NEW LAWS GREET START OF SUMMER

The smell of fireworks smoke mixed with the scent of change on Canada
Day this year, as several new laws came into force.

A provincial law aimed at protecting children expands the use of child
safety seats in cars.

All children must now be seated in a booster seat until they are nine
years old or are 4'9" tall. Adults are responsible for ensuring that
children in any car they drive have booster and car seats appropriate
for their age and weight.

Holding adults responsible for the welfare of children in their care
is a no-brainer. Stiff penalties for those who cause injuries through
inaction are not a bad idea.

The law may be a little on the technical side, however. Will police
have the resources to check the weight, height, and age of children
during traffic stops? The law will catch the worst offenders, those
who are reckless with their children, but likely won't be the cause of
too many tickets.

Those causing even more danger on the roads are also now liable for
new searches. A new federal law allows the police to order those they
suspect of drug impairment to take a roadside test or even give blood,
urine, or saliva samples.

The outrage from heavy pot users is almost palpable. Or it was, before
they forgot what they were doing and wandered off to find a snack.

Of course, both of these new laws may be less important now that the
B.C. carbon emissions tax hits the books the same day, mysteriously
causing gas prices to jump by far more than just 2.3 cents per litre.
Fewer people will be driving while stoned, or with their children
rolling around loose in the back seat, if they can't afford to drive
at all.