CA ban on cell phone driving starts July 1

http://www.sierrasun.com/article/20080620/NEWS/503583443/1051/LIFE&parent
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Cell Phone Crackdown: In-car cell phone conversations will be outlawed by 
July 1


“We’ve probably all been behind that driver who is just oblivious and 
driving dangerously. Often times, when we get a chance to actually see 
the driver, we see a cell phone up against their head,” said Sgt. Jason 
Litchie of the Truckee Police Department. “Hopefully this new law will 
reduce the number of distracted drivers on the road.”

In September 2006, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation that 
called for a base fine of $20 for a first offense, and $50 for each 
subsequent offense.

Drivers may not consider the $20 fine threatening enough to keep their 
hands at 10 and 2, but motorists who neglect the law and subsequently 
cause a fatal accident could face significant civil liabilities, Litchie 
said.

“If someone causes a fatal or serious injury accident and they were on 
their cell phone, then yes, that would definitely be an issue in the 
case,” Litchie said. “We could bring up the cell phone record to check 
times and depending on the case, it could affect the charges.”

“This is a law that has had tons of advanced notice so there’s no reason 
to issue warnings,” Litchie said.

The law will be even tougher on teenagers, as drivers under 18 will be 
prohibited from using any wireless phone while driving, including the 
hands-free devices that adults will be free to use, Litchie said.

(snip)

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We need to ban all these electronic toys from cars and that includes 
radios.