Calif. bans use of hand-held cell phones in cars

[CyberGuy]

Calif. bans use of hand-held cell phones in cars

OAKLAND, Calif. - Drivers in California will need an ear piece or speaker to use their mobile phones while on the road under a bill signed Friday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Motorists could face fines of up to $50 if they violate the law, which makes it an infraction to hold a cell phone while driving. It takes effect July 1, 2008, and is similar to laws in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Washington D.C.

Cell-phone use is the top cause of accidents triggered by distracted drivers, according to California Highway Patrol statistics dating to 2001.

?The simple fact is, it?s dangerous to talk on your cell phone while driving,? Schwarzenegger said. ?So getting people?s hands off their phones and onto their steering wheels is going to make a big difference in road safety.?

Calls made to emergency-service providers are exempt, as are drivers of emergency vehicles. Commercial vehicle drivers can use push-to-talk phones until July 1, 2011.

[CyberGuy]

Well I guess my Bluetooth earpiece will come in handy now. All my fellow forum members who are residents of California should invest in an earpiece for your cell phones as well.

[Dr. Shane]

I wish Texas would do the same.

[Kountzer]

I view this as a good idea. Earpieces, whether by wire or bluetooth are just as distracting.

[CyberGuy]

Earpieces are not as bad. True if you are in city traffic and you are doing a lot of merging and passing it is best NOT to be talking on a cellphone but for hiway driving it is ok. Besides it would be hard to enforce if earpieces were banned. Hard to tell of one is on a cell phone when they have an earpiece on in the car.

[Dr. Shane]

I hate it when people call me while I am driving.

[CyberGuy]

And I hate it when people have the audacity to stop while I have one hand on the wheel while I am talking on the cell phone.