currently overpaying, make sure to have a look at some of the different auto insurers that we recommend in order to get cheap auto insurance in California. It’s important to understand how much money you may save if you choose a better policy. You could be overpaying for poor coverage.

If you feel like you need additional information about auto insurance companies, take a look at some of our content. We provide all the resources you need to get a better understanding of the auto insurance industry and what to look out for. In addition, we have plenty of other city-specific pages for those who live outside Fresno!