State Sen. Joe Simitian's bid to increase the effectiveness of California's distracted driving laws has failed, at least for 2010. Senate Bill 1475 would have would more than doubled fines on the trio of distracted driving laws that the senator pushed through in recent years. The bill also would have applied the laws against text messaging and use of handheld cell phones to California's bicyclists. "The deadline for bills to pass the Appropriations Committee was Aug. 13, and since the cell phone bill did not pass the committee by the deadline, it died there," said Phil Yost of Simitian's … [Read more...]
Texting, California driving don’t mix
January 2, 2009 by 1 Comment
California's text-messaging law went into effect on Jan. 1, making it illegal for drivers to use wireless devices to send, receive or read electronic files while on the road. The new law joins two other laws affecting drivers that took effect in midsummer: a ban on the use of cell phones unless a hands-free device is enabled, and a total ban on cell phone use by motorists under 18. (Update): In the first month, the Highway Patrol wrote 88 citations for text messaging statewide. That does not include tickets from deputies and police. Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, pushed through the … [Read more...]
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