Don’t ride in the trunk of your car

Don't ride in the trunk of your car

Judging by all the new laws going into effect for 2007, it seems Big Brother is watching out for you.

During the 2006 legislative session, almost 1,400 bills were passed and more than 900 signed into law--including 145 changes to the California Vehicle Code.

Among the new laws about to go into effect is one that mandates increased penalties for street racing and another that increases the suspension of a driver's license to 10 months for first-time DUI offenders with a blood-alcohol content of 0.20 percent. New legislation also requires the DMV to report DUI convictions on a public driving record for 10 years. The current reporting period is seven years.

The following is a summary of some of the new laws that in most cases will take effect Jan. 1.

+The California Wireless Telephone Act will prohibit motorists from driving while using a handheld cellphone. This law will go into effect July 1, 2008.

+It will be an infraction to allow a person to ride in the trunk of a car. The new law slaps a $100 fine on teen drivers and other potential violators.

+Vehicle manufacturers are required to give owners access to the codes required to replace a lost entry key. In other words, regular locksmiths and not just dealers can now replicate sophisticated locking devices.

+Computer vendors, vehicle manufacturers and other entities will no longer have access to a motor vehicle dealer's computer system to gain information about the dealer's customers. The law is designed to prevent "data mining" from a dealer's database without the dealer's consent.

+A court can suspend driving privileges for up to two years for individuals convicted of a graffiti violation.

+The new minimum wage law raises the minimum wage in California from the current $6.75 per hour. The law sets the increases to $7.50 an hour effective in 2007; and $8 an hour effective in 2008.

+Nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and physicians' assistants will be allowed to certify a disability for the purpose of issuing a disabled placard.

+Registered domestic partners can file joint state income tax and have their earnings treated as community property on a par with married couples.

+Public school students are required to have a dental examination when they go to kindergarten or first grade unless their parents object.

+And last but not "leash," it will be against the law to leave a dog unattended in a vehicle or tethered to a post, tree or other stationary object for long periods of time.