California - Dec 31 Is Last Day To Text While Driving: Arnold

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law a measure banning motorists from text-messaging and e-mailing while operating a vehicle.

The law takes effect Jan. 1.

"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 using their phones to write, read or send messages will be hit with a $76 ticket the first time and more on subsequent offenses.

Drivers caught using their phones to write, read or send messages will be hit with a $76 ticket the first time and more on subsequent offenses. ^ Drivers caught using their phones to write, read or send messages will be hit with a $76 ticket the first time and more on subsequent offenses. Wow...so when I'm driving to the airport and the airline sends me a text alert that my flight has been cancelled and rescheduled for 3 days later, I won't be able to find out until I get all the way to the airport! :eek:

Yeah Arnold! Can't believe they left this loophole in when they did the hands-free bill earlier this year.

I invited my neighbor to a screening earlier this year & he drove. He texted most of the way to/from the screening. Besides being incredibly rude, it was also dangerous as he wasn't paying attention & nearly rammed into a few cars.

Cheers.

But apparently I can still eat my double-double w/ fries and a shake...that's not distracting at all :rolleyes:

^ Wow...so when I'm driving to the airport and the airline sends me a text alert that my flight has been cancelled and rescheduled for 3 days later, I won't be able to find out until I get all the way to the airport! :eek:

Because we all know there is NOWHERE to pull over and take a text message SAFELY between Mike's house and the airport...

:rolleyes:

Well one loophole still left open. Arnold didn't sign the bill that said you couldn't drive w/ a dog in your lap. Said that he had so many bills to sign & was only signing important ones...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law a measure banning motorists from text-messaging and e-mailing while operating a vehicle.

The law takes effect Jan. 1.

"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 using their phones to write, read or send messages will be hit with a $76 ticket the first time and more on subsequent offenses.

Wow. I'm sure this will be as well-enforced as the requirement for hands-free phone useage. And is this another one of those laws that can only be enforced as a secondary violation (i.e., the cops have to pull you over for moving violation or something else before they can write a ticket for texting)? Overall, I think this is a big waste. If it's so important, why doesn't it take effect 10/1 or 11/1 or 12/1? People need a "notice period" to stop texting, especially after what happened in LA a few weeks ago?

Whew! Looks like it's still OK to apply makeup and shave while driving. And to use a standard ballpoint to write on one of those clipboard holders suction-cupped to the dash. And to watch a GPS display. And to fiddle with an iPod and other music systems. And to watch a video. And to search pockets/purse for cigarettes and lighter. And to turn around and yell at your kids, or turn to face the passenger next to you while talking and driving...

I don't know what I'll do if they ban these things, too! :mad: