New CHP Laws on cell phones
April 14, 2008
Going into
Effective July 1st 2008
DRIVER 18 AND OVER
- Drivers 18 and over will be allowed to use a hands- free device to talk on their wireless telephone while driving.
- The new law does not prohibit dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while driving.
- It is legal to use a Blue Tooth or other earpiece so long as only one ear is uncovered.
- Speaker phone is acceptable to use while driving. The law does not specifically prohibit it its use, but an officer can pull over and issue a citation to drivers of any age if, in the officer’s opinion, the driver was distracted and not operating the vehicle safely. Text paging while driving is unsafe at any speed and strongly discouraged.
DRIVERS UNDER 18
- No drivers under the age of 18 may use a wireless telephone, pager, laptop, or any other electronic communication or mobile services device to speak or to text while driving in any manner, even hands free.
- The exception is in emergency situation to call police, fire or medical authorities.
- Statistics show that teen drivers are more likely than older drivers to be involved in crashes because they lack driving experience and tend to take greater risks. Teen drivers are vulnerable to driving distractions such as talking with passengers, eating, or drinking and talking or texting on wireless phones, which increase the change of getting involved in serious vehicle crashes.
- Parents cannot grant permission to allow the use wireless telephones while driving.
- For drivers under the age or 18, this considered a SECOND violation meaning that a law enforcement officer may cite you for using a hands- free wireless phone if you were pulled over for another violation. However, the prohibition against using a handheld telephone while driving is a PRIMARY violation for which a law enforcement officer can pull you over.
Fines
- First offence- $20
- Second Offence – $50
DRIVE SAFELY
