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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 4 of 5)
Just Me Jan 6th 2009 11:56AM
I wish they would instill the no smoking in public in ALL states. I mean, is it so hard for a smoker to eat, pay his bill, and wait to smoke outside? Is he so addicted that he absolutely HAS to have a cigarette while eating? It is so disgusting to go into a restaurant with your family, go into the "no smoking" section.....just to have smoke flow through the air right to your section! My husband used to chew tobacco (but quit). Many times he was so tempted to go to a smoker's table and spit tobacco right across his plate. I mean, is that so different? He definitely wouldn't have liked that any more than we liked his stinking smoke coming across under our noses while we tried to eat!
As far as the no smoking law with children under 16 in the car....there was a man sitting close to us in a restaurant having to continuously use oxygen. In conversation to us he said he never smoked even once in his life and has COPD. It came from second hand smoke when he was a child and in the car with both parents smoking away.
Alcohol can kill right away....but smoking or second hand smoke causes years of long, smothering, choking "living" while waiting for the inevitable death from it, as life, such as it is, just lingers on.
Poolmaker Jan 6th 2009 12:08PM
By the way they forgot to mention it is also illegal to talk with a hand held cell phone in Calif. while driving..
Supermanxix Jan 6th 2009 12:15PM
You know, someone said something about smokers polluting their air "On their own time". Don't you think when they go out (Just like you) they ARE on their own time? It's a BAR. A place to go shoot pool, sing Karaoke, and consume mass quantities of alcohol. You are going to talk about smoke stinking? I hope you rode a bike there, because car exhaust stinks. Do you care whose lungs you are ruining with that? No smoking in Bars, Bah! in the words of Eddie Izzard, "And soon, no drinking or talking either..."
Sam Jan 6th 2009 12:18PM
Smoking laws are childish in two reasons. One most major cities have trouble passing EPA standards for clean air. It seems funny that the same cities that have industrial air pollution would complain about a bar full of smokers. Two If you do not want to be exposed to second hand smoke in a restaurant don't go after all its healthier to actually cook your own meals at home and save the money you would have paid in gas which by the way ads to the above mentioned pollution. Urinating in public/defecating in public well I can understand not exposing your backside in public but the reason given and this is the quote from the above article
"the law is to prevent people who pee in public from being labeled as sex offenders.
Ok I think this should bring pause to many people because if you see me taking a piss in public how do you make the jump from public urination to a sex act esp a leud and obscene act? I think the law enforcement community as well as our legislators have really made a mockery of our legal system and this is one example of what happens when you have a cop and a politician knock heads together. Remember the movie 1984? well I think we are moving closer to that being real not to the extreme of that but just wait sooner or later things that seem innocent will be outlawed and simple Americans will be turned into prisoners in their own home
Stub Jan 6th 2009 12:19PM
All across this land, we the people, are losing more and more of our rights of freedom. Instead of uniting and taking these rights back, we pick each other apart.While we are doing so ,our so-called dedicated law-makers march on making a name for themselves, thus, propelling themselves higher up the political ladder. All of this at the expense of our liberty and freedom. People need to wake up and take notice to this fact. It doesn't matter about the cell phone, the cigarette' or using the bathroom outside. Everyone should have enough respect for others around them and use discression if such matters should come about. Keep an eye out for those politicians ,for they are the things we all should be worried about.
john johnson Jan 6th 2009 12:31PM
how about the infamous patriot act??? I suggest eveyone start standing up for there rights. Some laws help us. Others suggest an implementation of something bad to come our way from our government. Research this...birdfluhoax on youtube. knowledge is power
powell Jan 6th 2009 1:24PM
how about all the businesses that have tiolets for "custumers only", or when you have to stand in line to get a key, or businesses that have tiolets according to law but do not let anyone use them (laundrymats) or states that close their rest areas in the winter (next rest area 100 mlies).
Theodora Jan 6th 2009 1:24PM
Yes.I am a smoker...I remember when we could smoke in the backroom at work...our boss would b---h and complaine all day about it..but...took 3 trips to the liquor store for him...he cut the wrong # on a guys head who played football and wanted his #..laughed all day about that one....then he drove 20 miles to get home and I am sure he was drunk!! Trips to the liquor store was everyday....I am not a drinker but I agree with Bill
steve Jan 6th 2009 1:26PM
Scott is correct the cops drink and drive home off duty way over the limit .I own a bar in Florida and lots of guys on the force drink here. All are above the legal limit when they leave here to drive home. Then they bust you on Duty for the same thing they do. How many cops get busted for DUI?
That is the truth.
Theo Jan 6th 2009 1:31PM
I am a smoker...I remember when I was working as a Hairstylist and we could smoke in the backroom of the salon. Our boss would b---h and complaine about this ..He hated smoke..but..we could make 3 runs to the liquor store for him and he would cut hair plastered, He cut a kids hair and buzzed the # 96 as 69. I say close all the liquor stores and bars as I am not a drinker..never killed anyone because of drinking and driving..or smoking! I do agree that the laws have to come down to closing any place that has to do with booze! P.S. I have 2 very healthy kids also!!!..Drink at home!
Kelly Jan 6th 2009 1:44PM
*scoffs* Personally I think all of these rules and laws are kind of stupid and redicilous. I'd rather live in a world with NO RULES AND NO LAWS! Perhaps I should make a new law of "no pissing me, (Kelly) off" now. Yeah that sounds good. :) Even copyright laws are redicilous.
Jim Jan 6th 2009 2:28PM
I think all cell phone usage should be against the law, in every state while driving. And This country could make a lot of money if they legalize marijuana and tax it like they do with cigarettes. Marijuana doesn't stink like cigarettes or impair your driving like alcohol. Like alcohol you would have to be 21 to buy or use it. Also I had colitis and you have a good five minutes to find a toilet. That was gross and uncalled for.
char Jan 6th 2009 2:22PM
We grew up years ago eating meat, smoking etc. Surprise, nothing happened. It seems to me that it is not a matter of what is harmful but a matter of just simple opinions of the people that do not like it and want to rage their opinions on everyone else. Now its going to go around full circle especially in NY. Not only are smokers going to be taxed and have the most stupid laws affecting them, but if you buy a soft drink with sugar, or get a haircut, manicure, pedicure, download something, buy a movie ticket, hail a taxi, buy beer or wine....ha...guess what!!!!TAX TAX TAX...see once you let it start, it never stops. So all that were cheering about the high cigarette tax, now I will sit back and laugh because everyone will feel it. And this won't just stop in NY. Just because you don't like something and get happy that the government is going to punish those darn smokers always remember that it won't be long till they get you too.
Nancy Jan 6th 2009 2:28PM
So then, Steve (#63) claims to be a bar-owner, who admits to over-serving patrons and allowing them to leave his establishment and drive home. hmmmm.. Guess you're going to lose your liquor license and probably get sued sometime soon. Either that, or you're full of crap.
Nancy Jan 6th 2009 2:34PM
....and, everyone who is fed up with cell-phone and text using drivers should do as I do: purchase a signal interuptor which will turn the area around and near your vehicle into a 'no-phone-zone'. Only drawback is that these units also interupt GPS signals too.. small price to pay, in my opinion, when seeing the priceless look on the faces of those phone-happy drivers when they suddenly lose that signal!
Molly55 Jan 6th 2009 3:03PM
And regarding Oregon's No Trans-Fat law...Give Me a Break. If I want to eat a bag of greasy potato chips, so be it. If I do it every day and end up sick and in the hospital, at least I have the insurance to pay for it. If I lose my insurance and can't pay for it, at least I have paid into taxes all these years to help pay my share. Can't say that for all those illegal aliens that get free med care. I welcome all aliens that come here legally, however, if you can't get the papers, go home. Wonder if Oregonians feel the same way?
gary Jan 6th 2009 3:02PM
One of the main reasons our forefathers came here was taxation without representation. Do WE need all these laws!?! I think not! There are way TOO MANY laws which IMHO should be understood. But, alas I suppose there are way too many STUPID people (whether elected or constituants) that can't get it. Sad, very sad. Oops, leaving posts on the internet is NOW illegal
Molly55 Jan 6th 2009 3:31PM
If you own your own bar or restraunt, you should be able to establish your own smoking or non-smoking policy. Patrons should be able to choose. Big Brother is WAY TOO BIG anymore.
arthur lee davis Jan 6th 2009 5:13PM
YOU GO, OREGON!
NOW IF THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE AND CONTINUE TO RUIN HUMAN BEINGS HEALTH IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS COULD BE BANNED AND OUTLAWED IN THE STATE THAT MILESTONE WILL BE VERY PURPOSEFUL.
CAN SUCH A TASK BE ACHIEVED ? I DON`T KNOW.
HOWEVER, IF IT IS DOABLE. THE STATE OF OREGON WILL HAVE THE WHEREWITHAL FOR THAT MONUMEN--TAL TASK. JUST ONE MORE FORWARD MOVE. THANKS !
leonard Jan 6th 2009 6:07PM
here in ct. it is illegal to smoke in any place with 5 or more employees.private clubs such as vfw's or knights of columbus are exempt.as a smoker i agree.i do not want to foul the air of others.even the casinos created non smoking areas though they do not have to.its good buisness sense.