CA AB2477

Exempts video event recorders mounted in commercial motor vehicles from California Vehicle Code restrictions on windshield obstructions, allowing placement up to 2 inches below the upper edge of windshield wipers outside driver's sight lines.

Exemption becomes inoperative on the expiration date of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's temporary exemption or any subsequent renewal, as determined by the California Highway Patrol.

Exemption becomes operative if federal regulations are revised to allow video event recorder placement at the top of windshields on commercial motor vehicles, even if the temporary exemption has lapsed.

Applies existing requirements to commercial video recorders including: employer must provide unedited recordings to employees within 5 days upon request, devices store maximum 30 seconds before and after triggering events, and device may be disabled by vehicle owner.

Legislation responds to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration studies showing video event recorder usage reduced safety-related events by 38-52 percent and severe safety-related events by 44-59 percent.