Don't get distracted
A National Highway Transportation
Safety Administration report states that : In 2008, 5,870 people lost their
lives and an estimated 515,000 people were injured in police-reported crashes in
which at least one form of driver distraction was reported on the crash report.
Safe Cell Phone Use
California laws prohibit all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while
operating a motor vehicle,(Vehicle
Code (VC) §23123). Motorists 18 and over may use a "hands-free device."
Drivers under the age of 18 may NOT use a wireless telephone or hands-free device
while operating a motor vehicle
(VC §23124).
More information on the new cell
phone laws is available from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
California Cell Phone Law
Effective July 1, 2008, there is NO grace period when California motorists will
only get a warning. These hands-free or cell phone usage laws apply to out-of-state
drivers and is only applicable to the person driving a motor vehicle.
A law enforcement officer can pull you over just for this infraction. The base fine
for the FIRST offense is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions. With the addition
of penalty assessments, the fines can be more than triple the base fine amount.
The violation is a reportable offense and a conviction will appear on your driving
record, however, DMV will not assign a violation point.
The law allows a driver to use a wireless telephone to make emergency calls to a
law enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department, or other emergency
services agency.
Cell Phone Safety Tips:
- Learn to use the redial, speed dial or voice dial features.
- Keep your phone within easy reach.
- You can use the speaker phone if you do not have a "hands-free device".
- Don't use your cell phone while driving in bad weather.
- Select safe times to dial, like stopped at a light or in a parking lot.