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Originally Posted by Codee
Where does it say that the code is applicable to me? That's more then half of the only code section which specifically states who the code is applicable to.
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You misconstrue this section. What was sec 453 (when enacted in 1935) has been slightly rewritten in 1959 and now is sec 21052 of the California Vehicle Code.
The current section 21052 doesn't have subsections, so when you quote subsection (a) of the old sec. 453, I wonder what subsections (b) and (if it existed) (c) said.
The current text is:
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Sec. 21052. Drivers who are public employees; Authorized emergency vehicles.
THe provisions of this code applicable to the drivers of vehicles upon the highways apply to the drivers of all vehicles while engaged in the course of employment by this State, any political subdivision thereof, any municipal corporation, or any district, including authorized emergency vehicles subject to those exemptions granted such authorized emergency vehicles in this code.
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It is clear from the cases that cited this section, including its earlier version, that this section merely means that operators of "official cars" - including police cars and cars belonging to other govt agencies and offices - are expected to comply with the traffic laws, like everyone else, and are not exempted from the traffic laws just because they might have some political connections. The only exceptions are those already allowed, by another section, to emergency vehicles (e.g. amulances, firetrucks, police cars) in actual emergencies.
This section did NOT mean that ONLY govt drivers were governed by the traffic laws. If it did, then the traffic laws would probably have been put in the California Government Code instead of a separate Vehicle Code. The Vehicle Code is a part of the entire California Code and some sections are written so that they must apply to drivers who are not in govt service.