California to Ban Drivers From Holding Cell Phones($20 Fine?LOL)

Los Angeles Times ^ | 7:13 PM PDT, September 14, 2006 | Nancy Vogel

[kellynla]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California will become the fourth state to ban motorists from holding cell phones while driving, under legislation Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he would sign into law Friday.

The governor's office said Thursday he would sign the bill in Oakland, ending a five-year campaign by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto. Under the new law, which does not take effect until July 2008, Californians risk a minimum $20 fine for driving while talking into a phone -- unless they are using a headset, speaker phone, ear bud or some other technology that frees both hands while they talk. Drivers in emergency situations would be exempt.

"Public safety is the governor's No. 1 priority," said Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Margita Thompson, "and this bill will make the streets and highways of California safer by ensuring that drivers have both hands available for driving."

The bill passed the Assembly and Senate in late August, with largely Democratic support and the votes of a few Republicans.

[kellynla]

ping

[goldstategop]

Cell Phone Fascism - Liberals think we're too stupid to drive responsibly.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )

[Bogey78O]

So when are we going to see him crack down on illegal drivers? How about people eating, talking, or doing any of the other things that lead to the other 93% of car accidents?

[ElkGroveDan]

toldjaso

[The Great RJ]

For once something sensible coming from California. Idiots with cell phones glued to their ear are a major road hazard. I fail to understand who you would talk to for that long or what possibly they could be discussing.

[goldstategop]

Its silly. I haven't seen them outlaw Sex At Speed - yet.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )

[ElkGroveDan]

"Public safety is the governor's No. 1 priority," said Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Margita Thompson, "

Well then why doesn't he make us wear crash helmets and wrap ourselves in bubble packing before we get in the car?

[TeenagedConservative]

Here in CA, we ban dangerous things from the bottom up. We might just get to illegal immigration etc. after playgrounds, but who knows.

[Hilltop]

Again, this is all sound and fury, signifying nothing.

By 2008, the telecommunications paradigm will shift again.

[Jeff Chandler]

I need to hold the phone when I'm driving so I can listen to instructions while I'm restringing my tennis racket.

[NautiNurse]

How is talking on a cell phone any more distracting than a car full of people?

[ElkGroveDan]

For once something sensible coming from California. Idiots with cell phones glued to their ear are a major road hazard. I fail to understand who you would talk to for that long or what possibly they could be discussing.

Well not the South Dakota livestock report. Did it occur to you that people in large cities lead busy lives? Did it occur to you that there are things that rank much more dangerous than cellphones in terms of causing accidents, like fiddling with the radio/CD or disciplining children? Shall we ban radios and kids in cars because you can't relate?

[The Iceman Cometh]

I for one feel safer driving on the road with someone on a cell phone than a blue-haired granny that is a danger period.

I was driving down the road the other day, a 4 laner, when I saw the green buick with the handicap tag from the mirror. Yes, it was a blue haired danger.

After the driver made a complete stop at a green light, she proceeded along at about 10 miles below the speed limit. Upon coming up on her right side, I kid you not, I saw a friggin' radar detector on the dash. After passing her by, I noticed in my rear view mirror that she made a lane change that was unsafe at best.

[Firefigher NC]

I don't care a thing for the morons who swerve all over the road and can't keep consistent speed because of those phones, but I've had to use mine while driving due to being lost or trying to communicate pertinent information. That's where speaker phone comes in handy. They shouldn't have to ruin it for those of us who can drive responsibly and talk at the same time.

[goldstategop]

Safety is so overrated. I get infuriated when liberals treat me like a child! I am not that stupid. That's the problem with liberalism... the arrogance and condescension just oozes through.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )

[CindyDawg]

My son and I were talking about this today. Are they going to fine you if both hands aren't on the wheel? No eating. No drinking. No adjusting the AC or changing the radio station. Heck how will you turn lights or windshields on? I started to say forget about blinkers but we don't use those things much anymore. Oh well... at least we won't have to put up with saluters and horn honkers

[Bogey78O]

It's simple. There's a law in almost all states that driving in an unsafe manner is a ticketable offense. Just enforce it. But no. It's so much easier for cops to just nail people this way.

And at 20$ a pop this will make California tens of millions of dollars a year in revenue. But I'm sure it'l probably stop a few hundred wrecks from occuring.

[Hannibal Hamlin]

How is talking on a cell phone any more distracting than a car full of people?

Guess you've never seen the Soccer Mom in the Suburban weave from lane to lane while yacking on her phone with one hand and hitting her kids in the back seat with the other.

[WideGlide]

I think the CHP and all the other California PD's should set the example and remove the "push-to-talk" microphones from their radios. Or, ban them from holding the microphone while they're chasing cell phone violators. No talking on the radio during pursuits Trooper Dude! (:^*)