Texting (and Twittering) While Driving Made Illegal in California
Posted 09/26/08 at 04:11:15 PM | by Paul Lilly
California residents are already banned from holding cell phones while driving, and starting January 1, 2009, sunny state motorists will officially be disallowed to text message while driving. A first violation will result in a $20 fine, with each subsequent offense costing $50.
"Banning electronic text messaging while driving will keep drivers' hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road, making our roadways a safer place for all Californians," said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It remains to be seen how much effect the new ban will have on text messaging motorists, but it should come as no surprise if a high number tickets get written. According to Tom Marshall, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol, there have already been 19,753 citations issued for holding cell phones since the law went into effect on July 1, 2008, less than three months ago.
Do you agree with the ban?
Image Credit: Flickr Tray
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While Driving Made Illegal in California
Submitted by aviraj on Thu, 2008-12-18 01:04
There is nothing called a free lunch is this world. If
things needed to be resolved then initiative needs a support to be sorted out.
rocky
<a href=http://www.addictionlink.org/drug-rehab-center/california>california drug rehab</a>
Submitted by Shalbatana on Mon, 2008-09-29 11:37
Texting and twittering while driving now considered balatantly idiotic in human society. Making laws about it considered futile, just like making laws about cell phones and driving...as...as we've seen...idiots will be idiots, even if it's illegal.
_______________________________
"There's no time like the future."
Here in the Bay Area, I see
Submitted by horzo on Mon, 2008-09-29 11:07
Here in the Bay Area, I see many people still using their cells in the car without hands-free. And, yep, I'm one of them. Why?
1) I don't use my cell in the car enough to bother with a headset.
2) I've tried 3 headsets in the $35-$50 dollar range, and they all sucked.
3) I'm not paying $120 for a freakin headset,
Texting is a somewhat different matter. I can barely text with both hands while standing still. I wouldn't even attempt it in a car...but then I'm not 17.
Slippery Slope
Submitted by weaslem32 on Sat, 2008-09-27 06:19
I for one believe that people should not text while driving and should, at the very least use a hands free device while driving. However, this new law is just a slippery slope of whats yet to come. In Texas, they have passed similar bans in "School" zones. The problem that this creates is that it criminalizes our rights as citizens. If they are going to ban cell phones, since they are a distraction to driving, then they might as well ban Drive Through Restaurants, eating in the car, putting on makeup in the car, turning your head to talk to passengers in the car, and adjusting the radio in the car. Let's face it, everything in the car is a distraction and lets not forget about on-the-road distractions such as flashy billboards, construction, and highway accidents. This is a result of someone who doesn't like cell phone use, or someone had a family member killed or injured by someone using a phone and they pushed lobbyist to get this passed on the state level. Really people, what has our society come to? Get a life and worry about real issues. Besides, I would rather have my local law enforcement do something more productive like going after "Real" criminals.
Metropolis has you.
Thank You!
Submitted by Quertior on Mon, 2008-09-29 18:38
I'm glad someone has the clear sight to seel theough all the bullshit and lies.
The fine isn't enough.
Submitted by Tekzel on Sat, 2008-09-27 16:06
Personally, I think the cops should yank the jackass out of his car, have it towed and beat them down. Anyone caught texting while driving is a danger to society and should lose their license. I love it when people start yapping about rights when something like this happens. Your rights are only valid as far as they don't hurt me. And let me tell you, some dipshit teen so busy texting whatever unimportant shit that slams into me because they can't be bothed to pay attention to the freaking road definitely violated MY rights. Go get beat by the common sense stick some.
Submitted by Vegan on Fri, 2008-09-26 17:52
This won't stop anyone. I see people still holding phones up to their ears while driving every day. Maybe it's effective outside the city, but in L.A. everyone thinks they're the most important person in the world.
Submitted by Quertior on Fri, 2008-09-26 16:51
I say fuck off, California! they have no right to meddle in our business so blatantly.
if you personally are offended by people cellphoning while driving, then
DON'T DRIVE WITH THEM. There are two paths to
almost every place. And no, I am not drunk.
Submitted by Quertior on Mon, 2008-09-29 16:41
First of all, I never said that I personally text/call/twitter while driving, but I am not offended by people doing it. I just pass them and get on with my day.
Submitted by streetking on Sun, 2008-10-05 23:49
You never said you didn't either. If someone is texting and sideswipes you because they're distracted, leaving you paralyzed for life, wouldn't that make you wish that person wasn't texting? That's what these laws are for, to protect the other innocent bystanders that make the right decisions. A person can have rights as long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others.
Submitted by streetking on Mon, 2008-09-29 05:39
Jesus what an idiot. "if you personally are offended by people cellphoning while driving, then
DON'T DRIVE WITH THEM"??? That suggests not driving at all. Even though I am not in the same damn car as someone who is texting, that doesn't mean that their decision won't affect ME on the road. You can go ahead and kill yourself, but don't take innocent people with you; do it in a fashion that will not harm anyone else, ok?
Submitted by Tekzel on Sat, 2008-09-27 16:00
If Quertior could possibly be that stupid? Hell, maybe he is 12 and has yet to get a license. Lets all hope he grows up just a smidge before he gets on the road and kills a family.
Submitted by Mjolnir on Sat, 2008-09-27 10:09
I agree, you do have the right to do stuff in the car that totaly distracts you from your enviorment. Seriously, who cares that you are driving a 2 ton hunk of metal that can kill a person. Sending a text message is so much more important then stoping the car and taking a minute out of my life and making sure that I don't kill someone or seriously hurt them. I also think we should lift the ban on drinking and driving, everyone knows you drive safer when you are drunk anyway.
$20, $50 fine? Not enough of a deterent!
Submitted by DDTechGuy on Fri, 2008-09-26 14:56
I'm here in Sunny Southern California and I can tell you that there are plenty of 'rich kids' who wouldn't give a darn about paying a small fine as long verses yappin'/textin' on their phones while they drive.
I need to find the 'survey' that was posted (AP? Reuters?) recently citing that texting while driving related accidents and DEATHS among teens/young people has exceeded the stats for driving under the influence!
$50 first time, $1000 second, fine + jail time for third offense...and straight to jail if you hurt or kill another person because you were texting. That sounds better to me!
Your Thoughts?
Submitted by DDTechGuy on Fri, 2008-09-26 16:00
Reuters link to follow:
Submitted by DDTechGuy on Fri, 2008-09-26 16:04
http://www.wkrg.com/consumer/article/texting_drivers_more_dangerous_than_drunk_drivers/18203/
Submitted by DDTechGuy on Fri, 2008-09-26 16:03
Submitted by sdcat on Fri, 2008-09-26 15:24
survey??? and why just teens?
The rich kids? When their parents saw 10k and beyond fines each month, they would think twice.
The law is for everyone, every driver.
Submitted by Mikhial66 on Fri, 2008-09-26 14:52
I think talking on your phone at all should be illegal- hands free or not. I'm sick and tired of people not paying attention because they're on the cell phone.
Submitted by metric_inch on Fri, 2008-09-26 14:52
If it is already illegal to hold a cellphone in your hand, how can you currently send a text message without breaking the law?
Submitted by neo1piv14 on Fri, 2008-09-26 14:30
I think laws like this are good for people's safety. I see just as many people texting as I do talking and I'm sure that doing something that requires you to look down is far more unsafe than talking. Sure talking's distracting, but you're at least looking forward at the road while you do it. I'll be glad when that law finally makes its way over to my state.
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