The start of the new year typically means a host of automotive safety and traffic laws being added to the books. As you drive into 2013, be aware of these new laws in your state and surrounding areas and how they could affect your driving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently trying to push through their final rule by Dec. 31st to require backup cameras on all vehicles. Last February, the rule was delayed to the end of the year. If it does pass, all new vehicles will be required to have a back up camera by 2014. A number of new models, especially SUVs, are already making these helpful cameras standard.
On New Year's Day, Maine will strengthen their teen graduated driver licensing law to extend the intermediate phase of driving when teens cannot drive passengers or drive at night. The law will increase the time from six months to nine months, so the earliest a teen can have a full unrestricted license is at age 16 and 9 months.
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Aww, does this mean young drivers are a concern? Of course it does.
ReplyDeleteOut standing. Should read 18 or 19yr of age to apply for learners permit in all states.
ReplyDeleteBack up cameras are a good idea. Every year the back window and mirrors get smaller and smaller.
Hopefully we will soon se some new laws for older drivers, such as periodic re-testing and more frequent physicals. Elderly drivers pose a real risk to others.
ReplyDeleteHopefully we will soon se some new laws for older drivers, such as periodic re-testing and more frequent physicals. Elderly drivers pose a real risk to others.
ReplyDeleteJanuary 1, 2013 3:24 PM
That is true and a valid point. But most good experienced drivers make allowances for such drivers, and other hazards such as the young inexperienced and impatient drivers.
Young, inexperienced drivers are just that by definition. It will never change until they become older and more experienced.
While the very old drivers can cause bad situations to be worse, usually they are more of an annoyance than anything else. Usually going too slow.
Whereas the opposite is true for the younger driver. They tend to drive fast, weave, tailgate and other dangerous maneuvers.
Quick reflexes on their part is what saves many of them from bad outcomes which they usually initiate.
Others aren't so lucky.