The rules of the road were among the most altered areas of law this year.
In addition to the widely publicized texting ban, teens won't be able to obtain a driver's license until age 18, or three months later than previously allowed, and they now must be 16 1/2 years old to get a provisional license. New drunken-driving laws aimed at repeat offenders include a mandatory one-year license suspension for those with two arrests within five years.
Another state law allows local governments to put speed cameras near schools or work zones. Officials highlighted the law Wednesday at a news conference overlooking the construction site where workers are building the interchange of Interstate 95 and the Intercounty Connector.
State Highway Administrator Neil J. Pedersen said speed cameras would be up and running at the site today, issuing warnings to violators who go more than 12 mph above the posted speed limit. The law grants a 30-day warning period before $40 fines can be imposed.
The ICC site is one of three large-project work zones where the state is initially deploying speed cameras. The others are at the Beltway and Charles Street, the site of a bridge replacement project, and the express toll lane project on Interstate 95 between I-895 and White Marsh Boulevard.
Baltimore Sun reporter Michael Dresser contributed to this article.
Partial list of new laws
Among the new laws taking effect today:
* New judicial authority to confiscate guns from domestic abusers
* An increase in unemployment benefits
* Ban on texting while driving
* Authorization of speed cameras
* Bill raising age at which teens can get a driver's license
* Restrictions on when prosecutors can seek the death penalty
* Legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent
- Baltimore Sun staff
