[TheBattman]

I've got a better idea - just hold drivers responsible COMPLETELY When they are at fault in an accident. A cell phone to the ear can be one of many distractions that drivers face that they create themselves.

What about women putting on make-up while driving?

I guess we should also ban children in the vehicle - as they can be a much larger distraction that cell phones.

What about outlawing mosquitoes and stinging insects? They have been the cause of many accidents because of their distracting nature.

Lets go ahead and outlaw stupidity while we are at it - since laws are so effective...

[SweetCaroline]

Bad driving is more likely from many thinking they learned how to drive playing CRASH & BURN or QUAD POWER RACING on their X-BOX! At least that's how it looks on my morning commute.

[MosesKnows]

How many states do not already have a law against not paying full time and attention to driving?

"The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws."
- Tacitus, Roman Senator and Historian (A.D. c.56 - c. 115)

[ThePythonicCow]

"Accidents by drivers using handheld phones outnumber those driving hands-free by a ratio of 25 to 1,"

I'll bet that the ration of drivers using handhelds to hands-free is also 25 to 1, or thereabouts.

If more people use handhelds, more accidents will happen while people are using handhelds.

I remain convince that it's the lack of mental concentration on one's surroundings while talking on the phone, not the lack of use of one hand, that is the culprit here.

[newzjunkey]

Driving is a gov't-granted privilege with major safety responsibilities. I have no problem with prohibiting cell phones. Just last week I watched a woman drive up a hill to a stop light with no hands on the steering wheel because she was holding the call in one hand and making speaking gestures with the other!

Over time I've also seen the applying makeup, reading newspapers, maps, novels, changing on clothes on Southern CA roads. At least some of that was in bumper-to-bumper freeway traffic, but not all.

[Publius6961]

I have mixed feeling about this. Now I won't be able to identify the reason crummy drivers are driving erratically.
My belief is that lousy drivers (or totally clueless ones) are the ones attracted to using cell phones while driving.

[ThinkDifferent]

It would not apply to drivers using hands-free models

Thus proving this is feel-good legislation that will accomplish nothing other than possibly revenue generation. Multiple studies have shown that it's not holding the phone that causes distraction, it's the conversation with another person who doesn't share your environment.

"Accidents by drivers using handheld phones outnumber those driving hands-free by a ratio of 25 to 1," he said.

I'd like to see a source for this. I wonder what the percentage of hands-free users is...about 4 percent I'd guess.

[ladyinred]

Knew this was coming sooner or later.

[savedbygrace]

Apparently, California doesn't have a "Failure to pay full time and attention" traffic law.

[Redcloak]

Given that most holders of CA driver's licenses can't drive and chew gum at the same time, this is a good idea. Now to fully appreciate that statement, you should remember that I'm one of this board's libertarians. I would normally oppose any intrusion by the State into otherwise harmless behavior. But this isn't harmless for a significant portion of the population. A very large percentage, for some reason, can't drive with one hand up by their ear. Ever see someone doing 45 MPH in the fast lane? Chances are they're yapping on a cell phone. 10 minutes later, you'll see them blow by you at 90; after they've hung up! But while they're having that important conversation, people are dodging them and darting from lane to lane like someone had just dropped a ladder in traffic.

[TigersEye]

Treat them like drunk drivers. Pull them over and shoot them on the side of the road.

[mysterio]

I don't even want to scroll down and see the cheerleading for this statism.