Several new state laws affect motorists, vehicle registration

Tuesday, June 10, 2003 | 9:27 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada's drunken driving law will be stiffened, more children will be required to be strapped in safety seats in vehicles and passengers in taxicabs will have to buckle up.

Those are only a few of the results of scores of bills dealing with motor vehicles and highway safety that passed the regular session of the Legislature that ended last week. The Legislature continues in special session.

The Legislature agreed to reduce the blood-alcohol level for drivers from 0.10 to 0.08 to prove drunken driving.

Also, children under 6 or weighing under 60 pounds will be required to be in safety seats, and passengers in taxis could face $25 fines if they are not wearing their seat belt when the cab is pulled over by police.

Among other new laws resulting from vehicle-related bills passed by the Legislature:

A bill to repeal Nevada's motorcycle helmet law died in the Legislature, as did a bill that would have permitted law enforcement officers to use cameras at intersections to nab motorists who are speeding or running red lights.