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New state laws that affect travelers in 2009
There are slew of new state laws that have gone into effect with the change to 2009. Here are some of the ones that I've culled from this CBS News/AP article that could impact travelers depending upon which state you head to for a vacation this year.
In California, do not read-or-write text messages while you drive. It's now illegal. Heavens! Can you imagine someone texting on a freeway in L.A.?
If you are in Illinois and are having a heart attack at an outdoor fitness facility, look for a defibrillator. All such facilities are now required to have one.
Don't even think about urinating or defecating in public in New Hampshire. If you decide to let go, it could cost you a $1,000 fine. Did people in New Hampshire have a problem holding it until they found a toilet? That was my initial thinking. Turns out, the law is to prevent people who pee in public from being labeled as sex offenders.
For smokers in Oklahoma, only fire-safe cigarettes are being sold. If you're a smoker in Oregon, don't light up in a bar. Smoking is now banned in bars. Trans-fat is also banned in Oregon. From the finest restaurants to fast food, not a speck of trans fat is to be used.
Top 10 stupidest laws you could encounter abroad
Filed under: Transportation, News
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 5)
The Thinker Jan 6th 2009 11:04AM
I grew up with two smokers. Can you just imagine, six kids and two parents in the car driving down the road with the windows up (or most of the way) and both adults smoking. We bathed a lot. But, none of us ever had any kind of "smoke-related" illness. Not only that, but I don't think any of us six ever even had an ear infection or the flu or anything like that. My oldest sister is now 50 years old, my youngest sisters (twins) are 44. So far, and with God's grace, none of us have any lasting illnesses from the smoking.
You are right Lola, and I like the idea of going after energy drinks too. But that will probably come only after we are told that drinking water and getting fresh sunlight each day is going to be against the law.
writergrrrl Jan 6th 2009 2:23PM
"Why aren't these laws put to a public vote?"
Because we are stupid enough to let government take over our thinking for us. We are, year by year, allowing our government to erode every bit of "freedom" we once enjoyed, by letting our "representatives" make our decisions for us. This is the "dumbing down" of America that has gone on for at least the last 30 years.
How do you cook a frog? If you put it in a pot of boiling water, it would immediately jump out. But if you put it in a pot of tepid water then slowly raise the heat, it would stay in because it wouldn't notice the increased heat until too late. That's what we are letting our government do - cook us like frogs.
Step by quiet step, they are eroding every bit of liberty we once had, and all we do is complain amongst ourselves instead of fixing the problem. Every year more stupid laws are passed just to keep the legislators gainfully employed, and we keep letting them do it.
We need less government intervention, not more.
Lola Jan 6th 2009 2:29PM
Thank you "The Thinker". I enjoyed your reply. I too was around smokers all the time, and at 50 plus, I have had no ill effects, and did not become a smoker, (at least not of regular cigarettes) as a result. I admit to enjoying a vanilla or rum- flavored cigar once in a while, until they ban smoking in my backyard. We are continually making laws to protect ourselves from ourselves, when all we have to remember is that old chestnut "Moderation in all things". When they banned cupcakes and stuff at school I knew we were heading for the end. Fast food is just that, fast. If it was supposed to be healthy, it would say health food. My food pyramid does not say eat fast food all the time because I am too lazy to prepare regular food at home. It uses the words "balanced diet" a lot. In the end, Stress, worrying about all the things that can kill us, will kill us. Have a great week!
Lola Jan 6th 2009 2:48PM
Your analogy is so right on "writergrrrl"! I think all the dumb laws are there to take our eyes off the fact that we are slowly giving away our freedoms. It's truly sad that we have become this dumb society. By the popularity of all the trashy reality shows, I have not much hope that we will change anytime soon. And I don't know about anyone else's phone, but I can barely read the letters on mine, so texting just seems ridiculous whether I am driving or not. If you are already on the phone, why not just talk to the person. Unless they aren't supposed to be on the phone in the first place!
fathertimema Jan 6th 2009 9:00AM
Defecating in NH.
I had to laugh at that one. I have Colistis and when you have to take a C**P you have to go. You have no choice or your going in your pants.
I was in Plasto NH a month ago at night. I had to go and went
in the rear parking lot at Applebees. Sorry guys... When Colistis makes you go you have a second to find a bathroom.
So NH can take their law and shove it.
erbie Jan 6th 2009 10:16AM
You're an uncouth ass, the toliet was in the Applebys, who did you want to impress. Had you been caught you should have been put in a place in jail where the inmates may appreciate your exposed backside.
Phil Jan 6th 2009 1:32PM
Oh Fathertime, if I was leaving Applebees following a low carb. dinner with non alcoholic drinks and stepped in a pile of your s**t, I would be rather upset. I think it's safe to say the rule was put into place so people don't expose themselves in obvious places. If your hunting in the woods and have the urge, I bet you would get away with it, but taking a dump in the local parking lot is a bit much. Colitas or not, there are steps you could take to avoid this disgusting trend of yours. You can take you nasty habit and plug it.
Brandi Jan 6th 2009 2:06PM
Wow- how about adult diapers for fecal incontinence? You may not like sitting in it but that only affects you. When you go to the bathroom it affects so much more.
Bill Jan 6th 2009 9:04AM
Without a doubt, cigarettes are hazardous to one's health but it amazes me when laws are passed that say you can come into my bar, drink all you want to, in fact, you can get drunk and drive home but don't you dare light up a cigarette!! I have searched far and wide for a newspaper that has the headline, "Innocent Mom and Child Killed By Driver Under The Influence of a Cigarette". I wish they (politicians) would put as much energy into curbing alcohol use as they do cigarettes but then, I forgot, they love their alcohol!!
erbie Jan 6th 2009 10:18AM
Teddy don't smoke and doesn't want his drinking interrupted by the offensive smell of cigarette smoke. Me either, but I'd just go somewhere else and let smokers have the slow death of lung cancer, with diapers on that family members have to change and the machines that are needed to kill the last few days of pain you'll have, as loved ones watch you in and out of delirium.
joseph shipley Jan 6th 2009 11:51AM
without my drink, who would i vote for?????? pour me.another smoke bartender
Animal Jan 6th 2009 9:06AM
As for taking a leak in public, in Arizona it is a misdemeanor if another adult sees it. If minor children see it then it becomes a sex offense. This goes along with the flashers who try to molest kids. Out here the laws on child molesters are getting very strict just like the DUI laws. If I even have one drink I am paranoid about driving a car. I stay at home. As far as cracking down on smokers, it is a personal choice and they need to respect non smokers as well as non smokers need to respect smokers rights. If you want to holler about smoke in the air, then stop driving cars and etc. Our factories that pollute the air are moving to Mexico to avoid being cracked down on by the EPA as well as finding cheaper labor. However they are still polluting the air. So people lets be real about this and if you want to take a hard line against smokers, then take a hard line against all that pollute.
writergrrrl Jan 6th 2009 2:23PM
"If I even have one drink I am paranoid about driving a car. I stay at home."
Well, you're one of the smarter ones :-) It's amazing how many people think it's OK to have a couple drinks at dinner in a restaurant then hop in the car and drive home, jeopardizing everyone around them with their buzz.
After I grew up, I realized that I have NO RIGHT to affect others with my drinking habits or smoking habits. I can pickle my liver and clog my lungs, and that's my choice - but I should do those things where it doesn't affect the people around me. Do you really want to be responsible for the death of a stranger, by the bad choice of driving after you've had a few drinks?
I had a roommate a few years ago who was permanently brain damaged after a head-on collision with someone who'd been drinking some. She was only 25 when it happened; she was in college, had a lively social life and was enjoying a good life with prospects of a rosy future. Then she got hit by a drunk driver, spent a month in a coma, and has spent the rest of her life barely being able to live away from her parents. Is having a few drinks so important to anyone that you are willing to be the cause of such a tragedy?
Actually, I quit smoking 15 years ago after watching both my parents die slowly and painfully from smoking-related cancers. And I quit drinking after my husband died 8 years ago of smoking- and alcohol-related cancer.
Even though both activities are legal, they are just bad for your body. And your lingering, painful death is bad for the people who love you. And causing grief and hardship to another human being, when you could have easily avoided it, is just wrong. That should be reason enough to quit ...
Considerate Person Jan 6th 2009 9:26AM
I wish smoking would not be allowed in ALL public places in ALL states. I have asthma which was brought on by breathing second hand smoke in the office, before smoking laws went into effect. When I go somewhere where there is smoking it can set me off into an attack and then I need to find the nearest hospital. Can I sue the smoker who made me have the attack? After all they are costing me money due to no fault of my own. People can smoke in their own houses and cars (providing they don't have kids under 16 in some states).
As for the defibulators, it's a great idea. You don't have to be qualified to use one. The instructions are right there with the unit. Good samaritan laws will superceed law suits.
I only hope the texting law helps. I live in CA where last year they made it illegal to drive while talking on a cell phone without a hands free device. Cops are STILL ticketing people driving with cell phones to their ears!
john Jan 6th 2009 10:03AM
Would like to know = what caused asthma, heart problems, stroke, and cancer before the big hoopla of smoaking?
erbie Jan 6th 2009 10:15AM
Text messaging, talking on cell phones, reading newspapers, would all be gone, the lady that was hit by the woman in the SUV who was more invovled in talking on the cell than running over someone would appreciate that. As far as smoking is concerned, I hate the smell of it and it should be banned, banning alcohol would just promote bootlegging as it did in the 20's. Smoking is not allowed at my place, go somewhere else if you don't like it.
Considerate Person Jan 6th 2009 1:30PM
John,
Sure there was asthma, heart disease, strokes and cancer before smoking. However studies have shown that the rate of all these diseases have INCREASED DRAMATICALLY due to smoking.
drocelot Jan 6th 2009 9:14AM
Those of you who are smokers can cry about your "rights" all you want. Sure you can smoke, as long as it doesn't negatively affect those around you. Children exposed to second hand smoke (but doctor, I go in another room!) have increased respiratory infections, increased ear infections, poorly controlled asthma, the list goes on and on. The people around you (we're now in the majority) have spoken. We don't want you smoking around us. Also, most of you smell bad. You can't tell because your sense of smell is damaged. Get some help. You'll save a fortune, and maybe save a life.
Debbie Jan 6th 2009 10:33AM
You may very well be right but...when I was having my children. so many years ago it was believed that smoking reduced birth weight. Now tell the very first time pregnant woman that her child is goign to weigh in at over 12 pounds and to quit smoking in the same breathe. I am a smoker have quit for years and the first time something traumatic happens (like Katrina) pick it up without ever even realize you are doing such. As a smoker, I do repect your rights. If smoking is bothersome to you, I will not smoke around you. If you think your rights are more important than my rights, then so be it also. Just remember that I have never met a smoker that didn't want to quit, and if every smoker did quit, you better get your checkbook ready, because then you will all but see the total collaspe of the government financially. A pack of cigarettes cost about 35 cents to make the rest a taxes. Some place a pack of cigarettes are as high as 12 bucks. So keep complaining but keep those checks a rolling the government will thank you for your complaints and contributions.
Dave Jan 6th 2009 9:15AM
Some laws are stupid, but some are not. Here in Colorado they pass a law thats good, enforce it for one or two days after it takes effect, then they forget about it. I've honked at people who were swerving while on a cell phone talking or texting and they look at you like you did something wrong. Pass laws that are good, not stupid then enforce them all the time.