New Laws Restrict Cell Phone Usage

Senate Bill - 1613

In signing the bill, Governor Schwarzenegger said, "The simple fact is it's dangerous to talk on your cell phone while driving. CHP [California Highway Patrol] data show that cell phones are the No. 1 cause of distracted-driving accidents. The 'Hands-Free' cell phone bill will save lives."

Effective July 1, 2008, new cell phone laws:

• Prohibit persons under the age of 18 from driving a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone or a mobile service device (pagers, texting devices, laptops, etc). This prohibition includes telephones equipped with a hands-free device.
• Prohibit persons 18 and older from driving a motor vehicle while using a hand-held cellular telephone unless that telephone permits hands-free operation. California drivers will still be permitted to have a wireless conversation while driving if they use hands-free technology, such as a Bluetooth device.

EXCEPTIONS: The law allows those driving a motor truck, truck tractor, tow truck, or specified farm vehicles to use a digital two-way radio service built into a wireless telephone that operates by depressing a push-to-talk feature and does not require immediate proximity to the user's ear. These exceptions apply until July 1, 2011.

EMERGENCY EXEMPTIONS: The law permits a driver, regardless of age, to use a wireless telephone for emergency purposes, including, but not limited to, an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services agency or entity.

According to a Harvard study in 2002, 5% of all traffic accidents are caused by distracted cell-phone users. California Highway Patrol statistics show that cell-phone use is the top cause of accidents triggered by distracted drivers going all the way back to 2001. Whether or not a hands-free solution is the answer is still under debate.