OLD CARS AND NEW LAWS
PLUS W H AATSUUP H ERE AND TH ERE
N ov. 2009
The following state bills are not laws at this time.. They have
T h e fo llo w in g s ta te b ills a r e n o t la w s a t th is tim e T h e y h a v e
b e e n r e c e n tly in tr o d u c e d a n d a r e c u r r e n tly u n d e r
b e e n r e c e n tly in tr o d u c e d a n d a r e c u r r e n tly u n d e r
consideration by the respective state legislatures..
c o n s id e r a tio n b y th e r e s p e c tiv e s ta te le g is la tu r e s
C A L IF O R N IA
C A L IF O R N IA
San Francisco’’s transportation agency,, anticipating a
S a n F r a n c is c o s tr a n s p o r ta tio n a g e n c y a n tic ip a tin g a
multimillion-dollar deficit,, is proposing a plan it says will
m u ltim illio n -d o lla r d e fic it is p r o p o s in g a p la n it s a y s w ill
help ease parking snafus.. It wants to extend parking meter
h e lp e a s e p a r k in g s n a fu s It w a n ts to e x te n d p a r k in g m e te r
hours-up to midnight in the trendiest neighborhoods,, and on
h o u r s -u p to m id n ig h t in th e tr e n d ie s t n e ig h b o r h o o d s a n d o n
Sundays everywhere.. Those who already find it hard to park
S u n d a y s e v e r y w h e r e T h o s e w h o a lr e a d y fin d it h a r d to p a r k
on the streets in the daytime are not happy.. Two-thirds of
o n th e s tr e e ts in th e d a y tim e a r e n o t h a p p y T w o -th ir d s o f
the city’’s 809,,000 residents are renters,, a majority of those
th e c ity s 8 0 9 0 0 0 r e s id e n ts a r e r e n te r s a m a jo r ity o f th o s e
have cars and no driveways,, and the parking citation stories
h a v e c a r s a n d n o d r iv e w a y s a n d th e p a r k in g c ita tio n s to r ie s
they tell could fill a book.. The move would raise more than a
th e y te ll c o u ld fill a b o o k T h e m o v e w o u ld r a is e m o r e th a n a
million dollars a year,, free up more parking spots and help
m illio n d o lla r s a y e a r fr e e u p m o r e p a r k in g s p o ts a n d h e lp
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business,, says the San Francisco Metropolitan Transit
b u s in e s s s a y s th e S a n F r a n c is c o M e tr o p o lita n T r a n s it
Agency.. San Francisco is in for a battle royal if other cities
A g e n c y S a n F r a n c is c o is in fo r a b a ttle r o y a l if o th e r c itie s
th a t h a v e p ro p o se d o r e n a c te d m e te r c h a n g e s a re a n y
th a t h a v e p ro p o se d o r e n a c te d m e te r c h a n g e s a re a n y
indication.. Just across the Bay Bridge,, the Oakland City
in d ic a tio n J u s t a c r o s s th e B a y B r id g e th e O a k la n d C ity
C o u n c il is s till s m a r tin g a fte r it e x te n d e d p a r k in g m e te r s b y
C o u n c il is s till s m a r tin g a fte r it e x te n d e d p a r k in g m e te r s b y
two hours and increased rates and fines.. That led to such a
tw o h o u r s a n d in c r e a s e d r a te s a n d fin e s T h a t le d to s u c h a
r e v o lt – in c lu d in g r e c a ll p e titio n s th a t th e n e w r u le s w e r e
r e v o lt – in c lu d in g r e c a ll p e titio n s th a t th e n e w r u le s w e r e
rescinded last month,, three months after they took effect..
r e s c in d e d la s t m o n th th r e e m o n th s a fte r th e y to o k e ffe c t
Earlier this year,, when Chicago,, desperate for revenue..
E a r lie r th is y e a r w h e n C h ic a g o d e s p e r a te fo r r e v e n u e
le a s e d its p a r k in g m e te r s y s te m fo r 7 5 y e a r s to M o r g a n
le a s e d its p a r k in g m e te r s y s te m fo r 7 5 y e a r s to M o r g a n
Stanley for $1..15 billion,, parking meter hours were extended,,
S ta n le y fo r $ 1 1 5 b illio n p a r k in g m e te r h o u r s w e r e e x te n d e d
rates were quadrupled,, citations fees were hiked and Mayor
r a te s w e r e q u a d r u p le d c ita tio n s fe e s w e r e h ik e d a n d M a y o r
Richard Daley’’s approval rating fell to their worst level,, 35
R ic h a r d D a le y s a p p r o v a l r a tin g fe ll to th e ir w o r s t le v e l 3 5
percent..
percen t
G o ld e n G a te B r id g e o ffic ia ls a r e c o n s id e r in g e lim in a tin g to ll
G o ld e n G a te B r id g e o ffic ia ls a r e c o n s id e r in g e lim in a tin g to ll
takers,, charging bicyclists and pedestrians to cross the span,,
ta k e r s c h a r g in g b ic y c lis ts a n d p e d e s tr ia n s to c r o s s th e s p a n
raising tolls,, selling tickets for a behind-the-scenes tour to
r a is in g to lls s e llin g tic k e ts fo r a b e h in d -th e -s c e n e s to u r to
h e lp c lim b o u t o f a $ 1 3 2 m illio n b u d g e t s h o r tfa ll o v e r th e
h e lp c lim b o u t o f a $ 1 3 2 m illio n b u d g e t s h o r tfa ll o v e r th e
next five years.. On Nov.. 6tth.. the bridge board held a special
n e x t fiv e y e a r s O n N o v 6 h th e b r id g e b o a r d h e ld a s p e c ia l
m e e tin g to a d d r e s s fin a n c ia l p r o b le m s b r o u g h t o n b y th e
m e e tin g to a d d r e s s fin a n c ia l p r o b le m s b r o u g h t o n b y th e
e c o n o m ic r e c e s s io n th a t h a s r e s u lte d in fe w e r d r iv e r s a n d
e c o n o m ic r e c e s s io n th a t h a s r e s u lte d in fe w e r d r iv e r s a n d
tolls and state funding cuts to its transit system.. The board
to lls a n d s ta te fu n d in g c u ts to its tr a n s it s y s te m T h e b o a r d
h a s a p p r o v e d a 3 3 -s te p p r o g r a m to k e e p th e d is tr ic t in th e
h a s a p p r o v e d a 3 3 -s te p p r o g r a m to k e e p th e d is tr ic t in th e
black,, but the strategies are conceptual.. Each item will have
b la c k b u t th e s tr a te g ie s a r e c o n c e p tu a l E a c h ite m w ill h a v e
to c o m e b a c k to th e b o a r d fo r d is c u s s io n a n d w ill b e v o te d
to c o m e b a c k to th e b o a r d fo r d is c u s s io n a n d w ill b e v o te d
on individually.. Toll collectors,, a staple of the bridge since it
o n in d iv id u a lly T o ll c o lle c to r s a s ta p le o f th e b r id g e s in c e it
opened in 1937,, appear ready to be phased out by the district..
o p e n e d in 1 9 3 7 a p p e a r r e a d y to b e p h a s e d o u t b y th e d is tr ic t
By 2013,, it would have all tolls on the span taken
B y 2 0 1 3 it w o u ld h a v e a ll to lls o n th e s p a n ta k e n
electronically..
e le c tr o n ic a lly
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S ta te p a r k a d v o c a te s s ta r te d th e ir q u e s t to g u a r a n te e
S ta te p a r k a d v o c a te s s ta r te d th e ir q u e s t to g u a r a n te e
funding for parks and other natural resources,, submitting a
fu n d in g fo r p a r k s a n d o th e r n a tu r a l r e s o u r c e s s u b m ittin g a
proposed initiative on Nov.. 3rd that would assess an $18 fee
p r o p o s e d in itia tiv e o n N o v 3 r d th a t w o u ld a s s e s s a n $ 1 8 fe e
on most vehicles registration beginning in 2011.. They
o n m o s t v e h ic le s r e g is tr a tio n b e g in n in g in 2 0 1 1 T h e y
estimate the fee would raise $500 million a year,, 85 per cent
e s tim a te th e fe e w o u ld r a is e $ 5 0 0 m illio n a y e a r 8 5 p e r c e n t
of which would go to parks.. All occupants of the vehicle
o f w h ic h w o u ld g o to p a r k s A ll o c c u p a n ts o f th e v e h ic le
would get free day-use access..
w o u ld g e t fr e e d a y -u s e a c c e s s
C a r in s u r a n c e b y th e ta n k fu ll? ? C a lifo r n ia m o v e d a s te p
C a r in s u r a n c e b y th e ta n k fu ll? ? C a lifo r n ia m o v e d a s te p
closer last month (Oct..) to a pay-as-you-drive policies that
c lo s e r la s t m o n th (O c t ) to a p a y -a s -y o u -d r iv e p o lic ie s th a t
c o u ld a llo w m o to r is ts to b u y in s u r a n c e lik e th e y d o g a s o lin e
c o u ld a llo w m o to r is ts to b u y in s u r a n c e lik e th e y d o g a s o lin e
– a little at a time.. Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner
– a little a t a tim e In s u r a n c e C o m m is s io n e r S te v e P o iz n e r
r e le a s e d r e g u la tio n s p e r m ittin g a n d a u th o r iz in g m ile a g e
r e le a s e d r e g u la tio n s p e r m ittin g a n d a u th o r iz in g m ile a g e
verification for pay-as-you-drive,, without dictating what
v e r ific a tio n fo r p a y -a s -y o u -d r iv e w ith o u t d ic ta tin g w h a t
form such plans must take.. The goal is to use per-mile
fo r m s u c h p la n s m u s t ta k e T h e g o a l is to u s e p e r -m ile
pricing to entice Californians not to drive so much,, thus
p r ic in g to e n tic e C a lifo r n ia n s n o t to d r iv e s o m u c h th u s
easing air pollution,, relieving traffic congestion and
e a s in g a ir p o llu tio n r e lie v in g tr a ffic c o n g e s tio n a n d
lowering the number of traffic collisions.. A first of its kind
lo w e r in g th e n u m b e r o f tr a ffic c o llis io n s A fir s t o f its k in d
plan is MileMeter,, available only in Texas,, which last year
p la n is M ile M e te r a v a ila b le o n ly in T e x a s w h ic h la s t y e a r
b e g a n o ffe r in g s ix m o n th p o lic ie s w ith c h u c k s o f in s u r e d
b e g a n o ffe r in g s ix m o n th p o lic ie s w ith c h u c k s o f in s u r e d
miles ranging from 1,,000 to 6,,000 miles.. When the “tank”
m ile s r a n g in g fr o m 1 0 0 0 to 6 0 0 0 m ile s W h e n th e “ ta n k ”
runs dry,, motorists buy more.. A more conventional pay as
r u n s d r y m o to r is ts b u y m o r e A m o r e c o n v e n tio n a l p a y a s
y o u d r iv e p la n m ig h t o ffe r a y e a r lo n g p o lic y b a s e d o n
y o u d r iv e p la n m ig h t o ffe r a y e a r lo n g p o lic y b a s e d o n
projected mileage,, then upon expiration,, provide a refund or
p r o je c te d m ile a g e th e n u p o n e x p ir a tio n p r o v id e a r e fu n d o r
r e b ill th e d r iv e r b a s e d o n a c tu a l m ile a g e a s v e r ifie d b y
r e b ill th e d r iv e r b a s e d o n a c tu a l m ile a g e a s v e r ifie d b y
odometer readings or an electronic device.. Under
o d o m e te r r e a d in g s o r a n e le c tr o n ic d e v ic e U n d e r
Proposition 103,, approved by voters two decades ago,,
P r o p o s itio n 1 0 3 a p p r o v e d b y v o te r s tw o d e c a d e s a g o
C a lifo r n ia in s u r a n c e p r e m iu m s a lr e a d y a r e b a s e d o n m ile s
C a lifo r n ia in s u r a n c e p r e m iu m s a lr e a d y a r e b a s e d o n m ile s
driven,, but insurers say they lack authority to adequately
d r iv e n b u t in s u r e r s s a y th e y la c k a u th o r ity to a d e q u a te ly
verify motorists’’ estimates,, thus resulting in an honor system
v e r ify m o to r is ts e s tim a te s th u s r e s u ltin g in a n h o n o r s y s te m
that is often abused..
th a t is o fte n a b u s e d
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S e a t b e lt fin e s
S e a t b e lt fin e s
F in e s fo r n o t w e a r in g a s e a t b e lt v a r y b y c o u n tie s in
F in e s fo r n o t w e a r in g a s e a t b e lt v a r y b y c o u n tie s in
California,, but can be very expensive.. If you are cited for
C a lifo r n ia b u t c a n b e v e r y e x p e n s iv e If y o u a r e c ite d fo r
having a minor in a vehicle not using a seat belt,, the fine may
h a v in g a m in o r in a v e h ic le n o t u s in g a s e a t b e lt th e fin e m a y
be $380 or more.. The reason is that the driver is an adult
b e $ 3 8 0 o r m o r e T h e r e a s o n is th a t th e d r iv e r is a n a d u lt
supervising a minor and allows the minor to be at risk..
s u p e r v is in g a m in o r a n d a llo w s th e m in o r to b e a t r is k
C B R a d io s
C B R a d io s
In C a lifo r n ia it is le g a l to u s e h a n d h e ld C B r a d io s o n ly if y o u
In C a lifo r n ia it is le g a l to u s e h a n d h e ld C B r a d io s o n ly if y o u
are driving a commercial truck,, farm vehicle or tow truck.. If
a r e d r iv in g a c o m m e r c ia l tr u c k fa r m v e h ic le o r to w tr u c k If
you’’re driving the family pickup truck,, it is not legal for the
y o u r e d r iv in g th e fa m ily p ic k u p tr u c k it is n o t le g a l fo r th e
driver to use the hand held CB..
d r iv e r to u s e th e h a n d h e ld C B
W A R N IN G - C a r P o o l L a n e s
W A R N IN G - C a r P o o l L a n e s
Carpool lanes rules are not excluded on weekday holidays..
C a r p o o l la n e s r u le s a r e n o t e x c lu d e d o n w e e k d a y h o lid a y s
Y o u m a y b e c ite d fo r d r iv in g in a c a r p o o l la n e o n a w e e k d a y
Y o u m a y b e c ite d fo r d r iv in g in a c a r p o o l la n e o n a w e e k d a y
holiday,, it will cost you $436 or more..
h o lid a y it w ill c o s t y o u $ 4 3 6 o r m o r e
Effective Jan..1stt,, all trucks built before 1994 will be barred
E ffe c tiv e J a n 1 s a ll tr u c k s b u ilt b e fo r e 1 9 9 4 w ill b e b a r r e d
from the ports in Los Angels and Long Beach,, as well as
fr o m th e p o r ts in L o s A n g e ls a n d L o n g B e a c h a s w e ll a s
trucks that have not been retrofitted to reduce emissions..
tr u c k s th a t h a v e n o t b e e n r e tr o fitte d to r e d u c e e m is s io n s
Retrofitting one truck can cost tens of thousands of dollars..
R e tr o fittin g o n e tr u c k c a n c o s t te n s o f th o u s a n d s o f d o lla r s
DELW ARE
DELW ARE
T h e s ta te is c u r r e n tly o ffe r in g 5 0 0 fiv e -d ig it C e n te n n ia l
T h e s ta te is c u r r e n tly o ffe r in g 5 0 0 fiv e -d ig it C e n te n n ia l
license plates to the general public.. The Division of Motor
lic e n s e p la te s to th e g e n e r a l p u b lic T h e D iv is io n o f M o to r
V e h ic le s s a id th e lim ite d -e d itio n p la te s w ill h a v e n u m b e r s
V e h ic le s s a id th e lim ite d -e d itio n p la te s w ill h a v e n u m b e r s
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from 15516 to 67857.. The numbers will be randomly
fr o m 1 5 5 1 6 to 6 7 8 5 7 T h e n u m b e r s w ill b e r a n d o m ly
assigned.. The plates will cost $100 and be available through
a s s ig n e d T h e p la te s w ill c o s t $ 1 0 0 a n d b e a v a ila b le th r o u g h
the end of the year.. Customers must also pay applicable fees..
th e e n d o f th e y e a r C u s to m e r s m u s t a ls o p a y a p p lic a b le fe e s
M A IN E
M A IN E
E n g in e e r s h a v e p r e s e n te d a p la n o n r e p la c in g th e N e w Y o r k
E n g in e e r s h a v e p r e s e n te d a p la n o n r e p la c in g th e N e w Y o r k
plaza on the Maine Turnpike with a modern facility.. Built in
p la z a o n th e M a in e T u r n p ik e w ith a m o d e r n fa c ility B u ilt in
1969,, the plaza is 15 years beyond its structural lifespan and
1 9 6 9 th e p la z a is 1 5 y e a r s b e y o n d its s tr u c tu r a l life s p a n a n d
its r o a d w a y a p p r o a c h e s a r e s in k in g in to th e s u r r o u n d in g
its r o a d w a y a p p r o a c h e s a r e s in k in g in to th e s u r r o u n d in g
wetlands.. The Authority wants a replacement facility that
w e tla n d s T h e A u th o r ity w a n ts a r e p la c e m e n t fa c ility th a t
would allow E-ZPass users to pay tolls at 55 mph to 65 mph..
w o u ld a llo w E -Z P a s s u s e r s to p a y to lls a t 5 5 m p h to 6 5 m p h
The state’’s Support Our Troops specialty license plate will be
T h e s ta te s S u p p o r t O u r T r o o p s s p e c ia lty lic e n s e p la te w ill b e
available at least for another year.. Secretary of State
a v a ila b le a t le a s t fo r a n o th e r y e a r S e c r e ta r y o f S ta te
Matthew Dunlap said that as of Nov.. 9tth,, sales of the plate,,
M a tth e w D u n la p s a id th a t a s o f N o v 9 h s a le s o f th e p la te
which became available in 2007,, reached 4,,017,, just over the
w h ic h b e c a m e a v a ila b le in 2 0 0 7 r e a c h e d 4 0 1 7 ju s t o v e r th e
4,,000 needed to keep the plates from being retired..
4 0 0 0 n e e d e d to k e e p th e p la te s fr o m b e in g r e tir e d
As the holidays approach,, Maine has kicked off the Survive
A s th e h o lid a y s a p p r o a c h M a in e h a s k ic k e d o ff th e S u r v iv e
Your Drive campaign to encourage safe driving habits.. The
Y o u r D r iv e c a m p a ig n to e n c o u r a g e s a fe d r iv in g h a b its T h e
c a m p a ig n fo c u s e s o n s e a t b e lt u s a g e a n d o b s e r v in g th e s p e e d
c a m p a ig n fo c u s e s o n s e a t b e lt u s a g e a n d o b s e r v in g th e s p e e d
limits and will be strictly enforced..
lim its a n d w ill b e s tr ic tly e n fo r c e d
M ASSACH USETTS
M ASSACH USETTS
The Turnpike Authority was eliminated on Nov.. 1stt.. Its
T h e T u r n p ik e A u th o r ity w a s e lim in a te d o n N o v 1 s Its
o p e r a tio n s h a v e b e e n m o v e d to a n e w h ig h w a y d iv is io n o f a
o p e r a tio n s h a v e b e e n m o v e d to a n e w h ig h w a y d iv is io n o f a
new state Department of Transportation.. Commuters have
n e w s ta te D e p a r tm e n t o f T r a n s p o r ta tio n C o m m u te r s h a v e
lo n g c o m p la in e d th e P ik e a n d its to lls h a v e o u tliv e d th e
lo n g c o m p la in e d th e P ik e a n d its to lls h a v e o u tliv e d th e
original bonds that built it..
o r ig in a l b o n d s th a t b u ilt it
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W Y O M IN G
W Y O M IN G
A petition calling for a citywide vote on Cheyenne’’s new ban
A p e titio n c a llin g fo r a c ity w id e v o te o n C h e y e n n e s n e w b a n
o n h a n d -h e ld c e llp h o n e s w h ile d r iv in g h a s fa ile d to g a th e r
o n h a n d -h e ld c e llp h o n e s w h ile d r iv in g h a s fa ile d to g a th e r
enough signatures.. The petition fell about 700 signatures
e n o u g h s ig n a tu r e s T h e p e titio n fe ll a b o u t 7 0 0 s ig n a tu r e s
short of the 2,,800 needed.. The ban took effect in September
s h o r t o f th e 2 8 0 0 n e e d e d T h e b a n to o k e ffe c t in S e p te m b e r
after the city council approved it..
a fte r th e c ity c o u n c il a p p r o v e d it
whaatsuup here and there
On Nov.. 16tth,, the Obama admiiniistratiion saiid iit wiillll purpose safety
O n N o v 1 6 h th e O b a m a a d m n s tra t o n s a d t w p u rp o s e s a fe ty
requiirements for llong-diistance buses,, iinclludiing seat bellts and
re q u re m e n ts fo r o n g -d s ta n c e b u s e s n c u d n g s e a t b e ts a n d
stronger roof standards.. A motorcoach safety pllan relleased by
s tro n g e r ro o f s ta n d a rd s A m o to rc o a c h s a fe ty p a n re e a s e d b y
the Natiionall Hiighway Traffiic Safety Admiiniistratiion calllls for iissuiing
the Nat ona H ghway Traff c Safety Adm n strat on ca s for ssu ng
a rulle by earlly next year on the iinstallllatiion of seat bellts..
a ru e b y e a r y n e x t y e a r o n th e n s ta a t o n o f s e a t b e ts
The Dutch government pllans to briing the polllluter-pays priinciiplle
T h e D u tc h g o v e rn m e n t p a n s to b r n g th e p o u te r-p a y s p r n c p e
iinto the home garage.. Rather than an annuall road tax for theiir
n to th e h o m e g a ra g e R a th e r th a n a n a n n u a ro a d ta x fo r th e r
cars,, driivers wiillll soon pay a few cents for every miille on the road,,
c a rs d r v e rs w s o o n p a y a fe w c e n ts fo r e v e ry m e o n th e ro a d
iin a pllan aiimed at breakiing chroniic traffiic jjams and cuttiing carbon
n a p a n a m e d a t b re a k n g c h ro n c tra ff c a m s a n d c u tt n g c a rb o n
emiissiions.. The GPS moniitoriing system coulld be a test case for
e m s s o n s T h e G P S m o n to r n g s y s te m c o u d b e a te s t c a s e fo r
other countriies weiighiing optiions for easiing crowded roads.. When
o th e r c o u n tr e s w e g h n g o p t o n s fo r e a s n g c ro w d e d ro a d s W h e n
the pllan takes effect iin 2012,, new car priices wiillll drop as much as
th e p a n ta k e s e ffe c t n 2 0 1 2 n e w c a r p r c e s w d ro p a s m u c h a s
25% wiith the abolliitiion of a purchase tax and road tax,, whiich now
2 5 % w th th e a b o t o n o f a p u rc h a s e ta x a n d ro a d ta x w h c h n o w
totalls more than $900 per year for a miid-siized car.. IInstead,, an
to ta s m o re th a n $ 9 0 0 p e r y e a r fo r a m d -s z e d c a r n s te a d a n
average passenger car wiillll pay the equiivallent of $0..07 per miille,,
a v e ra g e p a s s e n g e r c a r w p a y th e e q u v a e n t o f $ 0 0 7 p e r m e
wiith hiigher charges lleviied duriing rush hour and travelliing on
w th h g h e r c h a rg e s e v e d d u r n g ru s h h o u r a n d tra v e n g o n
congested roads.. Trucks,, commerciiall vehiiclles and biigger cars
congested roads Trucks commerc a veh c es and b gger cars
emiittiing more carbon diioxiide wiillll be assessed at a hiigher rate..
e m tt n g m o re c a rb o n d o x d e w b e a s s e s s e d a t a h g h e r ra te
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The GPS deviices iinstalllled iin the cars wiillll track the tiime,, hour and
T h e G P S d e v c e s n s ta e d n th e c a rs w tra c k th e t m e h o u r a n d
pllace each car moves and send the data to a biilllliing agency.. Many
p a c e e a c h c a r m o v e s a n d s e n d th e d a ta to a b n g a g e n c y M a n y
groups iin the U..S.. woulld lliike to see the same system here.. Some
g ro u p s n th e U S w o u d k e to s e e th e s a m e s y s te m h e re S o m e
states are testiing miilles driiven data usiing vollunteers..
s ta te s a re te s t n g m e s d r v e n d a ta u s n g v o u n te e rs
Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have
more female licensed drivers than male. The top 6
are: Oklahoma with 54.2%, Mississippi with 52.2%,
South Carolina – 52.0%, Georgia – 51.9%, Maryland –
51.6% and Ohio with 51.6%.
Americans use specialty license plates as mobile
Americans use specialty license plates as mobile
billboards for all kinds of causes,, but in New Jersey,,
billboards for all kinds of causes but in New Jersey
New York and Illinois,, motorists can’’t use the forum
New York and Illinois motorists can t use the forum
to voice their stand on the abortion debate.. Efforts to
to voice their stand on the abortion debate Efforts to
secure “Choose Life” license plates have hit
secure “Choose Life” license plates have hit
roadblocks in each state,, and the U..S.. Supreme
roadblocks in each state and the U S Supreme
Court’’s decision this month not to take up an appeal
Court s decision this month not to take up an appeal
from Illinois abortion opponents set the stage for
from Illinois abortion opponents set the stage for
continued state-by-state legal maneuvers.. Choose Life
continued state-by-state legal maneuvers Choose Life
supporters argue this is a recurring test of First
supporters argue this is a recurring test of First
Amendment rights.. Five U..S.. Circuit Courts have
Amendment rights Five U S Circuit Courts have
ruled on the matter,, each coming to different
ruled on the matter each coming to different
conclusions,, says Thomas Brejcha of the Thomas More
conclusions says Thomas Brejcha of the Thomas More
Society,, a law center that opposes abortion.. Planned
Society a law center that opposes abortion Planned
Parenthood has objected to the plates in numerous
Parenthood has objected to the plates in numerous
states for various reasons.. Groups that oppose
states for various reasons Groups that oppose
abortion have won approval for “Choose Life” in 24
abortion have won approval for “Choose Life” in 24
states,, most recently in Delaware,, New Mexico and
states most recently in Delaware New Mexico and
North Dakota..
North Dakota
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In November,, a federal judge ruled that South
In November a federal judge ruled that South
Carolina can not issue license plates that show the
Carolina can not issue license plates that show the
image of a cross in front of a stained glass window
image of a cross in front of a stained glass window
along with the phrase “I believe..” Judge Cameron
along with the phrase “I believe ” Judge Cameron
Currie said the license plate violates the separation of
Currie said the license plate violates the separation of
church and state.. Groups including Americans United
church and state Groups including Americans United
for Separation of Church and State and American-
for Separation of Church and State and American-
Arab Anti Discrimination Committee challenged the
Arab Anti Discrimination Committee challenged the
tags..
tags
MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN
D e s p ite s e c u r ity c o n c e r n s r a is e d b y o p p o n e n ts o f e n h a n c e d
D e s p ite s e c u r ity c o n c e r n s r a is e d b y o p p o n e n ts o f e n h a n c e d
driver’’s licenses,, Michigan residents have requested more
d r iv e r s lic e n s e s M ic h ig a n r e s id e n ts h a v e r e q u e s te d m o r e
than 80,,000 of the high-tech cards in the first 6 months of the
th a n 8 0 0 0 0 o f th e h ig h -te c h c a r d s in th e fir s t 6 m o n th s o f th e
program.. That’’s just over 1% of Michigan’’s 7..1 million
p r o g r a m T h a t s ju s t o v e r 1 % o f M ic h ig a n s 7 1 m illio n
registered motorists.. The state says it’’s a good showing for a
r e g is te r e d m o to r is ts T h e s ta te s a y s it s a g o o d s h o w in g fo r a
v o lu n ta r y p r o g r a m th a t c o s ts $ 2 0 m o r e th a n a r e g u la r
v o lu n ta r y p r o g r a m th a t c o s ts $ 2 0 m o r e th a n a r e g u la r
license..
lic e n s e
NEW YORK
NEW YORK
A network of security cameras,, license plate readers
A network of security cameras license plate readers
and weapons sensors intended to protect Lower
and weapons sensors intended to protect Lower
Manhattan from terrorists threats will be expanded
Manhattan from terrorists threats will be expanded
to Midtown,, The city will use $24 million in federal
to Midtown The city will use $24 million in federal
grants to install the system between 30th and 60tth
grants to install the system between 30th and 60 h
streets,, which includes such landmarks as Grand
streets which includes such landmarks as Grand
Central Terminal ,, Pennsylvania Station and the
Central Terminal Pennsylvania Station and the
United Nations buildings..
United Nations buildings
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Virginia
Virginia
The state Department of Transportation said it has
The state Department of Transportation said it has
increased snow-removal funding about $4 million and
increased snow-removal funding about $4 million and
will keep the state’’s roads clear this winter,, despite
will keep the state s roads clear this winter despite
cutbacks elsewhere in the agency’’s budget.. The
cutbacks elsewhere in the agency s budget The
department said it plans to have more than 3,,000
department said it plans to have more than 3 000
crewmembers,, 2,,300 pieces of equipment,, 62,,000 tons
crewmembers 2 300 pieces of equipment 62 000 tons
of sand and 239,,000 tons of salt..
of sand and 239 000 tons of salt
Many cities in other states have announced cutbacks
Many cities in other states have announced cutbacks
in snow removal on some city streets due to budget
in snow removal on some city streets due to budget
cuts and increased salt prices..
cuts and increased salt prices
Larry Becker
Larry Becker
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