Friday, 27 June 2008 02:28

Hands-Free Driving Law Takes Effect

slide13.pngNext Tuesday, July 1st, will be the first day that the new hands- free wireless driving law takes effect. TSPN news is planning on bringing you an exclusive report on the penalty’s enforcement. The penalty is actually two separate laws. One law prohibits all drivers from using hand-held wireless devices. The second law pertains to those less than 18 years old. Younger drivers are not allowed to use a cell phone at all. Worried that distracted drivers are causing too many accidents on California streets, roads, and highways, State Senator Joe Simitian from Palo Alto introduced the bill. On his Web site, Simitian says, “Cell phones are the number 1 cause identified in distracted driving accidents for all five years the CHP has collected data.” Electronic signs on state highways now warn drivers of the impending fines. If you're caught breaking the laws you'll be fined 76 dollars for the first offense and 190 for any additional offenses. Officers say there will be no grace period.