Sorry - but I applaud California for the new law. Lot's of the folks around here only have half a brain to start with and then they stick that phone in there ear and lose the other half trying to hold a conversation, phone, and steering wheel at the same time. And Michigan - can't believe you guys didn't have a child restraint law already. I thought all the states had had that for years. Well, I guess with all these new laws and us having to slow down to save gas we will all just live FOREVER !! wouldn't that be nice
Q: Does the new “hands-free” law allow drivers 18 and over to text message while driving?
A: The law does not specifically prohibit that, but an officer can pull over and issue a citation to a driver of any age if, in the officer’s opinion, the driver was distracted and not operating the vehicle safely. Sending text messages while driving is unsafe at any speed and is strongly discouraged.
Yeh, I like the law too. But will CHP stop them? Seeing the speeding and agressive driving on the I-15 and 215 corridor from Temucula to Riverside that never gets stopped, I'd say the chance rachet jawing on the phone won't even make a blip on the CHP screen. There must be an awfully lot of important people out there on the road, that have to be on the phone all the time. I wish all drivers had a chance to flag traffic in a work zone and see all the brain dead drivers approaching you. Always wear your track shoes!
As a resident of CA for these past 40 years, I have seen many changes in driving habits over the years. My job position has me driving between 350 and 500 miles every week. Since the cell phone explosion, I have certainly seen many more distracted drivers with that cell phone in their hands.It seems that many drivers have learned the art of eating or drinking coffee while driving and doing it without taking their eyes off the road, but with cell phones, many seem much more distracted. I really love watching the person who has to gesture wildly when talking, with both hands off the wheel!
I have my bluetooth device ready, since I have to take phone calls from time to time when I am on the road, and I can see where it has certain advantages. I can answer it or even make a call with voice dialing with less distraction. BTW, I often pull off the road to a safe place to stop when talking on my cell phone.(but not always)
That said, the learning curve for many with these devices will be even more of a distraction and in the end, I really doubt that the roads will be any safer for it. The only bright side is that perhaps less drivers will be using cell phones for awhile until everyone has one of these required devices.
And for once, California did NOT lead the way with this law!!
WA hands free law goes into effect tomorrow too, but they can't stop you for the violation, it is only a secondary offense. You have to do something else that allows you to be stopped, but ....
Deen - Vancouver, WA
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I use my cell phone so little I do not even know the number to give out. My message box is full but I don't bother with or know how to get them or delete them messeges. My phone never rings in the vehicle even though it sits in the console because it is always turned off. I do make a few calls now and then while parked or away from the vehicle. Hang up and drive and you will not have any trouble with this law.
Washington state starts their new cell phone law tomorrow also. I wish it wasn't a secondary law, which means they have to see you drive like an idiot to stop you. I have had more women pull out in front of me at intersections. I don't know what is so darn important that you have to live with a phone in your ear all the time. I always think of the lady who was breast feeding her baby will driving down the freeway plus talking on a cell phone. When the cops stopped her, she had the baby on the trunk lid of the car with her purse, trying to look for her license, and all the while still talking on that damn phone.
old guy wrote: Washington state starts their new cell phone law tomorrow also. I wish it wasn't a secondary law, which means they have to see you drive like an idiot to stop you. I have had more women pull out in front of me at intersections. I don't know what is so darn important that you have to live with a phone in your ear all the time. I always think of the lady who was breast feeding her baby will driving down the freeway plus talking on a cell phone. When the cops stopped her, she had the baby on the trunk lid of the car with her purse, trying to look for her license, and all the while still talking on that damn phone.
Usually it's only a secondary law for a year or two (to give people time to get used to it), then it becomes a primary law.
That's the way New Jersey did it with the seatbelt law years ago, and now with the cell phone law. Both started as secondary and are now primary.
Paul (Mouse)
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