New laws mark beginning of new year

Jan. 1 was not only the day of recovering from revelry and renewing resolutions, but also the day for new laws in many communities nationwide, including Delaware.

On New Year’s Day, Delaware law saw at least two significant changes go into effect — one that affects every driver on the road and another that will be important news for both business owners and lower-wage workers.

State Senate Bill 331, signed into law this summer by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, requires motorists to yield to the right-of-way to a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing red; red and white; or red, white and blue lights.

That yielding of the right-of-way is required to be done by either changing to a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle or reducing the speed of the vehicle if a lane change would be impossible or unsafe.

New legislation enacted last year also affected the state’s minimum wage, pulling it up to a compromise mark of $6.65 — up from the previous mark of $6.15 but short of the $7-plus figure that some states raised their minimum wages to on Jan. 1. The minimum wage is set to get another hike in 2008, to $7.15.

The federal minimum wage, still at $5.15 and unchanged since 1997, is also expected to be considered for an increase in the coming legislative session. Proposals would increase that rate to $7.25 and supersede Delaware’s new wage marks.