California...no more cells while driving

[mrrangerrick]

As of Sunday, it will be illegal to even touch a cell phone while driving a car. It's a $20 ticket for the first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. I don't think anything will change. We can only hope...

[Sendmicheck]

I can not make up my mind if this is a good or bad idea for not even to touch your phone in California while driving.

[tuyetmai]

Never heard of that, when it will be legal?  I think it only for safety but don't think it would be that bad.

[tantricia44]

I think it's just too harsh! Yah, ticket a person breaking law but what if you're just putting the cell away will he be fined for holding his phone to put it away?

[ancmetro]

      "Distracted driving" is a dead end. If you need to talk to someone on your cell phone pull over and then use it. When you are done, then go back to your driving. Any distraction while driving could have serious consequences. Why risk it?

[sdenimandlace1]

Wow. That could be a good new rule.

[alina6]

I definitely see how cell phones are distracting while driving even if you are not texting. It is a good rule. We all did it before there were cell phones.

[Tresbn00]

I don't think that it will change anything. There are not enough police to adequately enforce that law. It is also illegal to spit in public, not use your directional and failure to turn into the left-most lane when turning left but how many tickets get written for these offenses? I think that it will be used to ferret out bigger crimes like driving under the influence. A few of my friends are police officers and they have acknowledged that they use these offenses if they think that the pull-over could lead to more dangerous crimes. And does talking on a cellular in California while driving pose a hazard risk when the average speed is five miles per hour due to traffic jams? I refrain from using my cellular just to set an example. I can generally tell that people are talking on their phones just by mistakes they make while driving.

[Bigpar31]

I think the fines should be higher.

[lhz123]

     I like that rule , hope fine higher.

[haimsterette]

I mean, I think it's a good effort, but 1. people tend not to listen to these things, and 2. another poster is right that there aren't enough officers to actually enforce this. What about texting while walking? I remember there was an influx of videos of people walking into traffic, into the areas that subways pass through, etc. because they were distracted by texting. 

[mrrangerrick]

I think it's weird...cops probably won't enforce it. It's "illegal" to be on the phone while driving (unless it's "hands free"), but cops never pull anyone over for it. I don't understand how it's illegal for me to hold my phone while it's giving me step by step directions via voice commands.

[heypeg]

I wonder how they will enforce this.

[fjaz1]

Good way to make money for more needed things and a better way to save lives More states should adopt this law.

[ricdsm]

I still see folks talking on their phones all the time.