Sacramento is a large city located to the northwest of San Francisco. It is one of the few major cities that lies inland within California – most of the major cities run along the coast. While Sacramento isn’t as big as LA or San Francisco, it still has plenty to offer residents and visitors. The city even has its own NBA franchise. If you live in the city, you might be on the lookout for a new insurance policy. Changing your current policy is a great way to save some extra money. Many people don’t realize that they’re overpaying for their policy. Our company’s goal is to provide our readers with the tools to find the best auto insurance policies in their cities. On this page, we’ll also provide you with some additional information on staying safe on Sacramento roads – read ahead!

Sacramento: Driving Conditions in the City

Sacramento has surprisingly bad traffic during many parts of the day. If you haven’t driven in the city before, you might be surprised by the congestion. While it’s not as bad as LA, you should still keep your eye on traffic reports and updates before heading out on the roads – this is especially true during peak hours. In addition to traffic, storms can happen in the region — this causes less than ideal driving situations. In addition, winters can get much colder than you might think – frozen roads do occur. Make sure to check travel warnings if the weather gets too cold. You don’t want to risk driving on icy roads.

Driving Safely in Sacramento, California

California is often considered a country of its own – its state government and residents have a culture of their own. As you know, all states and cities have their own laws and regulations, this is especially true in the state of California. If you want to drive safely in California, it’s important that you understand the road rules. This section will provide you with all the information you need to understand the most important road laws in Sacramento. Check it out below!

Phone/Handheld Laws in Sacramento

You cannot touch or use a cell phone while operating a car in Sacramento. This means that you are not allowed to text or read anything on your phone – you’re also not allowed to hold your phone to your ear while you speak on it. If you would like to use your cell phone while you’re driving, it has to be on a hands-free setting. Make sure to follow this rule or you will receive a hefty fine.

Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws in Sacramento

In the state of California, you are required to wear a seatbelt if you are in a motor vehicle. This applies to both passengers and drivers. If you are driving a vehicle and someone under the age of 16 does not have a seat belt on, you can be punished for this. Make sure that everyone in your car has a seatbelt on – it can truly be the difference between life and death. If your child is under the age of three, they must be secured in a rear-facing car seat. If they are under the age of eight, but large enough to exceed the capacity of a car seat, they must be in an appropriate booster seat in the rear of a vehicle. Endangering your child by not securing them in the appropriate device can carry stiff penalties.

Helmet Laws in Sacramento

Helmet laws are extremely strict in the state of California. If you’re riding a motorcycle in California, you have to wear a helmet – it doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you’ve had your license. In addition, anyone who is a passenger on a motorcycle must also wear a helmet. It is illegal for someone to ride with someone else who does not have a helmet – you can be punished even if you are personally wearing a helmet. This law is in place to promote a culture of safety. Evidence suggests that helmets go a long way in preventing death while on the roads. Make sure to take this seriously!

Alcohol and Drug Laws (Driving)

If you are under the age of 21 in Sacramento, you cannot have any alcohol in your system if you are operating a vehicle. If you do have alcohol in your system, or you refuse to take a breath test, you license will be revoked. For those over the age of 21, the BAC limit is .08. If you are caught the first time, you may receive a fine of up to $1,000, six months in jail, six months of a suspended license, 30 days of vehicle impoundment, an addition $2,600 in penalties, and more. As you can see, receiving a DUI in California is a serious problem. It is best to avoid any substances prior to driving on roads in California.

Sacramento Statistics and Risk

If you live in the Sacramento area, you might have noticed that the overall crime rate has been decreasing. While this is positive news for the city, it overlooks the fact that car theft is on the rise in Sacramento. For this reason, you should be especially careful with your vehicle. In addition, you should consider a comprehensive insurance plan that provides you with coverage for theft!

Verdict

If you’re able to change your insurance policy, you will most likely be able to get the cheapest auto insurance in California by choosing a better provider. Most Americans have plenty of room to save money on their insurance plans – you’re most likely overpaying for your current insurer. If you check out some of the insurance providers we recommend on our site, you will most likely be able to receive a much better insurance policy in Sacramento, California. If you live or drive in other cities outside of Sacramento, make sure to check out some of our other city-specific pages. We are experts on auto insurance and have plenty of resources available on our site – check it out!