California: Cell phone laws, legislation
Last updated: July 5, 2009 · Print this report
Current prohibitions:
Adult drivers (18 and older) must use hands-free devices.
Drivers may not use wireless devices to “to write, send, or read a text-based communication” — as in text messaging.
Texting (text messaging) currently is illegal for drivers under the age of 18. (Use of devices including pagers, two-way messaging mobile units and PDAs.)
Minors are prohibited from using wireless phones while driving — with or without hands-free devices.
School bus operators and transit bus drivers prohibited from using cell phones while driving.
Pending legislation:
None
Legislation notes:
As of May 31, 2009, the California Highway Patrol has issued 101,676 citations for use of handheld cell phones or text messaging devices. The cell phone law went into effect July 1, 2008, and enforcement of the texting ban began Jan. 1, 2009.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 33, the hands-free cell phone bill, into law in September 2006.
State Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, had been trying to pass the bill for six years. He was resisted by all of the major cell phone providers except Verizon, although in the end only Sprint protested the action. After SB 33 passed, the senator later succeeded with SB 1613, which places the cell phone and texting limits on teen drivers.
Then Simitian added the ban on text-messaging while driving to the state’s lawbooks in late September 2008, when Schwarzenegger signed the legislation. SB 28 was approved and sent to the governor on Aug. 21, 2008. It took effect Jan. 1, 2009.
Cell phone and text-messaging fines: First offense $20. Other convictions, $50. “With court costs and penalties, the true costs of those tickets are $76 and $190, respectively,” the Los Angeles Times reports.
View the posts:
California spikes drivers’ text messaging
California’s hands-free law now in effect
Is there a web site or call in number where a citizen can report cell phone use while driving, something like the 1-800-EXHAUST for cell phones????
Stanley … Haven’t heard of one, and I doubt the cops would have the time or inclination to chase after tips. In a perfect world, there would be a service that would send a letter to the violators once someone reports them, like the smog line. Thanks for the question.
Well, with the way things are going here in San Francisco, anything is possible… MUNI, our City transit service, is apparently now fitted with a couple different cameras in strategic positions on the exterior of some vehicles and is snapping pictures of cars – and their license plates – that are parked in red-zoned bus stops when a bus pulls up and is unable to pull into the zone because a car is parked in it. People are shocked to receive their photo and a citation later in the mail – the citations run about $300 I believe. A little offtopic, but just demonstration of that anything is possible.