Q&A on the News

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC

Q: When do the new seat-belt laws affecting pickup trucks go into effect?

-- S.A. Collins, Austell

A: The change to the seat-belt law was effective upon the governor’s signature on June 3, Georgia State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright told Q&A on the News. The law removed an exemption for pickup truck drivers, requiring them to wear their seat belts. He said any law enforcement officer can issue a citation for the violation now, but Georgia State Patrol troopers will be using the next few weeks to educate pickup truck drivers about the change during traffic stops and issuing warnings to them in most cases. Wright said citations will be given beginning in early August. The grace period is for pickup truck seat-belt violations and does not extend to passenger cars, he said.

Q: Why has the widget in Delta’s logo changed colors from the longtime red-white-blue to solid red?

-- Jim Ouzts, Fayetteville

A: The logo was most recently changed in 2007, and is not solid red but two different color reds, Leslie Parker, spokeswoman for Delta Air Lines, told Q&A on the News. She said the Delta logo has changed numerous times over the history of the airline. “Our marketing department is always innovating and looking for ways to make our brand stand out,” she wrote in an e-mail.

Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).