Road rules to live by

The new year brings with it new laws for drivers. The muchtalked-about law requiring motorists to use only hands-free cellphones behind the wheel goes into effect July 1, as does a law that prohibits teens under 18 from using their cellphones while driving.

As of Jan. 1, drivers who smoke with children in the car may be fined up to $100, and those applying for or renewing a driver's license must now sign a statement acknowledging they could be charged with murder if someone dies as a result of the applicant's driving under the influence.

The list goes on.

Each of these laws, in its own way, was made to encourage safer driving by California motorists. Most are reasonable and easy to follow.

The problem, though, is the long list of existing rules of the road that many drivers fail to follow on a daily basis.

No driver is faultless. For every ticket given, there are statistically hundreds of infractions committed.

But when it comes to rules of the road, there are some that should be considered unbreakable- the California drivers' Ten Commandments, so to speak.

1. Don't speed (especially in the rain).

2. Buckle up.

3. Don't drink and drive.

4. Motorcyclists must wear helmets.

5. Give the car ahead at least one car length for every 10 miles per hour of speed.

6. Limit in-car distractions, i.e. drinking a latte while calling home.

7. Slow down in school zones and for roadside construction crews.

8. If possible, pull into the adjoining lane to help avoid emergency vehicles parked on the shoulder of the road, i.e., a police car or tow truck.

9. Immediately pull over to the right side of the road for emergency vehicles with flashing lights. Stay 300 feet behind fire, ambulance or police vehicles responding to an emergency.

10. When a school bus' red lights are flashing, stop.

Here's to a safe 2008, Camarillo. See you on the road.