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?

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Posted 08/06/08 at 09:21:38 AM by Pulkit Chandna

The state of California has paid $282,794 to the Entertainment Software Association as compensation for the attorney’s fees the latter incurred during the legal tussle between the two. Last year, a Federal court had quashed a controversial Californian anti-videogame legislation, deeming it unconstitutional. Soon after, ESA successfully claimed compensation from the state for the attorney’s fees it paid. ESA has now extracted $1.9 million in compensation for attorney’s fees from various states in similar First Amendment litigations.

The videogame trade body ridiculed Californian legislators, in a press release, for prodigally using taxpayer’s money for such preposterous litigations, especially at a time when the state is faced with a humungous $15 billion budget gap. The state of California is currently pursuing an appeal against the Federal court’s decision, and so, California might receive another hefty bill if its appeal fails.

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Posted 08/26/07 at 07:51:29 PM by Erin Simon

Job-seekers and retirees get their personal information compromised, reminding us all of the importance of data security breach notification laws.

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Posted 07/15/07 at 10:54:19 PM by Erin Simon

After election officials in Alameda County let e-voting data disappear before a recount could be conducted, the court puts the proposition back on the ballot.

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