California Bans Texting While Driving

(AP)  California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a law making it illegal to read or send text messages while driving in California.

The bill imposes a 20 dollar fine for a first offence and 50 dollars for repeat offenders using any electronic devices to read or send messages, starting next year.

Schwarzenegger says the law he signed Wednesday encourages drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.

California motorists using cell phones have been required to use hands-free devices since July, and drivers under age 18 can't use any electronic devices.

Seven other states and the District of Columbia ban text-messaging or the use of hand-held phones while driving.

[number1GI]

California also has laws against driving while under the influence... Those don't seem to be doing too well either. Hundreds of dead mangled corpses are still being withdrawn from mangled automobiles every day
Sadly enough there are still people who believe themselves to be above the laws and call on their phones while driving so I doubt if any law federal or local will have an effect.
The effectivness comes into play with the application of the consequences for breakking the laws. And even then there are scoflaws who just consider the fine part of doing business.
So I spite of all this I think it is an excellent idea to have a federal law to ban texting (and talking )on cell phones while driving. Perhaps it keep some clown from causing my corpse from being jaws of lifed out of mangled wreck.

[surinbasebal]

I''m surprised the ACLU hasn''t gotten involved and said that this violates people''s freedom of speech while driving. I''m surpised it happened in one of the most liberal states in the U.S. I think talking on cell phones while driving should be banned altogether. Nearly everytime I see a car being driven poorly, the driver is on a cell phone. Have some courtesy, pull over and call the person back. Do you not have enough time to so that? Is your phone call important enough to risk the lives of others on the roads?

[lisachamp]

I think the fine is too low. The first offense should be $50 and the following offenses $100. People will only stop this insanity if it hurts them in their pocketbook.

[kuei12]

S E X is not a 4 letter word.

[kuei12]

You see? This is why laws are needed. Because americans are completely stupid. Who in their right minds would try to text someone while driving? This is also why Wisconsin had to ban having *** with chickens. There was obviously a problem.

[pakaal]

The sad part is that we would actually need to have a law passed to get idiot drivers to realize that it takes two hands to text, and at least one hand to drive.

Oh wait, anyone who would text while driving is so stupid they probably can''t count to three anyway. Probably can''t read well enough to know the law was passed. Idiots.

[guysdigdirt]

What people do in their bedroom is their business. It doesn''''t affect you.

CORRECT, BUT WHEN THEY TRY AND CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF A WORD TO MAKE THEM FEEL NORMAL, IT DOES AFFECT OTHERS.

When people get in a head on collision because they were texting, then that can affect you. Just another common sense law due to driver''''s lack of common sense.
Posted by Displeased

I am suprised anyone finds this out of the ordinary, California outlawed driving and using a cell phone without hands free devise, then months later outlawed a much more dangerous activity. California is screwed up, in a huge way. But the rest of the nation finds it fun or important to follow suit. That is messed up.

[jd2408]

Well duh !!

[stupidrules3]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California lawmakers enjoy a perk not available to their colleagues in any other state: unchecked use of gasoline charge cards that stick taxpayers with the bill.

Through the first seven months of the year, California taxpayers have spent $220,000 to pay for lawmakers'' gasoline, according to a review of records requested by The Associated Press. That includes July, when lawmakers already were past their deadline to approve a budget and the state faced a $15.2 billion deficit.

California is unique in giving legislators free rein on transportation spending, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In most other states, lawmakers must submit the same kind of mileage-expense forms used by companies to reimburse employees for their business travel.


On top of free gas, California lawmakers also get state-issued vehicles, another perk that most states avoid.

California lawmakers make $116,208 a year plus $170 for daily expenses. The Assembly speaker and president pro tem of the Senate make $133,639 annually.

[stupidrules3]

Since California lets their state legislators have unlimited gas cards and leased cars on top of their $117,000 salaries (for part time work)they will have to fine people much more that $20.