California law prohibiting handheld cell phone usage while driving takes effect July 1st

[bananas]

Just saw this summary of the knew law on UCAN's website.
The speaker-phone built into most cell phones works surprisingly well.

http://www.ucan.org/blog/telecommunications/wireless/california_law_prohibiting_handheld_cell_phone_usage_takes_effect_july_1st

California law prohibiting handheld cell phone usage while driving takes effect July 1st

Posted June 24th, 2008 by ashkan

On July 1st, 2008 California Vehicle Codes 23123 and 23124 take effect, prohibiting the use of handheld cellular phones while driving. There is no grace period and officers will be able to issue citations starting July 1st. The law, spawned by safety concerns about cell phone usage while driving, severely restricts handheld cellular phone usage.

Drivers 18 and older can use cell phones only with a hands-free device, such as Blue Tooth, while talking, but both ears cannot be covered. In addition, dialing while driving is discouraged, although it is not prohibited, so long as a hands-free device is used while speaking. Using a handheld telephone’s speaker function is also allowed while driving.

<snip>

For minors, the law is even more stringent, completely banning any use of cell phones, pagers, laptops or any other electronics, including hands-free devices, to communicate while driving.

<snip>

In any event, a handheld cellular phone can be used during an emergency to call the police, fire department or other emergency services. In addition, the law does not apply to passengers.

Suggestions
- Before running out to purchase a hands-free device, check to see if your cell phone originally came with one.
- If not, most electronic stores sell hands-free devices, with the simplest around $5, to the more expensive BlueTooth option.
- Remember, most cell phones include a loudspeaker option, which you can use to communicate, hands-free, while driving.
- There may also be bargains online, such as here and here. You may even want to search eBay.
- It may also be wise to simply consider not using your cell phone while driving!

[Kerrytravelers]

1. The guy that almost ran into my while driving and chatting on his cell won't be pleased on July 1st.

I mean, he doesn't have time to watch other drivers, he's talking on the phone. How dare I drive on the road, too.

[robinlynne]

2. Good!!!!!!! about time.

[LeftyMom]

3. Hands free devices don't help much, if at all.

The problem is that some people's brains aren't very good doing two things at once, not that one hand is otherwise occupied (after all, people with one functional arm can drive.)

As far as accidents statistics go, many more are caused by people futzing with their car stereo than by people on the phone.

In my experience, it's a lot more distracting trying to put that my damned bluetooth thing in (I don't want to be one of those dorks who has it on all the time) and get the phone switched over to it than it is to just answer my phone, so I really don't see this helping.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

4. Oh Christ, I am so sick of the California nanny state!

Don't use your cell phone in your car.
Don't use your fireplace. (we need to leave room in the sky for big business to pollute)
Don't let your doggie in the front seat.
Don't smoke.
Don't use a BBQ if you live in a condo or apartment.
Buckle your seat belt or we will make you a criminal
Don't own weapons that look exotic.
and on and on and on.

Fuck! I can't wait to retire and get out of here. Yeah, the weather is good but you literally can't turn around and spit without breaking some idiotic law.

In the mean time, they can do nothing about spam or identity theft or corporate extortion, but they can sure protect me from myself. Fuck em, I'm outta here!

[Greyskye]

9. See 'ya

It certainly sounds like a different state might suit you better. :hi:

[proud patriot]

5. Crap well , I have to remember to pull over to answer my phone

I hardly ever use it while driving so I hope I can remember :think:

[Truth4Justice]

8. We have had that law here in NYS 4 a couple of years. It make money for the counties.

but that's all.

[proud patriot]

6. Does the law apply to walkie talkies like the police use ?

:think:

[mitchtv]

7. I don't know, good question

I know texting is ok, so unless they wrote it into the law....

[Truth4Justice]

15. It only applies to cellphones. Police are exempt from the law. CB radios and walkie-talkies are OK.

[ailsagirl]

10. Inevitably, I saw a woman driving and on her phone.

But what are laws for if not to be broken??

:banghead:

[Juneboarder]

11. So... It's Been A Month

And I still see drivers out there talking on their cell phones illegally while driving. What is it going to take for people to snap out of it and pay attention? Seriously!!

My wife and I were witness to a near serious accident and the person that would have been at fault was...

...ON THEIR CELL PHONE. Who knew!?!

[bemildred]

12. Think seat belts. It's going to be like that. nt

[Juneboarder]

13. Very true, but slightly different.

Wearing a seatbelt in no way distracts as a cell phone distracts most. It's amazing how unaware you can be while driving on the phone...

[slackmaster]

14. I'm still seeing them every day too

Yesterday, on northbound I-805, I saw a pickup truck that was being driven with the left wheels on the Bot's dots for about a quarter mile. I got next to it, and saw the driver looking down at her lap.

She was either texting or dialing a phone, paying little attention to the traffic or even where her vehicle was in the lane.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CountAllVotes]

17. Welcome to the DU knowl!

:hi: and welcome and you have some great comments.

I for one am glad to see this law go into effect. I just hope that people follow the law. I've seen more than one person driving and talking since it has been passed. :mad:

I know of a lady that was seriously injured after being hit by a car whose driver was on a cell phone. There is good reason for this law.

:dem:

[raccoon]

18. Good for them. I hope other states will follow suit. nt