Tuesday, 01 July 2008 03:22

Hands Free Driving Law Takes Effect

slide17.pngCalifornia Highway Patrol officials will begin enforcing another long-anticipated restriction taking effect today- hands-free cell phone usage. In an upcoming broadcast, TSPN plans on bringing you exclusive video coverage of California Highway Officials enforcing the new law. California’s latest traffic affiliated regulation is actually under 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 AltoSimitian 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. introduced the bill. On his Web site,