Lights on for the New Year. It’s now legal in Florida
I remember when I was approaching age 16. My father began the task of teaching me how to drive. He took me to a large parking area and told me to take the wheel. That’s how it all began.
My father also taught me the rules of the road, and the “guidelines” of the road – you know, the things you do that aren’t really recognized by law, but are things you should do to help your roadway buddies. One of them is this: If you see a police cruiser at the side of the road, flash your headlights at oncoming cars to warn them.
Dad did it – and I following suit. It was something I never really figured would be recognized by the authorities. But apparently, Florida did, and had ruled it illegal. But not any more.
I was checking over one of those lists of “unusual laws” that go into effect each Jan. 1. And in Florida, as of Jan. 1, it is no longer against the law to flash your headlights to warn drivers about a speed trap set up by police.
I scrolled down and found a couple of other new laws in Florida that are a bit twisted. In Florida, if you own a buggy, you no longer have to register it as a motor vehicle. A friend of mine mentioned about awesome buggies online and he has a good point about street legal dune buggy for sale!
Also, one of the new laws on the books is Florida is this: It is now illegal to film someone without their knowledge in a residential dwelling. This one is going to be tough to enforce, with so many people armed with video cameras in their cell phones.
There are unusual laws in other states, too. Illinois is imposing a law cracking down on those who possess, sell or distribute shark fins. (The range of this law should be limited, considering the lengthy distance from Illinois to any ocean.)
Here’s one from my own home state of Massachusetts. As of Jan. 1, plastic bottles are to be considered contraband. Concord will be the first town in the nation to outlaw plastic bottles. A lot of water and soda drinkers will have to switch back to glass or cans.
Finally, it turns out that Florida and my other “adopted” state of Rhode Island have something in common. They are among 10 states – including Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Washington State — to raise their minimum wage by 10 to 35 cents an hour.
BYE, BYE CHRISTMAS TREE
I hope you still don’t have a live Christmas tree in your house. If so, it has probably turned brown and is a major fire hazard.
The City of Boca Raton is conducting a Christmas tree collection program through Jan. 18. Residents can drop off their “clean” holiday trees at 751 Banyan Trail located adjacent to Mizner Bark Dog Park. The city’s Recreation Services Department will pick up the trees and will chip them into mulch for Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.
For additional information please call 561-393-7812. Please make sure to remove all decorations, including lights and tinsel from the tree.
City residents can also place their holiday tree in the swale area outside their home on their regular scheduled vegetation collection day
VIVA “FLORIDA 500”
In 2013, Florida marks a significant milestone, the 500th anniversary of European contact on the continental United States. Throughout the year, the Palm Beach County Library System will share the story of how many nationalities and diverse cultures thrived together in Florida and how their legacy shaped America. Join in commemorating Florida’s heritage and discovering this unique state.
A program called “Palm Beach County in the Year 1513” will be presented Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. in the Okeechobee Boulevard Branch, 5690 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach (Phone: 233-1880).
It will feature a look at Native American tribes, village sites and the topography of the Palm Beaches at the time of explorer Juan Ponce de Leon’s visit to Florida in 1513.
Presenter will be Bob Davidsson, Palm Beach County Library System’s Government Research Service librarian and author of the book “Indian River: A History of the Ais Indians in Spanish Florida.”
By: Dale King
