Several new laws citizens need to be aware of went into effect on Jan. 1.

New car seat laws aimed at lowering the death rate of children in car collisions will now require that children up to two years old be secured in a rear-facing car seat.

Children ages two to four must ride in a car seat with a harness.

Children four and older must ride in a car or booster seat until they are 4 feet, 9 inches tall.

When taller than 4 feet, 9 inches, children can ride with a properly fitted seat belt and children up to 13 years old must ride in the back seat when it is practical to do so.

Increased penalties for non-passing vehicles driving in the passing lane, failing to yield or following too closely have also been enacted when the violation involves a “vulnerable user of a public way.”

A vulnerable user is defined as a pedestrian, a person riding an animal, or a person operating a tractor, bicycle, electric bicycle or scooter, a moped, a motorcycle or an electric assistive mobility device.

New laws for tobacco have also gone into effect. On Jan. 1 Washington became the ninth state to raise the purchasing age for tobacco products to 21. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said this move is designed to prevent 18- to 20-year-olds from purchasing tobacco products for younger teens and attempt to reduce the youth populations tobacco addiction rates.