California Bans Texting While Driving

From 2009, Drivers Caught Sending Text Messages Will Be Fined At Least 20 Dollars

(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.

[lewiston14]

Like that will work. This state has had a cell phone use law for two years. After people played with wireless headphones the quickley went back straight to the ear as the noise in a car messed with wireless two way communactions so back to real they still drive around with it up to their ear. If you want to have fun with the cops who should be looking at more serious stuff in the first place carry around a kids fake cellphone a hollow plactic thing then ask them are you going to arrest me for holding a plastic toy?

[fsw3]

Other proposed legislation: Banning brain surgery while driving. Banning playing NBA Basketball while driving. Banning painting a masterpiece while driving. Banning designing the new world trade center while driving. Banning getting a nude massage while driving. Just a few ideas.

[mydiatribe]

WELL , , , YEAH!

[jetlizhan]

this is wonderful news - hopefully, all 50 states (not 57, obama) will follow suit.

[lewiston14]

(not 57, obama) will follow suit.

OB was just giving you a heads up on the new states in the next four.

[thamlett-2009]

Laws banning text messages or use of non hands-free cell phones while driving are good it is not enough. Police have better things to do than to pull over text messagers. I think there should be a law that requires car makers to install signal jammers in every vehicle that prevent cell phone usage inside the car. The only vehicles exempt from this law are those that are equipped with OnStar or a similar system.

[lewiston14]

" I have been riding my bicycle to work for this past year and have regular close calls with people:

Then keep your Bicycle, spandex pants and beetle helmet out of the road when cars are going by at 55mph even if they dont hit you their draft can throw you into the middle of the road and the next car may just run over you. Back up traffic for three miles durning rush hour as you peddle youself at 10 mph and see how many people you make new bumper friends with. And they wont play the same game twice.

[lewiston14]

Obama is a liberal idiot.

Posted by howzilla

Wont disagree My sloagan is "None of the above 08"

[hypnotoad72]

Oh no, regulation! *eek*

[lewiston14]

install signal jammers in every vehicle that prevent cell phone usage inside the car.

Posted by thamlett

Anything installed can be removed. Think of the huge battle between cell phone companies and car companies. Not to mention you may be in a parking lot noe even moving and a car company is going to block your cell phone. Goog luck trying to sell that brand. People have a nasty habit they do not like being told what to do. Dont like on star a simple swat with palm of hand on the antenna and it wont be talking across the street.

[platteman]

Forrest was right. You can''t fix stupid.

[lewiston14]

Which part is stupid and not true?

[tootall10142]

I GOT BEHIND A ROLLING TEXTER YESTERDAY.I FOLLOWED HER TO THR GROCERY STORE AND EMBARRASSED HER IN PUBLIC ON THE POINT OF ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN IN HER CAR. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL THE MANAGER ASK ME TO LEAVE.IM SURE SHE WILL CONTINUE TO TEXT AND DRIVE BUT SHE WILL REMEMBER FOR A LONG TIME IM 6-4 245LB. CHEROKEE INDIAN,IM PROBABLY LUCKY SHE WASNT PACKING A GUN OR DIDNT USE IT.BUT ILL SACRIFICE A LITTLE JAIL TIME IF IT SAVES HER CHILDREN FROM GETTING KILLED. IM JUST OLD STUPID AND CRAZY THAT WAY.

[gop_will_win]

Gee I hope they dont ban saying the rosary behind the wheel. I often do this because there is just so many hours in the day.

[usclimey]

Can anyone tell me what the advantage of texting is for grown-ups? Unless you want to "talk" to a friend in class without the teacher knowing, I really don''t see one.

[mecury69]

"Obama is a liberal idiot.

Posted by howzilla"

Please post your educational and professional qualifications so we can have a gauge as to the weight of your ''opinion''.

[mecury69]

"Gee I hope they dont ban saying the rosary behind the wheel. I often do this because there is just so many hours in the day.

Posted by gop_will_win at 09:10 AM : Sep 25, 2008"

You''ll need em'' when some teenager runs through a red light and broadsides you while texting.

LOL while LAMO and ROFL

[lewiston14]

There is no reason for anybody to text. I prefere face to face but a phone call can show emotion to. When I had a cell phone it did three things. It could send and receive calls and tell me what time it was. Not cameras no internet. I could access voice messages when I wanted to. From that time I got rid of my cell phone as I could not figure the cost vs the time I used it. I did not need a leash which is was becoming. I think people could trace me so I just turned it off and took out the battery. No more leash. Good for the parents that can afford $5000 or $10,000 a year on their kids 3000 text messages. When I cancelled my cell phone the gal on the phone went into panic mode. What would I do without a cell phone. My answer was simple the same thing I did before cell phones and before she was born. I hope they know how to walk when their battery is dead and remember what you can do with a quater. Cell phones have to be one of the greatest scams in history. Oh dont call me I wont answer because its always people wanting something.

[lewiston14]

"You''''ll need em'''' when some teenager runs through a red light and broadsides you while texting.

LOL while LAMO and ROFL

Posted by mecury69

mecury69: If you live you can take them for millions. Money may not be everything but just think how much confort you can have as they pay througt the nose everyday you go to the docs.

[inventagod2]

We banned holding a cellphone to your ear while driving, but no one cared... Every other driver still has their cell in their hand.

Guess the only difference is if they hit you while yakking, you can sue them for it...

[lewiston14]

"Guess the only difference is if they hit you while yakking, you can sue them for it...

Posted by Inventagod2

All you have to prove that the cell phone was the cause, Not an easy thing.

[honestabe8]

I find it amazing that they have to pass a law for this. Do they also have one about having intercourse while driving? Emailing?

[observer2020]

Since the no cell phone while driving law was passed in NJ, I have seen more police officers (driving in marked vehicles) on cell phones than the general public...and that''s saying something. But of course, police are above the law.

[ethiopia93]

I think the law should be even stricter and it should also be Federal Law. If you talk or text holding a cell phone you should be treated the same way as a drunk driver would be treated. Actually, I think even stricter b/c alcholism is an illness. People who hold a cell phone to their ear aren''t sick. They are just willfully evil and show a complete reckless disregard for the safety of others. The first offense should be 6 months of no driving. Second offense, a year without a license. Third time you never get a DL again. There is NEVER a reason to be talking or texting on a cell phone. If there is an emergency pull off the road and deal with it.

[hypnotoad72]

I find it amazing that they have to pass a law for this. Do they also have one about having intercourse while driving? Emailing?

Posted by honestabe8
----

They should'' plenty of those videos can be found anywhere -- and sadly Darwin had nothing to say...

[lewiston14]

And you think a person without a DL makes them stop driving. What place are you from?

[carlylaine]

honestabe8: Perfection...

This is so intrusive...my gawd what next? NO SNEEZING? cuz the eyes close...we can be a havin'' that.

[birdlikebld]

'' .. they also banned the barbequeing of trillions dollars of nuclear biological chemical stealth ray war babys with government taxed funds; and, clearly: it has worked .. ''

[myopinion381]

I have a friend who is 72 years old and he is dating a few 18 year old girls, he needs his text messaging all the time. Posted by spaceatoms at 10:52 AM

Please tell me you are kidding about the age of your friend. That is just gross for a 72 year old to date an 18 year old. They could be his/her grandchildren!

[docpeter1953]

I find it amazing that they have to pass a law for this. Do they also have one about having intercourse while driving? Emailing?

Posted by honestabe8
----

Unfortunately it is true. Whikle you may be anazed that people will text while driving I have witnessed it way too many times. They think they are in control of their vehicle as they slowly move from one lae to another causing other drivers to be super vigilant to avoid a collision with a texter.

It is unfortunate that we have to make rules and laws to protect idiotic people from themselves as well as the general population.

It is like the warnings they place on electric equipment, thing like don''t use this hair dryer in the shower. ever wonder why? It is because some idiot tried it and was electrocuted.

I worked in a hospital for years and one weekend an administrator wanted me to approve the use of a hot plate for a VIP. Wanna guess what the VIP wanted to do with the hot plate? She wanted to place it in the shower and let water drip on it to steam her night gowns so they wouldn''t have wrinkles (obviously a Republican ;-0). Needless to say I didn''t approve its use, for safety reasons.

[nordeck52]

For once something smart comes out of California. Still too soon to say whether anyone over there has a brain yet though.

[jet3723-2009]

One could argue that common sense should ban this activity. However, if this is what they need to run their lives....

[pirmin3]

What pure crapola. Another law that can''t be enforced.

[lewiston14]

Nice try: A sidewalk is not the road and the only profile you got right was the ends of a loaf of bread. "heel of a loaf of bread"? What is that? I dont eat grits or hog jowl either.

[lewiston14]

"Oh hi lewiston14. I thought you were at recess!" Stay on topic

[displeased]

Lets see, CA wants to let the bong hole bleeders and puss grinders get married and call it legal (It won''''t after the Nov. votes he he) But they won''''t let people drive and use text messaging at the same time...LOL! Another feel good law that will never work! LOL! you morons in gayville really are screwed up! LOL! it sucks to be a liberal freedom haters LOL!!!
Posted by zgomer

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

[hugochavez9]

HEY, IS SARAH PALIN STILL PRACTICING WITCHCRAFT?

[downsteamjim]

The news of this laws enactment was sent by text message.

[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.

[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.

[jd2408]

Well duh !!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[kuei12]

S E X is not a 4 letter word.

[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.

[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?

[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.