By: Hettie Basil Lighttower

Last week we went over some ways we can make a difference in our small corner of the world and that change is inevitable. Lots of changes are happening fast globally and it is difficult to keep up some days with the nightly news and retain it all.
Just keep in mind to always find time in your day to de-compress and find ways to alleviate stress. This is going to be more and more important as time marches on. The changes are not going to stop coming. New technologies are being created every day. Some good. Some questionable. There are even new rules and regulations pertaining to our privilege of driving. Check out what happened in March of 2026:
You may or may not have been aware of these changes in the laws of the road. They have not been broadcasted very readily. These new rules will end up costing some of us a hefty fine if we do not heed. And the kicker is you don’t even have to be pulled over or know that you have been “caught” going against the rules, until you receive the bill in the mail.
You see, there are many many cameras and drones now days being used against us. We have come to the cross in the road where it is us against technology or robotics. We are here. We are all being surveyed and monitored each time we leave our home. Remember that “reality show” called Big Brother?? Well Big Brother just graduated from graduate school and has a bigger diploma now with more letters after his name. An alarming part of all this is that these monitoring devices never sleep, they are always watching and recording, they lack discretion and are active now in all 50 states.
Here’s what you may or may not know already pertaining to new laws in March that are now in effect:
First new rule: Compliance with proper condition of your event data recording(EDR) device which is found in all vehicles made from 2018 and on. If your device is found faulty and not working properly it can be an automatic $750 fine! Do you even know about this device? Make sure it is working. No one needs this extra expense when driving along and it is detected by other technology to not be working. This is linked to insurance purposes mainly. This feature is good in most ways because it makes your vehicle an “evidence machine” especially in the case of an accident and proving who was at fault during a difficult decision to determine that. It will be a standard part of inspection now as of March 2026.
Next new rule implemented in March of this year is: There is now a national insurance database that tells an officer immediately when your plate is scanned or put into the system as to whether your insurance is up to date or not. It can not be lapsed for even a day or it will be an automatic fine. So basically your insurance card is now obsolete because your insurance is now linked to this plate scanner on a national level. First offense is $1000 in most states. Second offense can be $500 and suspension of your license. So stay up to date.
Thirdly, in place now is automated cellphone detection. This means that the new traffic lights that have been being installed are now super powered to detect your body position, phone position (whether it is in its holder or in your hand), phone screen light, and tell whether or not you are scrolling or using your phone at the light at the intersection. You now are not permitted as of March to be using your phone at all while sitting at a light. These traffic lights can now videotape and store the proof with time stamp and generate a letter of violation and fines can be up to $1000 on first violation. You will just receive a bill in the mail.
You know how the toll roads are these days especially going to the Pittsburgh airport, how the machine takes your picture of the license plate and sends you a bill? Well it will work very similar to that. No police officer to talk to and explain the emergency you had and needed to answer you phone while in traffic. No police officer to dodge and quickly put your phone down. You will just simply be recorded and fined. It will be very difficult to fight against the penalty. And these are installed in over 300 largest cities in the US currently and more will continue to be installed. So in our little town of Wellsburg I don’t think it is a concern quite yet. But we need to be inquiring with our city powers at be and find out what our situation is here. However, if you travel and are in big cities for any reason business or pleasure, you will want to keep these rules in mind that use of your phone or even posture of use of your phone could be an issue an cost you money.
Ok, I can’t take any more. I will have to talk about the other two new rules of March (the Ides of March) next week.
Send in your notions and comments to [email protected]. And remember, kindness is contagious~*