Road safety is a major concern in the U.S., and as a result, several states have introduced new traffic laws and regulations to address the issues jeopardizing road safety. One state’s new law has particularly caught the attention of several, as it can result in $5,000 fines, among others. This is why, since the start of 2026, California has urged some of its drivers to install a key device in their cars, or they will have to risk suffering the consequences. Find out below why this particular law has been introduced.
Addressing major road safety concerns in the U.S.
The U.S. is facing an increased number of traffic offenses, and it is presently a significant public safety issue. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the leading cause of traffic accidents and traffic accident-associated deaths in the U.S. is traffic violations. Some of the primary traffic violations that occur in the U.S. include speeding and distracted driving.
GHSA data indicate the following shocking information:
- Speeding led to more than fatalities in 2022
- Distracted driving caused more than 324,000 injuries and 3,275 fatalities in 2023
Another troublesome traffic offense in the U.S. is driving under the influence (DUI). According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DUIs accounted for almost 30% of the U.S.’s total traffic accident-associated fatalities in 2023. Furthermore, 2019 data indicate that DUIs cost the country nearly $68.9 billion annually.
One of the U.S states that has stepped up to address the problem is California, by introducing a new law urging drivers to install a key device.
New law brings $5,000 fines starting January
California experiences significantly high volumes of DUI arrests and fatalities. A report by Calmatters indicates that drunken collisions are responsible for nearly 1,300 deaths annually. To make matters worse, in the past ten years, DUI-related fatalities have increased by over 50%. Some believe that these shocking numbers can be attributed to lenient traffic laws, especially regarding repeat offenders.
Well, all of that is about to change. Since the start of January 2026, a new law, the California Assembly Bill 366, has been introduced to reform an existing California traffic law making it significantly stricter. Another state that is making changes is New York, as New Yorkers are facing a stricter license point system in 2026, which includes DUIs, among others. However, Californians will be facing $5,000 fines, among other penalties.
California drivers urged to install a key device
According to the California Assembly Bill 366, all first-time and other DUI offenders are required to install an ignition interlock device in their cars. Before this bill was passed, the installation of this key device was not mandated for first-time offenders. Now, they will be forced to pass breathalyzer tests before they can start up their engines.
In addition, anyone who loses their license with their DUI conviction will be allowed to apply for a restricted driver’s license, but only if they install this key device in their car. Failure to install an ignition interlock device or driving a car without one is seen as a violation of this new law. Violators will not only risk facing fines up to $5,000, but they also risk facing county jail time up to six months.
The moral of the story is that this rule is certainly not made to be broken. Several people, including Rhonda Campbell from Mothers Against Driving, believe this stricter law will discourage people from reoffending and will inevitably increase public road safety. While California and New York are focused on boosting public road safety for drivers, North Carolina has introduced a law requiring drivers to roll down their windows all the way. This is to increase the safety of the state’s law enforcement.