California motorists who thought they could legally drive a hybrid solo in the carpool lane, starting today, will have to stay in the regular lanes -- for now.
Even though Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill to open the lanes as of today, the California Highway Patrol will still slap single-occupant hybrids with a $271 ticket because the federal government, which helped fund the carpool lanes, has not approved the measure.
So while most of the state's 959 bills that Schwarzenegger signed into law take effect today, this one is tied up in a political traffic jam.
Other laws starting with 2005 include:
* Requiring children younger than 6 or lighter than 60 pounds to be secured in the back seat of a car or truck, signed into law in 2003 by Gov. Gray Davis.
* Prohibiting swimmers from the rough sport of "teak surfing" -- hanging off boats to ride wakes.
* Giving women convicted of certain crimes before Aug. 29, 1996, a chance at court reconsideration if there is evidence of domestic violence.
Some laws will touch the lives of millions of Californians. The state's primary election will return to June after eight years of being held in March. Motorists are now required to turn on their headlights in the daytime when driving through rain.
Other legislation -- such as a ban on the declawing of lions, tigers and other exotic cats -- is narrower.
The full effect of some new laws is unclear. One allows cities and counties to decide whether to allow pharmacists to sell up to 10 hypodermic needles per customer without a prescription. Schwarzenegger said he signed the bill because he believed it would help prevent the spread of HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases.
In the Southland -- the nation's capital of freeway congestion -- the mere hope of cruising solo in diamond lanes has spurred some residents to buy hybrids, low-emission cars that run on both gasoline and electricity for better fuel efficiency.
"It's become a strong selling point," said Michael Norris, sales manager at Toyota Santa Monica, which sold more than 650 Priuses in 2004 and is one of the largest hybrid dealerships in the nation.
Many hybrid dealers now routinely mention the possibility of driving in carpool lanes as part of their sales pitch to customers, and some customers also call on their own to inquire about the new law.
"It's probably increased hybrid sales by an additional 10%," Norris said. "The carpool lane is a huge advantage."
