Sacramento, California, USA -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California
Highway Patrol (CHP) today issued an important reminder to all motorists
that two new restrictions on the use of cellular phones while driving go
into effect on July 1. The first law prohibits anyone from using a hand-held
cell phone while operating a vehicle on California roadways. Operators of
vehicles requiring a Class "A" or Class "B" driver's license, such as large
trucks, can use a push-to-talk device such as a Nextel through 2010.
"We know that cell phones are the number one cause of distracted-driving
accidents. Getting people's hands off their phones and onto their steering
wheels will save lives and make California's roads safer," said Gov.
Schwarzenegger.
The second law going into effect July 1 prohibits anyone under the age of
18 from using any type of cell phone while driving. Cell phones can continue
to be used by those 18 and older if they have either a wireless or hard-wired
head set in one ear.
"New, inexperienced drivers need to focus their full attention on operating
a vehicle and not be distracted by phone calls," said CHP Commissioner Joe
Farrow.
Violations carry a minimum base fine of $20 for the first offense and $50
for subsequent offenses. When court costs and other fees are added to the
fines, they often double or even triple the amount of the base fine. There
will be no grace period to avoid penalties under these new laws and officers
can begin issuing citations July 1.
According to CHP statistics, 1,091 crashes in 2007 were blamed on drivers
using hand-held cell phones. A total of 447 people were injured in those
crashes.
For more information about the new cell phone laws, including a list of
frequently asked questions in English and Spanish, please visit the CHP's
website at www.chp.ca.gov.
From left to right: Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, CHP Commissioner
Joe Farrow, Caltrans Director Will Kepmton, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger,
Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Secretary Dale Bonner, CHP Southern
Division Chief Warren Stanley and Alhambra Police Chief Jim Hudson
Photo Credit: Duncan McIntosh, Office of Governor Schwarzenegger. |
