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Californians convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) must make alterations to their vehicles in 2026 to comply with new laws aimed at reducing collisions on the roads.

Why It Matters
California's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reports impaired driving as a major cause of severe crashes in California, making the program’s extension vital for safety. The law encourages safer driving habits and aims to address more than 1,300 yearly alcohol-impaired driving deaths, as cited by California's Office of Traffic Safety in figures updated July 2025. 

Orange County elected leaders, businesses, environmentalists and community members spoke out loudly against the U.S. Department of Interior’s offshore oil and gas drilling proposal at a people’s hearing event in Costa Mesa on Monday, Dec. 8.

More than 100 people attended the event organized by Orange County Coastkeeper, Surfrider Foundation and Oceana.

Several new laws impacting Golden State drivers will go into effect starting Jan. 1, 2026., according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

From new probation mandates for drivers convicted of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated to heavy fines for altered license plates, here's what to know:

New Rules For Drunk Driving Convictions
At least two new laws going into effect next year target people who have been convicted of driving under the influence.

Costa Mesa Fire, city and state leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 9 to celebrate the new state-of-the-art Regional Training Center and tower that replaced the aging infrastructure at Fire Station No. 4.

Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley began organizing coat drives long before she was elected to her office, an idea she said was born out of a desire to foster collaboration with the local police department.

Seventeen years ago, Foley, the former mayor of Costa Mesa, teamed up with an officer to facilitate a charitable endeavor. The community has come together again and again since, the donations this time allowing for stops in Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach and San Juan Capistrano.

Costa Mesa officials celebrated a new, state-of-the-art fire training facility this week. It will help firefighters across the region sharpen their rescue skills in scenarios designed to replicate crises they will likely confront in the line of duty.

Located at Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Station No. 4 on Placentia Avenue, the $5.3-million training center replaces a previous structure built in 1967 and that was well used by generations of first responders.