July 1 – California law requires adult drivers to go hands-free… or else
By Will Park on Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 at 10:32 AM PST In Announcements
California drivers, be warned. The new California law (VC §23124), requiring that all adult drivers use hands-free cellphone solutions when behind the wheel, goes in to effect on July 1.
If the risk of getting cited for driving with a cellphone pressed up against your noggin isn’t enough to sway you, then go about your hand-occupying conversations. But, if you just don’t want to go through the hassle of having a nice chat with law enforcement personnel, only to be asked to pay a nominal fee, pay heed.
California drivers 18 years of age and older can be fined $20 for the first offense with each additional infraction costing $50 a pop (before penalty assessments that can drive up the fine three-fold). So, no matter how you do it (speakerphone, wired headset, Bluetooth headset, vehicle integrated Bluetooth system), make sure you keep your cellphone-holding hand away from your face. With luck, we’ll be seeing fewer distracted drivers on California’s highways and byways.
And, July 1 represents a new age for California roadways. Apparently, California lawmakers are just as fed up as we are with hordes of already distracted teens adding a mobile phone to their list of distractors. A second law will be penned in California lawbooks (Vehicle Code §23123) that will make it illegal for any driver under the age of 18 to use a mobile phone in any manner, while driving. Even the use of hands-free headsets can be cited as a secondary offense (if the driver is already being cited for a separate primary offense).
Both laws will hopefully crack down on distracted drivers in California, but our gut tells us that we won’t be seeing radical changes. So, go dig out your unused Bluetooth headset or figure out how to pair your phone with your in-car system. It’s worth it not to have to entertain John Q. PoliceOfficer on the side of the road.
While I agree that holding a cell phone against your ear can be a little distracting, I dare say other “more accepted” activities can be even worse. Following the same principle, people caught eating, smoking, drinking, putting on make up and touching any controls on the car radio should also be given tickets.
I’ve read a long time ago that the single most distracting thing in a car was children in the backseat making a mess. Maybe that should be reason for a ticket as well, huh?
This law also goes into effect in washington state today as well.
I think it is the conversation that is distracting, not the act of holding a device to your ear.
If the conversation is distracting, then even bluetooth and wired headsets should also be illegal. Furthermore, drivers who talk to the passengers should also get tickets.
That’s what I’m saying, it doesn’t make sense either way.
Hello. It’s about the money. $135.00 here in San Diego.
The state lawmakers are not going to close down fast food
restaurants, Star Bucks or anywhere else you can spend your
money and eat in your car while driving. If they are so
concered you should’t do anything but drive with both hands
on the wheel. Don’t forget the wireless companies most likely
lobbied to sell their stuff. Not many wanted to look like
Star Wars characters. I always see the police talking on
the phone while driving their police cars.