Come January 1st, you will have a few new things to think about while behind the wheel including the latest change to the cell phone laws.
It allows drivers to send and listen to text messages as long as they don't have to touch the phone.
Despite the change officers and many others would prefer if drivers waited to text.
If you get caught taking or texting while driving, you won't have to search too hard for your proof of insurance.
That's because another law allows drivers to provide proof of insurance on their smartphones.
Hospitals and medical clinics will be required to talk with parents of children under eight about the places they can go to learn about proper installation and use of car seats.
Other changes bring consistency to the operation of red-light cameras at intersections, prevent drivers from moving or covering their license plates, and allow clean air vehicles to use high occupancy toll lanes.
The most forward looking rule impacts cars that don't actually need a driver.
Senate Bill 1298 allows driverless cars to operate on public roads for testing purposes, as long as the operator is properly licensed, bonded and prepared to take control if necessary.
The new law doesn't mean you'll necessarily see the computer driven cars next to you on the road, because the DMV is still drawing up rules for licensing of the driverless vehicles.
One of the biggest changes isn't set to take effect until 2014. That's when DUI charges will be split into two categories to help track the prevalence of drugged driving versus drunk driving.
