DMV gave us almost a year to prepare for the hands-free law passed and set to go into effect July 1, 2009. The one thing that made many scratch their head was the grey area on texting. The law essentially left texting while driving a grey are left to the discretion of the officer to enforce. It turns out the powers that be realized texting while driving was a bigger issue than they thought.
As of January 1, 2009, a new law will be in effect to prohibit any two way communication while driving. This apply to instant messaging, texting and e-mailing while operating a vehicle. Similar laws have been in place for years in other countries.
As stated by DMV on their website:
"Starting January 1, 2009 a new law will go into effect where writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication while driving will be against the law for all drivers in California.
This new law applies to electronic wireless communications devices used to manually communicate with any person using text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail.
Violating this law is punishable by a base fine of $20 for a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. With the addition of penalty assessments, fines can be more than triple the base fine amount."
Of course, it would have made sense to add this into the original law but better late than never. I suggest changing your ways sooner than later as January 1 is only a few short months away.
Oh and for those of you that refuse to buy a Bluetooth, get off the phone! Setting it on your chest or holding it away from your head on speaker phone doesn't cut it.
Happy Motoring,
Lance
I wonder how many have been nailed by the exiting law - probably not many[?]. I still see a lot of drivers yakking on their phones.
I was behind one guy who was holding up traffic and I honked and he just waved his phone and kept up the slow pace. Some folks are just self-centered...
Thanks Lance for posting our media advisory on this new law. However I must clarify something. DMV didn't author the Cell Phone bill nor the subsequent Texting Bill. DMV very rarely if ever author bills that go into the Vehicle code. Senator Joe Simitian authored both bills. The first law was authored before texting became popular and wasn't looked at as "the norm" as it is now hence the new law.
Jan Mendoza
DMV Media Relations