Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety
California joins other states with hands-free cellphone law
California joined thirty-two other states today when a new law banning unlimited cellphone use in automobiles went into effect at midnight. The new rules prohibit drivers from holding cellphones to their ears while talking, yet they are still allowed to dial the phone to place the call... and freely text message. While the law won't likely have a huge effect on many adult drivers who have become accustomed to using speaker-phones and hands-free devices such as Bluetooth-enabled earpieces (as if that really helps), it is the young drivers who face tough new rules. The law in the Golden State now bans drivers under the age of 18 from using any kind of mobile device while driving. All drivers face the same slap-on-the-wrist if caught. The first offense is only $20, with the fee bumped to $50 for additional convictions. Of course, that number will rapidly increase if other infractions or penalties are applied.
[Source: Los Angeles Times, Photo by David McNew/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
k.w.a 2:33PM (7/01/2008)
can states just ban stupid drivers altogether? how about if you do something stupid behind the wheel (cellphone or not)--you get a ticket? makes sense to me!
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AkulaX1 2:35PM (7/01/2008)
Cruel but that would sooooooooooo work
Kumail 3:35PM (7/01/2008)
then with all the stupid people getting tickets, we might get away with speeding more often! besides, we all know our car's limits and how to control them.
Disgruntled Goat 4:00PM (7/01/2008)
The only problem is that 90% of Americans think they're smarter than average.
bakka 4:41PM (7/01/2008)
Ban stupid drivers??????
good heavens man, are you joking?
WAY TOO SIMPLE!
Tool 2:34PM (7/01/2008)
I hate lawmakers taking away our personal liberties, but this law actually makes sense.
Have you ever noticed a driver in front of you either driving too slow or seems to be a little out of it (swerving, not using turn-signals, etc)? I have--and 90% of the time the driver is chatting away or texting.
They say that driving and talking on a cellphone is like having 2 drinks. I agree.
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Vintage 2:38PM (7/01/2008)
Pretty sure swerving and failure to signal are already laws. The police just don't enforce them because they're too busy catching revenue, I mean speeders.
Vintage 2:41PM (7/01/2008)
We already have laws against those things. They are not enforced.
kballs 2:45PM (7/01/2008)
They've also proven that using the phone up to your ear and handsfree has the same effects on driving.
G-Meister 3:00PM (7/01/2008)
I know this is much harder to keep track of, but try to count the people talking on the phone NOT driving badly. Plenty of us manage that feat regularly.
BlackCanary 4:09PM (7/01/2008)
"I hate lawmakers taking away our personal liberties"
No you dont, you seem to be quite willing to give away your liberty.
ZapBrannigan 2:37PM (7/01/2008)
Now if only they'll enforce it.
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Xcountryflyer 6:45PM (7/01/2008)
My friend said his locale has this law already and he sees people breaking it all the time. Stupid and bad drivers drive bad whether they are on they have are handsfree or not.
Studies show it really doesn't make much of a difference.
Deutchland 5:15AM (7/07/2008)
kballs and Xcountryflyer..
If possible, please site sources.
Plenty of people refer to the "Studies show.." or "They say.." But, it isn't very often anyone sites a reliable source. Reliable = NHTSA, etc.. Car and Driver and Consumer Reports don't count.
I'll be waiting.
Vintage 2:37PM (7/01/2008)
Here's an idea, fine people who BREAK RULES, not people who COULD break rules! We don't need MORE laws that officers will enforce over the top of the rules that actually help things out.
Example: FINE THE PRICKS WHO DO NOT USE TURN SIGNALS!
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Sean 2:44PM (7/01/2008)
You mean cops?
I see as many cops not signaling as I do regular drivers.
Sad, but true.
BlackCanary 2:53PM (7/01/2008)
+1, I am with Vintage. Is it really needed to stop someone capable of driving and using a cell phone who is not breaking any laws? How about just ticketing for any poor driving associated to talking on the cell phone? Makes sense to me.
JP 2:40PM (7/01/2008)
A similar law took effect in Washington State today.
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JP 2:45PM (7/01/2008)
Hello low ranked.
You caught me, I posted without reading. It says 32 other states.
psarhjinian 2:44PM (7/01/2008)
I like the idea, but I can't see it being enforced. The reason we bag speeders is that there's an easy conviction mechanism (pull trigger, read speed) and a paper trail that's uncontestable in court. "Dangerous driving" is much harder: unless there's an accident, it's a much more grey area, and one that's takes more effort to enforce.
This is why I like red-light and speed-trap cameras. If all officers are doing is pulling a LIDAR gun's trigger and issuing a ticket, you may as well save the money and have a machine do it. As a bonus, you could then have said officers doing real policing, rather than revenue generation.
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