Did You Know...

01-03-08 Once again another year has passed with 2007 giving way to 2008. Unfortunately Mother nature hit us hard at the end of 2007 and doesn't seem to be done with us yet. If it's not the rain and wet roads it's the snow and ice. Driving has not been very fun in the Vernonia area. Please be patient and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination or at least to get down off the hill to better road conditions. Make sure you have the proper tires or traction devices and check road conditions by dialing 511 or 1-800-977-ODOT (6368), or you can check <www.tripcheck.com> on the internet. Make sure to have blankets, shovel, candles, some snack foods, and water just in case something would happen and you become stranded. 2008 brings with it a bevy new laws that we all should be aware of. The following are some of the highlights to be aware of. I also put a link called "New 2008 Laws" on the VPD website as well. -HB 2872 (Teen Cell Phone) prohibits drivers under 18 from using a cell phone if they have a provisional driver's license or a special student or instruction driver permit. This is a secondary offense and can't be the primary reason for a stop. -HB 2147, 2148 (Teen Alcohol) makes 18, 19, & 20yr olds subject to automatic license suspensions for alcohol offenses and creates the Class A violation of underage person in possession of alcohol while driving. -HB 2774 (Ignition Interlock) requires an ignition-interlock device on the cars of people convicted of drunken driving for one year for the 1st offense and two years for a second or subsequent offense. -HB 2321 (Fail to Pay) doubles the automatic license suspension for failing to pay a fine or appear in a traffic-related court proceeding from 5yrs to 10yrs. -HB 2740 (New Crime) creates new crime of aggravated vehicular homicide and expands 1st degree manslaughter and 1st degree assault to situations involving drunken drivers who kill or seriously injure someone. -HB 2895 (Reports to Police) requires health care provider to notify police within 5 days if the provider reasonably thinks that a person who receives treatment after a crash if the blood-alcohol content of .08% or greater, disclosed through a blood test. -SB 101 (ATV's) makes new requirements to include age-size restrictions aimed at keeping kids off adult-size machines. -HB 3026 (Metals) updates legislation to attack the problem of methamphetamine users stealing metals, selling the materials for scrap, and using the proceeds to buy illegal drugs. -SB 447 & 464 (Identity Theft) adds "living or deceased" to definition of a person whose identity is used by someone and creates crime of aggravated identity theft if defendant commits i.d. theft 10 or more times in 180 days, amount stolen exceeds $10,000, or has 10 or more pieces of identification from 10 or more different people. SB 447 is Class C Felony and SB 464 is a Class B Felony. These are just a few highlights of the new laws going into affect. There was also legislation governing indoor smoking, deposits on water bottles, and new nutrition standards on food and beverages sold in public schools. For a more complete listing please visit the "New 2008 Laws" link on the VPD website at <http://vpd.vernonia-or.gov>