New Hands-Free Cell Phone Law Goes Into Effect in July
On July 1, 2008, California will institute a new hands-free cell phone law. Drivers over the age of 18 may still use a cell phone with a hands-free head set. Drivers under the age of 18 will not be allowed to use a cell phone at all while driving.
If caught using a cell phone while driving, the first offense will be a $20 fine. Every citation afterwards will be $50. There is not a grace period.
The use of cell phones while driving has been the number one cause of driver distraction in the state of California for the past six years according to the California Highway Patrol.
The Senator who instituted the bill believes that the use of hands-free devices will help to save between 300 and 900 lives every year. Despite the belief that hands-free devices will help to prevent injuries and fatalities, studies continue to indicate that the use of cell phones, whether hands-free or hand-held, is a significant driver distraction.
Overall, the bill is intended to prevent and decrease the amount car wrecks and the resulting injuries and fatalities. Car wreck attorneys are working on cases in which serious injury and fatality has resulted from driver distraction and neglect.