Just received from the Sac Bee.
Schwarzenegger bans texting while driving
By Kevin Yamamura – kyamamura@sacbee.com
Published 4:48 pm PDT Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Keep those typing fingers on the steering wheel, California.
Drivers will be banned from text messaging while operating a motor vehicle starting Jan. 1 under a bill Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Wednesday.
“Building on legislation already helping save lives in California, I am happy to sign this bill because it further encourages safe and responsible driving,” Schwarzenegger said in a release. “Banning electronic text messaging while driving will keep drivers’ hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road, making our roadways a safer place for all Californians.”
Drivers caught texting while driving will face fines of $76 for a first offense, including state and local fees, under Senate Bill 28 by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto.
Juice readers. To read the entire story simply click on the following link:
Damn, next thing you know I wont be able to use my laptop while driving and then my participation here is really going to go way down.
Yeah, Anonyms, and after that, I won’t be able to put on my make-up or read the newspaper! I’ll be ugly AND uninformed …
Longboobs, (thanks for playing along)
Next thing you know I won’t even be able to shave or change clothes while driving … and, OMG! I’ll actually have to stop to eat! AAAAAAAAA how will I make those deadlines? We’re DOOMED!
P.S. you will never be ugly or uninformed – just my guess
At least they have not banned the driver’s pal, you can still go to the toilet and still drive.
Well, the devil is in the details.
Can I use my “drive to” function on my cell phone while I’m driving? Will that be considered texting and who could tell the difference from outside the car?
Frankly I view all of the laws like this and seatbelt & helmet laws as intrusive into private space.
It’s your ability to carry out safe driving practices that really should be the issue, There are a ton of bad drivers who generally are not breaking laws who should not have driving privileges, period. Some folks really can perform insane tasks behind the wheel and still be focused and in control. Others have a great deal of difficulty simply getting to the store and home without an altercation of some sort. It should be much easier to give tickets for bad driving behavior or revoking their privilege, without stopping people from doing what they are capable of doing safely.
One more step on the road to being wards of the state.
Carl.
I’m safe, at least for this year. They have not outlawed reading maps or newspapers as we drive.
There are numerous multitasking efforts by drivers tooling down the freeway that are just as dangerous as using a cell phone.
Welcome to the “nanny” state of California.
Larry,
I can only speak for myself, but trying to read that now insanely small type in the Thomas Guide (it was much bigger a few years ago, wasn’t it?) is far more dangerous that using my phones GPS function. Trying to look through my reading glasses while driving is just nuts, and I am still trying to learn to use my invisa-lines without vertigo.
anonyms, thank you for the self-esteem boost.
Cook, what is this “driver’s pal” of which you speak? I believe I could use one, so I can skip half these McDonald’s and Starbucks on my long drives.
My guess is that enforcement will still be due to the probable cause of reckless driving (unless you or the cop are being a dick) and that this will just result in two charges for the same behavior. A neat way of increasing the fine without increasing the fine.