My daughter brought home a three-page document from the California Highway Patrol called, "Wireless Telephone Laws FAQ." One of the ladies at her work is married to a cop, so she brought some copies to work. Here are some of the frequently asked questions:
Q. When do the new wireless telephone laws take effect?
A. The new laws take effect July 1, 2008
Q. What is the difference between the two laws?
A. The first prohibots 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).
Q. Are passengers affected by this law?
A. No. This law only applies to the person driving the motor vehicle.
Q. Do these laws apply to out-of-state drivers whose home states do not have such laws?
A. Yes.
There you have it. If you drive in California after the end of June, beware of talking on your cell phone. For the over 18 crowd, there's more:
Q. Does the new "hands-free" law prohibit you from dialing a wireless telephone while driving or just talking on it?
A. The new law does not prohibit dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while driving.
Q. Does the new "hands-free" law allow drivers 18 and over to text page while driving?
A. The law does not specifically prohibit that, but an officer can pull over and issue a citation to a driver of any age if, in the officer's opinion, the driver was distracted and not operating the vehicle safely. Text paging while driving is unsafe at any speed and is strongly discouraged.
Too bad I'm no good at texting. I could do a lot of communicating while I drive after July comes along.
5 comments:
I have mixed feelings regarding this. Along with cell phones, there are a number of idiot drivers who can't multi-task and stay focused and know their limiations and use sound judgments. They are constantly distracted from fiddling with the cd changer, makeup, conversations within the vehicle, billboard signs, a beautiful lady walking down the sidewalk or in another vehicle, hot coffee, putting ketchup on fries, etc, etc.
Q. Does the new "hands-free" law prohibit you from dialing a wireless telephone while driving or just talking on it?
A. The new law does not prohibit dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while driving.
Q. Does the new "hands-free" law allow drivers 18 and over to text page while driving?
A. The law does not specifically prohibit that, but an officer can pull over and issue a citation to a driver of any age if, in the officer's opinion, the driver was distracted and not operating the vehicle safely. Text paging while driving is unsafe at any speed and is strongly discouraged.
This is just silly and inconsistent. Texting and dialing while making a complex turn or at a bad moment are worse than actually talking on the phone.
And other than having one hand tied up, what difference is holding a phone, from being "hands free"? Conversations period can be a distraction. There can be consequences to trying to not spill coffee or hamburger dressing in your lap.
WordSmith,
Of course it's silly and inconsistent. It came from the legislature.
I've never owned a cell phone. And while I'm usually a Libertarian when it comes to such matters...
Though certainly inconsistent, this law will save lives and positively influence my insurance premiums. Some people will break the law... Others will only use their phones to answer emergencies... But any decrease is positive.
Didn't California give us "right turn on red?" Well, this is the second good idea that's come from California.
So I guess that was your warning to me to NOT move to California. If I didn't talk in the car, I probably would cut my talking on the phone time by about 50%.
Do you think they would find me less distracted with the radio blared? Because that's my other activity of choice behind the wheel.
That's why I'm glad they invented the strobe lights that warn you a siren is coming. When I'm on the main roads, that's the first sign I have to cut the music and listen for the siren.
Bekah,
You're perfectly safe in California, IF you use a hands-free gizmo. I've got a couple friends who each lives her whole day with a Bluetooth on her ear. I'm not sure if they sleep with it on, but I wouldn't be surprised. They'd be fine under the new law.
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