I drive around a lot as a Santa Cruz real estate broker. Since I am out a lot, I get to see many people driving. The cell phone laws changed in Santa Cruz California, as they did across the state. The first portion of the cell phone law went into effect in July 2008. The law change((California Vehicle Code [VC] §23123)) required that all drivers over 18 use a hands free devices and not hold the phones up to their ears. I am glad to see that I mostly observe teens being responsible. Yeah for the maligned teens! Now if only those 20-50 year old would wise up and save the rest of us grief and dangerous situations as they blab endlessly as they drive. Who knows, could you be one of them?
I see a lot of idiots out there who don’t seem to understand they are breaking the law. I am sure you probably notice them as they swerve along the roadways. You may even see them while looking in the mirror. While the fines are only $20 for the first offense and $50 for each violation after, I am surprised I don’t see it enforced much as it is so obvious. While the violation will show on your record ,you at least won’t get charged a point, which would impact your insurance. Frankly I think it should based on some of the driving I have seen. You are not supposed to hold the phone, it is to be hands free.
No drivers under 18 are to be on the phone talking and driving. The loophole to this law, was that you could text,at any age. To read the text of the hands free cell phone law that did not include texting, follow the link.
While I think texting is mostly popular in the teenage set, older drivers could have done that as well.When the original hands free cell phone law went into effect, all of us thought, how stupid that texting was not included.
You definitely have to take your eyes off the road to text. We all know how teenager love to talk and text, so that loophole has been closed. That problem with the original law is going to be changed effective January 1, 2009, where California will join six other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, not just teens.The other states with the law on the books are Alaska, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washington.
The original intent of the law was to make the roads safer for all, and also to protect our young drivers.The leading cause of teenager fatalities, are from vehicular accidents. According to the National Safety council’s statistics, about 44% of teen deaths in the United States are from car accidents. The CHP has determined that the #1 source of driver distraction, is the cell phone, in vehicular accidents. It becomes clear that teens particularly, engage in risky behavior, and are easily distracted. It is no wonder then that 16 years old have crash rates 10 TIMES higher that drivers in the 30-59 year age brackets. Now you understand why teenage drivers insurance is so high.
As parents, one of our jobs it to be a role model, and driving while talking on the phone is not what you want to do.Not only is it dangerous, and illegal, it is not being a positive role model for your teen.
To read up on the SB 28 by Joe Simitian on the banning of text messaging while driving and other vehicle related laws affecting you during 2009, follow the link.
Posted by: Gregg Camp
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