This January several new laws have been put into effect which deals with everything from animal safety, DUI convictions, street racing, and minimum wage. Several of the laws were just created as well as some that simply increase the consequence of breaking said laws. Also, a controversial minimum wage increase is one that many people welcome with open arms.

Somewhere out there a police officer is polishing his handcuffs ready to bust someone on one of the several new laws that are coming into effect this January. Two new laws, which should make people think twice about drinking and driving, are a law which will keep DUI convictions on a person’s record for an extra three years for a total of ten, and a zero tolerance law regarding underage drinking and driving. The law states that anyone under the age of 21 found with a BAC (blood alcohol content) of .01 will face criminal charges opposed to the previous .05.

One of the crazier laws is one which imposes a fine on people (teens) who ride in the trunk of cars. This law, aimed at teens who aren’t supposed to carry passengers due to license restrictions, will require anyone who is caught riding in the trunk of a car, as well as the driver, to pay a fine of $100.

Some animal oriented laws include one that it will make it illegal to leave a dog tethered to a stationary place when off road. People who leave the dog tethered for “hours and hours” will face harsher penalties such as increased fines. Another animal friendly law will make it a misdemeanor to leave any animal in a car if doing so puts its health in harms way. Though the latter was already a crime, the new law simply steps it up from the previous years in which it was considered a lesser crime.

Then there are other, more understandable laws such as the one against street racing. A warning to all street racers (you know who you are) because another new law is going to make street racing a felony with first time offenders being faced with fines and possible jail time. Obviously geared towards making our streets safer, this law will mostly affect teens that enjoy the fast and dangerous sport. Another more appreciated law is the new minimum wage law. This law means an extra seventy-five cents bringing minimum wage from $6.75 to $7.50. Though this law will put more money in worker’s pockets, many people argue that it will have little to no effect as stores, restaurants, and other companies will have to raise their prices due to inflation.

Lastly, a new law making it illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving will be implemented in February of 2008. Though the law may seem harsh especially for busy people who like to multitask, it will have its exceptions. For example, phones that are hooked up to a Bluetooth headset or have some other form of hands-free device will be permitted to be utilized while driving. Other exceptions which will probably include emergency situations may be created before the activation of the law next year. So those of you who don’t’ own Bluetooth capable phones or didn’t find it necessary should start saving up.