2008 Woodie Awards
New cell phone laws come into effect
Effective July 1, drivers will have to use hands-free devices to make calls
By: Joni Busby
Issue date: 5/21/08 Section: News
By July 1, California drivers are expected to be in compliance with the new cell-phone bill that was signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger in September 2006.
The 22-month lapse was meant to give people time to buy the hands-free equipment and learn how to use it before authorities began enforcing the law.
"Cellular phone usage has drastically increased, and so have associated traffic accidents," said California Highway Patrol Officer Tom Leitz. "Hopefully, people take (the law) seriously, because it will save lives, and that's really what it's all about, safety."
The CHP and local police only recently began keeping statistics to determine whether cell phone use contributes to crashes or violations.
The deaths of two Oakdale residents in separate accidents last year both involved cell-phone use, according to the CHP.
The purpose of California's new law is to compel people to pay more attention to the road and other drivers.
"Talking (on a cell phone) and texting while driving is just a bad combination," Leitz said.
Drivers getting caught with cell phones to the ear while behind the wheel can be ticketed $20 for the first offense and $50 for each additional violation, plus any additional administrative fees imposed by the court.
"Cell-phone violations are considered a reportable offense, but the Department of Motor Vehicles will not assign a violation point," said DMV employee Kris Bailey.
California drivers under the age of 18 after July 1 will not be allowed to use any kind of cellular device, hand-held or hands-free.
"Provisional drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents because they lack driving experience and tend to take greater risks," Bailey said. "Although the restriction won't appear on a minor's license, they should be aware of the change and the consequence of penalty if they violate the law."
CHP officers can stop a person, regardless of age, holding a cell phone and talking on it, but they may not use checkpoints to enforce the all-cell ban for drivers younger than 18, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The 22-month lapse was meant to give people time to buy the hands-free equipment and learn how to use it before authorities began enforcing the law.
"Cellular phone usage has drastically increased, and so have associated traffic accidents," said California Highway Patrol Officer Tom Leitz. "Hopefully, people take (the law) seriously, because it will save lives, and that's really what it's all about, safety."
The CHP and local police only recently began keeping statistics to determine whether cell phone use contributes to crashes or violations.
The deaths of two Oakdale residents in separate accidents last year both involved cell-phone use, according to the CHP.
The purpose of California's new law is to compel people to pay more attention to the road and other drivers.
"Talking (on a cell phone) and texting while driving is just a bad combination," Leitz said.
Drivers getting caught with cell phones to the ear while behind the wheel can be ticketed $20 for the first offense and $50 for each additional violation, plus any additional administrative fees imposed by the court.
"Cell-phone violations are considered a reportable offense, but the Department of Motor Vehicles will not assign a violation point," said DMV employee Kris Bailey.
California drivers under the age of 18 after July 1 will not be allowed to use any kind of cellular device, hand-held or hands-free.
"Provisional drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents because they lack driving experience and tend to take greater risks," Bailey said. "Although the restriction won't appear on a minor's license, they should be aware of the change and the consequence of penalty if they violate the law."
CHP officers can stop a person, regardless of age, holding a cell phone and talking on it, but they may not use checkpoints to enforce the all-cell ban for drivers younger than 18, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
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