California - Handsfree Cell Phone Law goes into effect July 1st

Just a heads up. In California the hands-free cell phone law goes into effect July 1st - ie, you can't drive w/ a phone held next to your ear or you'll get a ticket.

Cheers.

I'm so excited about this! It offers me a modicum of assurance that my wife (whoa, :eek: still seems a little weird to say and write) will be that much safer behind the wheel. She dropped by Fry's this morning to pick up a Bluetooth headset. :)

Well that's the theory anyway. Article in LA Times yesterday showed some research saying talking is still distracting & in some cases those who were on cell phones were worse than drunk drivers.

Anyway, the base fine for the first offense is $20, and it's $50 for subsequent convictions.

A separate law, which also takes effect today, prohibits drivers younger than 18 from using any kind of mobile device while driving. They can't even use devices to text message -- something adults are not precluded from doing by the law.

Some areas are giving a 30-days grace period; others intend to aggressively enforce it, starting w/ the holiday weekend, according to LATimes today.

Cheers.

I noticed the LAX motorcycle patrolmen were citing a few people this morning on the departures level.

I'm ALL in favor of this law...

(....having been run off the road on my motorcycle by a woman too busy talking on here cell phone to notice I was in the lane she moved into...)

...I just wish that the fine were the $100 for the first offence that Washington D.C. charges and included a point against your licence; rather than the wimpy $20 and no points.

A separate law, which also takes effect today, prohibits drivers younger than 18 from using any kind of mobile device while driving. They can't even use devices to text message -- something adults are not precluded from doing by the law.

Taking the law literally, how is talking on the phone while driving MORE dangerous than texting? Am I missing something here?

Anybody know a good Bluetooth speakerphone for the car compatible with the iPhone?

The problem with this law is that it does NOT affect text-messaging. I find that that's what most people are doing these days anyway.
If they really crack down on this though it could really generate some revenue for the state.

Speaking for myself, I wish they had included text messaging in the law for adults. How could they leave that out????

I invited my neighbor to a screening of Juno last fall. He drove, but spent most of his time text messaging, which a) was dangerous; b) was rude.

PS - My guess is that it's easier to see people w/ a phone to their ear when driving than it is to see them texting (and presumably texting is only on surface streets vs 80mph, but who knows).

Cheers.