Unless you’ve been driving on the freeway with your head down, thumbing through your cell phone, then you should have seen the electronic freeway signs telling drivers that using your cell phone to send text messages is a no-no as of Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009. That’s just one of several new laws that came into effect with the new year. If you’re caught text messaging while driving, it carries a minimum fine of $20 to $50, apart from local court costs and other fees, according to a statement on the California Department of Motor Vehicles Web site. The law is an extension to the “hands free” law that started July 1, 2008. The law mandates motorists to use a hands-free device to talk and drive, said California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Eric Newbury. With the new rules in place, police are looking for people fiddling repeatedly with their phone while on the on the road. GPS mapping systems with big screens obstructing a driver’s view are also prohibited, he said. “Slowly but surely, [legislators] are realizing that anything that takes your attention off the road is potentially dangerous,” Newbury said. He said it opens “Pandora’s box” for possible legislation addressing eating and putting on make-up while behind the wheel. Also, tougher punishments for repeat drunk drivers aim to make life miserable for those caught driving under the influence, he said. Police can write a citation or impound a vehicle if they catch somebody on probation for a previous drunk-driving charge with any amount of alcohol in their system, he said. It can result in an automatically suspended driver’s license. Other laws that took effect this year include tougher regulations for those trying to sell recyclable materials. Sellers have to show identification, give a thumbprint and receive payment by check after three days, according to Robin Faulkner, owner of Pacific Beach Recycling. The new rule applies to those selling material such as copper, according to the text of the bill. Although certified by the State of California, Faulkner said she doesn’t deal in scrap metal and so doesn’t have a license filed with the city to sell scrap. The new regulation is intended to prevent copper and scrap metal thieves from selling stolen recyclables, she said. Last year, the city saw a rash of copper and scrap metal thefts hit schools and construction sites around the city. “Back when copper was over $3 a pound … people were stealing everything. A lot of people lost their [business] licenses,” she said. Every year California legislators pass hundreds of laws. A full list of all the bills signed or vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger can be found at www.gov.ca/issue.