San Francisco is the second largest city in the state of California – it also happens to be one of the most famous cities on earth. While it doesn’t have the same sunny weather as Los Angeles, this tech hotspot is one of the nation’s most popular tourist destinations. The technology industry is rampant in San Francisco, which has caused the city to expand rapidly in the past few decades. While the city has great public transport infrastructure, there are still plenty of people that own vehicles in the city.

If you’re a car owned in San Francisco, you know how important it is to have a great auto insurance plan. An accident can get expensive, so you don’t want to leave yourself overly exposed to risks that you can’t handle. Our company’s main priority is connecting individuals with the best insurance policies on the market. We also advise our readers on local laws and driving regulations in an effort to prevent issues on the roads. Check out our suggestions and content below!

San Francisco: Driving Conditions in the City

You don’t have to worry about too many problems from weather in San Francisco. This being said, visibility can get quite bad when it’s foggy or rainy, so be careful when the roads are wet. Keep an eye on local weather alerts if you’re trying to reduce your chances of an accident. San Francisco is also prone to natural disasters – while you can’t do much to prepare for this, earthquakes can occur in San Francisco.

Traffic is an issue, as it is in most major American cities. With a densely-situated population and plenty of tourism in the city, you’ll have to contend with congestion while driving in certain areas. Keep your eye on a traffic app or warning system if you want to avoid high levels of congestion while on the roads in San Francisco.

Driving Safely in San Francisco, California

Each state and city has their own laws to prevent issues on the roads. While some states are very relaxed about road rules and enforcement, others are much stricter. California has some of the strictest road rules in the world – you have to be extremely careful when driving anywhere in the state. In this section of our article, we’re going to look at these specific rules to help you avoid trouble while driving in San Francisco.

Check out the most common road rules and regulations below!

Phone/Handheld Laws in San Francisco

You are not allowed to use any cell phones or personal devices while operating a vehicle in California. This law is in place to prevent people from driving while distracted. California is one of the strictest states in terms of distracted driving laws. As people obtain more and more smartphones, there is a growing problem with accidents caused by distracted drivers. It’s important to avoid using your phone while operating a vehicle on any type of road.

Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws in San Francisco

California has strict seat belt laws that require you to wear a seat belt at all times while in a vehicle – age is irrelevant, all passengers must use a proper seat belt. In addition, as the driver of the vehicle, you are responsible for those under the age of 16 – if you have any passengers under the age of 16 that are not wearing a seat belt, you can be punished according to state law.

Below we will overview the rules for children and car seats:

• Under 2 Years Old – Rear facing child seat in the rear of the vehicle
• Under 8, Older Than 2 – Child restrained in child safety seat or booster seat in the back of the vehicle

Helmet Laws in San Francisco

If you live in California, you’re required to wear a helmet while operating a motorcycle. Many motorcyclists do not like this law, but it does a great job at preventing further damage to individuals who experience accidents. Helmets can greatly reduce your chances of death or head injuries, make sure to wear one if you’re planning on operating a motorcycle anywhere in California.

As everyone in the state is mandated to wear a helmet, not doing so will make you stick out easily – police will fine you for the infraction.

Alcohol and Drug Laws (Driving)

If you’re under the age of 21 in California, there is a zero-tolerance law for drinking and driving. If you have any alcohol in your system, you will face a DUI charge or have your license revoked immediately.

For those over the age of 21, the BAC limit is .08. If you want to avoid any issues with the law, make sure to avoid drinking alcohol before you head out on the road – punishments for intoxicated driving can be severe. For a first-time offense, you may receive up to six months in jail, a six month license suspension, an interlock system on your vehicle ignition, and 30 days of vehicle impoundment. As you can see, a DUI is costly in California.

San Francisco Statistics

San Francisco is often considered much safer than Los Angeles, but there are still a number of crimes that cause problems in the area. Auto theft is one of the more prominent issues in San Francisco. In fact, 2017 saw an increase of 26 percent in auto theft from the year previous. If you want to avoid problems associated with theft or vandalism, make sure that these issues are covered by your insurance plan. Most comprehensive insurance plans include auto theft protection.

Verdict

If you want to protect yourself against financial risks and the associated costs of owning a vehicle, an auto insurance policy is a great starting point. Purchasing an auto insurance policy can help you hedge the risks associated with owning a vehicle. If you’re having trouble choosing the right insurance company, make sure to have a look at some of the insurance companies that we recommend!