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 1 of 5)
Enduring Wanderlust Jan 4th 2009 7:12PM
Legislating the obvious. How about a general law that states: no putting others in danger and no destroying property.
Mark Manozzi Jan 6th 2009 6:40AM
BUT..... while you're at it..... how about finding the idiot or idiots that keep posting, TOTALLY without relevance to the article, those posts for "sex tapes for Miley Cyrus, or Brittney Spears, or Paris Hilton"... can't you're screening computer stop those clowns? They sure can look for and screen out our passwords to post in the first place...... how do they keep getting through?
Floridiais Jan 6th 2009 7:27AM
Yeah, but as an ex-cop you would've seen more drunk drivers than lung cancer cases brought up by second hand smoking. I, for one, believe both needed more regulation, more things to prevent drunk driving, and more strict laws on where you can smoke. Smoking in public poisons the lungs of those around you, and while not killing in the short term the way a drunk driving accident will, it can kill in the long term. Frankly, both are equally dangerous and need just as much regulation, though it's not deadly to drink an alcoholic beverage or two with your friends as long as you don't overdo it, it is deadly to get behind the wheel after "one too many."
Scott Jan 6th 2009 10:23AM
As an ex-cop how many times did you and your buddys drive home drunk? I hang out with Cops and Judges you people are the worst. protect and uphold the law .and we need to regulate more laws. then the next day you arrest people for the same S@@t you did the night before.You want more laws regulated then start arresting cops and Judges .and you all should receive twice the sentence as the rest of us.
billy lambert Jan 6th 2009 10:50AM
if everyone in the usa quit smoking, what do u think the gov. would tax next. u people shpould be grateful that u have a cigarette tax b/c if everyone quit, they would tax something else, and u would complain about that too. get a life
writergrrrl Jan 6th 2009 2:23PM
More laws to "prevent" drunk driving? What do you think that would accomplish, besides put even more useless laws on the books? There are lots of laws already in place, and according to a recent news report in Colorado, drunk driving has not abated as a result.
People KNOW it's illegal to drink and drive. More laws won't make them stop.
You can't legislate common sense.
Nancy Jan 6th 2009 2:22PM
Way to go, 'Scott'! You just spoke volumes on the people you tend to hang out with. Don't bundle up the good, law-abiding, law-enforcing officers with YOUR idiots that you speak of.
Mark Jan 6th 2009 7:28AM
I don't know..... the texting law and the defib law and the public urination law all make perfect sense.. you want to kill yourself, fine.... text away in an empty parking lot Sunday at midnight at 60 mph. The defib law and the public urination law just empasize common sense......... BUT...... the smoking laws that are popping up like wildfire from state to state certainly smack of "Big Brother" to me. They don't regulate DRINKING as much as they're trying to regulate smoking........ and as a retired cop.. I know it's far less likely for a smoker to kill someone with his or her car, than it is for a drunk driver.
Chey Jan 6th 2009 8:23AM
The texting law is great.
rpaul Jan 6th 2009 8:37AM
Well if you have to use defibs then there goes the parks, $1,000.00 for a piss? then they must provide public rest rooms. BIG BROTHER makes sure smokers have no rights but then they reward drunk drivers with a joke, example - Paris H.
City and state cannot efford defibs for park area, where runners ecercise (law suite) or the qualified person thet may be using it on you (law suite). But to take a leak is a natural thing, so where do they put all the restrooms? And who pays for them?
Nancy Jan 6th 2009 2:22PM
What about all the people out there (myself included) who don't feel the need to urinate in public? What's so difficult about 'going' at home or at a gas station, or just plain 'holding it'.?
Don Jan 6th 2009 8:46AM
I have seen people reading and texting while driving from Minnesota to Illinois. There is always traffic and lots of trucks!What is so important to risk you life and the life of others? When I learned to drive my father kept repeating--Keep your damn eyes on the road. It is with me to this day.
John Jan 6th 2009 8:47AM
Try passing TERM LIMITS for ALL elected. It would solve all the problems here in Illinios
chelle Jan 6th 2009 8:50AM
Do some research and you would have known alot of states cant smoke in bars or restauraunts anymore. Including me here in South Carolina! It is slowly becoming a law every place I go, some of the little independent bars and restaurants still let you smoke though.
Amanda Jan 6th 2009 8:51AM
Well, if you're a resident in Maine, not only can you NOT smoke anywhere in public facilities including restaurants and bars, it is now against the law to smoke in your vehicle if you have a child under 16 years as a passenger. I'm a non-smoker so it doesn't affect me. However, living in Maine and living so close to New Hampshire, I'll have to remember to urinate before I leave the house or stop in Kennebunk and use the rest stop. I can't afford $1,000 fine if I have to pee in the woods.
djsmom Jan 6th 2009 10:25AM
I love the no smoking with children under 16, although it should be 18. I think it's child abuse! I lived with smoking parents and it was really discusting! It cost me too, alot of bronchitus and sinus problems. Including ear aches. Smokers are harming their children. Now that we have the knowledge and know the affects we should start rescuing helpless children.
Donny Jan 6th 2009 8:55AM
More law ... more regulation ... liberty is a joke. We need legislators who will turn their pencils around and start erasing.
How silly ... driving your car complaining about second-hand smoke.
Just starting a car throws out more harmful gasses that a wheelbarrow full of burning cigarettes.
Elaine Jan 6th 2009 10:31AM
But cigerettes STINK and the smell sticks to your clothes and hair. We have no smoking in bars here in our state and it is the best thing that has ever happened. We can go out again to eat, for a drink and not have to bathe the minute we get home. If I was spraying a stinky perfume all over your meal, you wouldn't like it. Well it is the same for cigerettes, if you want to spread that stench, do it in your own home.
Keith Jan 6th 2009 3:40PM
This reply is really for Elaine. If you don't like second hand smoke, if you don't like the smell of smoke on your clothes, if you don't like the smell of smoke while you are eating, DON'T GO WHERE PEOPLE SMOKE. YOU made the decision to go to the bars and where ever else you go knowing full well that people were smoking there. It was YOUR decision to put yourself in the situations that you so badly disdain. If you go to a place and put yourself in that position you have no one to blame but yourself. Grow up.
Lola Jan 6th 2009 8:57AM
How did we all get to be so old while growing up without any of these dumb laws they keep passing? I grew up with smokers, no seat belts in the way better made cars, cupcakes at school, and all the other bad things they want to regulate now. We must just be getting dumber and more scared of everything. Want to regulate the baby diapers left on the beaches? Want to put turn lights at the busy intersections rather than red light violaton cameras? The smoking bans are getting ridiculous and I don't even smoke. Why aren't these laws put to a public vote? Why should we have to pay more taxes to regulates the stupid laws we don't want in the first place? You want to be scared? Be scared of what they'll go after next. I hope it's energy drinks myself. They are vile and could lead to strokes.