DRIVERS across the country are being hit with a rash of new laws in just one week, and could face major fines and even jail time if they don’t quickly change their habits behind the wheel.
These new laws are going into effect after yet another state implemented a new so-called “touch law,” fining drivers upwards of $100 for violations.
“Touch laws” have been implemented in several states across the US[/caption]
Drivers have been banned from even touching their phones while driving in over 30 states[/caption]
The touch laws effectively ban motorists from using their mobile devices while behind the wheel, with only a few circumstantial exceptions, in over 30 states.
The coming weeks will see many other laws reshape road rules nationwide, dealing with everything from speeding and reckless driving to how DUIs are prosecuted.
Current motorists will even find themselves forced not only back into the classroom, but also into a car with their parents.
Drivers all across America are best served brushing up on these seven upcoming laws and their punishments, which could see drivers lose their license, pay hundreds of dollars in fines, and more.
$100 FINE FOR ‘TOUCH’ LAW
South Carolina’s “touch” law went into effect on Monday, banning motorists from holding or handling their phones while behind the wheel.
Drivers must instead use hands-free methods for any and all cell phone functions.
The only exception to the new law is when a car is parked or stopped, you’re reporting emergencies, or for navigation and audio purposes – as long as the device isn’t being held.
Although warnings will be issued for the first six months, fines and tickets will come after as part of the state’s efforts to create a cultural shift in favor of safer driving practices.
Exactly 32 states have some sort of touch law in place, with South Carolina being the latest to join these ranks.
While there are some holdouts, touch laws’ continuous enactment suggests it’s only a matter of time until every state has one of its own.
SCHOOL ZONE SURVEILLANCE
A new road law in Florida’s Miami-Dade County has led to the installation of speed cameras outside more than a dozen schools.
The cameras will be active from 30 minutes before to 30 minutes after each school day starts and ends.
Drivers flying by at speeds 10 mph or more over will receive an instant $100 fine from September 14 onward.
Violators will only have 30 days to pay or fight the fine.
Upcoming laws and their dates
These seven laws are the biggest American drivers need to know about
- South Carolina’s touch law went into effect on September 1, but there is a warning period in effect for its first 180 days; after this period ends, violators will be ticketed and be hit with hefty fines
- Florida’s Miami-Dade County area school zone speed cameras are already active, with their warning period ending on September 14
- Ohio’s 50 hour law will force drivers aged 18, 19, and 20 back into the classroom and practice cars starting on September 30, regardless of how pristine their driving history is
- Oklahoma’s new yield law aimed at protecting motorcyclists from injury or worse goes into effect on November 1, and will see those refusing to yield right of way hit with several potential punishments
- Philadelphia puts speed cameras on one of its busiest and most central thoroughfares on September 15, with a 60 day warning period starting on this date to give motorists time to adjust
- Shelton, Connecticut’s AI-powered school bus cameras are already looking out for reckless drivers, with a warning period underway that ends on September 29
- Oklahoma’s Marissa Murrow Act goes into effect on November 1, and will reform both how DUI offenders are punished and how state bartenders are trained
And repeat offenders will instead be slapped with a $200 ticket.
FORCED DRIVER’S ED
The end of September will see Ohio force all adult drivers under 21 years of age, regardless of driving record or history, back into driver’s ed classrooms and cars, as well as practice sessions with their parents.
Those affected by the new law will need to record 50 hours of adult-supervised driving, 10 of which have to be at night.
Drivers hit with this law will also need to clock 24 hours of classroom lessons and an additional 8 hours driving with an instructor to get their licenses.
This notably eliminates the state’s fast-track route for adults under 21 to get their licenses by taking the road test as many times as it takes until passing.
It will also force those affected to spend up to $400 on the appropriate courses, which Ohio resident Gabe Crenshaw called “a significant cost,” per the Ohio Capital Journal.
MONEY FOR MOTORCYCLISTS
Oklahoma has passed a new law that promises that car drivers refusing to yield right of way to motorcyclists will be hit with fees and more if they resultantly cause great bodily injury or fatality.
The new law aims to protect motorcyclists, who lack the metal shell of safety a car inherently provides.
It will even see the $500 fines issued by it reinvested into the state’s Motorcycle Safety and Education Program fund.
Drivers may even be forced to provide restitution payments to the injured/deceased in question.
If found guilty of violating the new law, drivers can also be forced to take remedial driving courses and may have their license taken away for 90 days.
VISION ZERO SPEED CAMERAS
Drivers in Philadelphia should be wary of a serious rollout of new speed cameras on one of the city’s most important and busiest main thoroughfares which provides access to major sports venues like Lincoln Financial Field.
These cameras go live on September 15, but will offer a 60-day warning period to offenders before sending out $100 fines per violation.
The cameras will ticket anyone going 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit.
Broad Street is the city’s most dangerous street per a 2024 report from Vision Zero Philadelphia, a campaign that aims to make city roads safer.
The road inherited this notorious title from Roosevelt Boulevard, North Philadelphia’s main thoroughfare, which saw massive drops in speeding tickets issued, and pedestrian-involved and serious injury crashes following speed camera installation.
AI FOR RECKLESS DRIVERS
Shelton, Connecticut has started using AI-powered school bus cameras to catch reckless drivers refusing to stop for the vehicles.
68 speed cameras are set to be installed at the end of September.
The cameras will record images, video, and license plate details of drivers who pass a stopped school bus despite its extended stop signs and flashing lights.
A 30-day grace period is currently underway, but drivers will face a minimum fine of $250 once it ends on September 29, with repeat offenders set to face harsher penalties.
HARSHER DUI PUNISHMENTS
A new act going into effect in Oklahoma will chiefly seek to hit drivers convicted of a DUI with felony charges if they’re caught speeding, causing a crash, or transporting alcohol to a minor. Repeat offenders will face harsher consequences.
The new legislation will also reform how frequently bartenders are trained and require specific licenses for bartenders working at event venues.
Known officially as the Marissa Murrow Act, the law will go into effect in November.
It was written around the tragedy that took the life of its namesake, Marissa Murrow, when the 19-year-old was hit and killed by a driver under the influence after being overserved at a wedding.
While all of these laws affect different aspects of the driving experience, they all have the same goal in mind: making roadways safer for pedestrians and motorists alike.
Motorcyclists are now more protected under a new yield law in Oklahoma[/caption]
Speed cameras have also started popping up along roads all over US cities and towns, including Philadelphia[/caption]
