Vehicles: video event recorder.

Existing law prohibits any person, except as specified, from driving any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon the vehicle that obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view through the windshield or side windows. A violation of the Vehicle Code is a crime. This bill would additionally exempt from these provisions a video event recorder, as defined, that has the capability of monitoring driver performance, which may be mounted in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver, in a 5-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest to the driver and outside of an airbag deployment zone, or in a 5-inch square mounted to the center uppermost portion of the interior of the windshield. The bill would also require, among other things, that a vehicle equipped with a video event recorder have a notice posted in a visible location which states that a passenger's conversation may be recorded. Because this bill would create a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require video event recorders to store no more than 30 seconds before and after a triggering event. If a person is driving for hire in a vehicle with a video event recorder, the bill would require the person's employer to provide, upon request, unedited copies of the recording to the person, free of charge, and within 5 days of the request. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.