Strange new laws launched with the New Year

The New Year, 2013, brought US citizens some interesting new state laws. You might even call them odd. But, regardless of the name you’ll use, remember these laws took effect starting January 1.

Why strange new laws? Well, let me tell you about the Torbett’s Grease Law valid in North Carolina, law which specifies that it is a misdemeanor to steal used cooking oil. Now why on earth would anyone do that??? I mean, OK, you might be needy, but stealing cooking oil got so bad there that there was a law necessary? Moreover on the grease front, if the value of the stolen grease – or the grease plus its container – is worth more than $1,000 it becomes a felony.

Some laws however could be considered good news. For instance, in Florida starting the beginning of the year it is no longer illegal to flash your headlights in order to warn drivers about a speeding trap set by police. I know some people outside US who would want a similar law 😛

“Come 12:01 a.m. in Concord, Mass., plastic bottles will be considered contraband. Concord will be the first town in the nation to outlaw plastic bottles” we also find out from an ABC News article.

800 laws took effect in the first minute of 2013 in California too, one of them allowing driverless vehicles on the road, but specifying that a human must be present in the passenger’s seat of all these computer-driven cars. So, a person cannot be on the driver’s seat, but letting the computer drive the car? He or she must really be on the passenger seat? Hmm…. I wonder why:)

Illinois has a new bill which punishes those who posses, sell or distribute shark fins. In the same part of the USA, the Public Act 97-743 “imposes a fine of $1,000 on anyone who pops a wheelie on a motorcycle while speeding. While this law might upset some motorcyclists, the state is now giving them a free pass to go through red lights.”

In Wellington, Kan., there is a new law limiting the number of cats in a household to four.

See also  Incredible Building Projections - "3D" shows

Have you heard of strange laws in your country? What do you think about these odd laws in the USA?

Lori

I’m offering public relations, communications and image counseling in everyday life and I have a PR agency – PRwave INTERNATIONAL. I am passionate about reading, blogging (I also have a blog in Romanian) and traveling. Follow me on Twitter - @violetaloredana (Romanian) and @TravelMoments.

14 thoughts on “Strange new laws launched with the New Year

  • 4 January, 2013 at 12:15
    Permalink

    People take used cooking oil to run veg-oil converted cars. Usually a restaurant is happy to have you haul it away though, so they don’t have to pay to do it. But people do still steal it. (And can make quite a mess doing so) So that law makes sense.

    Shark fins are gathered by catching a shark, cutting off it’s fin and dumping it back in the water to die. The fin is used for soup. It’s just a mean thing to do and should be illegal.

    As for the cat law in Kansas, it is to help fight animal hoarding, which is symptom of mental illness.

    Letting people run red lights just seems stupid though.

    Reply
    • 4 January, 2013 at 17:05
      Permalink

      Yes, Rachel, I know about this use of the cooked oil, but stealing it? I mean, indeed, asking for it as many places and people would gladly provide for free, wouldn’t be a better solution? I just cannot believe that it had to get to this point, of actually issuying a bill 🙁

      As for sharks, it is a rather surprising place, as it isn’t near oceans. Though indeed, I know about what fins are used for – and it’s the same with elephants and other species killed for some parts of their bodies, including furr for clothing. It is simply sad – what was peculiar was the state as a place for that kind of contraband or whatever should we call it:)

      In regards to letting people run red lights I truly don’t agre either. Yes, I know some would want that law with not being a problem to signal other vehicles, but running red light, regardless of the type of means of transportations used, I think it isn’t good.

      Reply
  • 29 April, 2014 at 13:37
    Permalink

    How could you concentrate should you’re always worried about
    when clients can pay miley cyrus vip tickets price [Buymileycyrustickets.com]
    if you frequently attend services at the
    particular church, make a meeting to communicate with your pastor or reverend.

    Reply
  • Pingback: Trackback

  • Pingback: Info

  • Pingback: Trackback

  • Pingback: hefalimp cardijon

  • Pingback: blucarpet.com

  • 1 August, 2014 at 07:59
    Permalink

    I am really enjoying the theme/design of your weblog.

    Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues?
    A few of my blog audience have complained about my site
    not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.

    Do you have any solutions to help fix this problem?

    Reply
  • 1 August, 2014 at 12:37
    Permalink

    I will immediately take hold of your rss
    feed as I can not to find your email subscription link or newsletter service.
    Do you have any? Kindly allow me know so that
    I may subscribe. Thanks.

    My web site; backyard landscape design ideas

    Reply
  • 28 August, 2014 at 14:03
    Permalink

    CenterPoint Energy had about 6,900 businesses and homes still without electricity this afternoon as crews worked to regenerate power. Nearly 45,000 customers had lost electricity Saturday night.

    Reply
  • Pingback: penn foster exam answers

  • 3 November, 2014 at 09:33
    Permalink

    On Sunday afternoon, February 26, Krickstein popularized the courts against Carlos Moya, 1998 French Open champion plus a an affiliate Spain’s 2004 winning Davis Cup team, topped the South African Airways rankings within the ATP Champions Tour next year. Connection between the match were 64, 64 with Moya defeating Krickstein and getting to become the first player to get a spot within the finals

    Reply
  • Pingback: parachute soulac

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Wordpress Social Share Plugin powered by Ultimatelysocial