Starting July 1, 2008.. It's illegal to use a cell phone while driving in California!

[Andrew LB]

Due to popular demand, the state of California will begin enforcement of the "Cell phone while driving" ban on July 1st of this year!

I for one am very happy this is finally going into effect. Most people out here in California drive like idiots to begin with... and when you add a cell phone in the persons hand while talking to the mix, it just gets worse.

There are exceptions to this law however. If using a cell phone while driving, you must have a bluetooth headset, earbud, or a vehicle equipped with a bluetooth enabled sound system (like my Audi does).

It also seems that New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Washington, D.C., have similar laws. Can you guys from those states tell me whether or not the law is being enforced?

Thx!

Here's an article on this.

http://www.computerworld.com/action/...icleId=9003363

[[XC] leviathan18]

the audi bt rox, is the best feature in my car lol

[Ashraf]

Yes, it is illegal to use a cellular phone while driving in New York. However, you are allowed to use a hands-free cellular phone.

[Andrew LB]

^^^ Do they actually enforce the cell phone law?

[Ashraf]

^^^ Do they actually enforce the cell phone law?

Yes, the law is not new in NY. If a person has to use a cellular phone, then a person must stop driving.

[YukonTrooper]

I don't oppose this law at all.

[Envydia007]

I like this law. As a cell tech myself I do hate to see people using the cellfone whule driving specially women. We all know that they dont drive well and its a bad combination.

[clayton]

Lotta people use bluetooth nowadays in Cali. However, I still see some of them criminals with phones like me, rolling around town with 1 hand on the steering wheel. XD

[Andrew LB]

Yes, the law is not new in NY. If a person has to use a cellular phone, then a person must stop driving.

How about this.....

Do the cops actually FINE people? Or do they warn them and send them on their merry way?

I do hate to see people using the cellfone whule driving specially women. We all know that they dont drive well and its a bad combination.

I hate ANYONE who is holding their cell phone to their ear while driving, regardless of them being a woman or not. But it's definitely true that at least out here in California.... the vast majority of people I see on cell phones are women.

And to add to that, out of the 5 times another car has hit mine... 4 of them were on the cell phone... 3 of them women. And that's only in 14 years of driving!

[RAW-Raptor22]

How about this.....

Do the cops actually FINE people? Or do they warn them and send them on their merry way?



I hate ANYONE who is holding their cell phone to their ear while driving, regardless of them being a woman or not. But it's definitely true that at least out here in California.... the vast majority of people I see on cell phones are women.

And to add to that, out of the 5 times another car has hit mine... 4 of them were on the cell phone... 3 of them women. And that's only in 14 years of driving!

I live in Northern California, and I have heard that although it is illegal for talking on a phone while driving, you cannot be pulled over for it. To be slammed for doing it you have to be pulled over for something else, (like a moving violation) for them to add it to your ticket.

My phone has a speakerphone and I can put it in my lap and talk to anyone fine while driving. Would this be illegal because im not using one of those expensive stupidass BS bluetooth headsets?

[[XC] Hicks121]

Yes, it is illegal to use a cellular phone while driving in New York. However, you are allowed to use a hands-free cellular phone.

Same in Chicago.

[Andrew LB]

I live in Northern California, and I have heard that although it is illegal for talking on a phone while driving, you cannot be pulled over for it. To be slammed for doing it you have to be pulled over for something else, (like a moving violation) for them to add it to your ticket.

I know a few police here in Los Angeles and will find out what the real deal is on this. I recall reading in a few articles that you can be pulled over for using a cell phone just like they can pull you over for not wearing a seatbelt.

My phone has a speakerphone and I can put it in my lap and talk to anyone fine while driving. Would this be illegal because im not using one of those expensive stupidass BS bluetooth headsets?

I'm not sure if a cell phones speakerphone constitutes as legal. I'm pretty sure it will be either a bluetooth headset, or a cheap $10 ear bud thing, or something along those lines.

[RAW-Raptor22]

I know a few police here in Los Angeles and will find out what the real deal is on this. I recall reading in a few articles that you can be pulled over for using a cell phone just like they can pull you over for not wearing a seatbelt.



I'm not sure if a cell phones speakerphone constitutes as legal. I'm pretty sure it will be either a bluetooth headset, or a cheap $10 ear bud thing, or something along those lines.

Yeah, hmm. Im curious because I usually pull over to dial, and then put it on my lap and never have to even touch it, besides having to close the phone. The cops wouldnt see anything anyway I suppose. Just some loon talking to himself.

[n00b 0f l337]

I'm in NJ and yes they enforce this like all hell. Doesn't stop me from having phone on in my lap on speaker or texting with it in one hand below window line though.

[Ethelred]

We have a law similar to this in Arizona (but it's texting) and they won't pull anyone over for it, however, they will cite you for it in addition to the reason why they pulled you over if they catch you doing something illegal and you happened to be texting while doing that. If that helps any, I find it preposterous to think that the cops would spend their days looking at whether or not someone had a phone to their ear while driving.

[Polizei]

Some parts of Ohio have this law, but I don't know how much they enforce it.

[WeedJunk]

Here in Belgium, you get a 100EUR fine if you're holding a cellphone to your ear while driving. And they pull you over for sure for that

[Kai Robinson]

Same here. You get pulled over, fined, points on your license.

Its a good idea - you cant control a car correctly with one hand, and i dont think people should be doing something that affects their concentration either.

[Marvin_The_Martian]

I find it preposterous to think that the cops would spend their days looking at whether or not someone had a phone to their ear while driving.

I find it preposterous that you think that. Want to measure your reaction time while on the phone in relation with when you're doing what you're supposed to do, controlling a potentially lethal weapon ( = car ).

Edit: shouldn't say, on the phone, those with bt or w/e are also on the phone. But having to manually fumble with the thing to pick up a caller, dail someone ect and having just one hand to actually drive the car is imo a bad thing. Not to sure about the lap guys, if you don't have to fumble with the phone it's ok with me, but NoL texting equals fumbling with the thing. I'm sure you can text blindly but still, don't think your reaction time will be the same as when you're concentrated on your driving.

[jimmyz]

This is one of the rare laws that I believe in. people need to realise the seriousness.

[onewingedangel]

Anything that distracts you from the road is a danger. The worst I've personally seen is some idiot trying to eat a McDonalds whilst driving on a motorway.

Seriously

[Origin_Unknown]

Same here. You get pulled over, fined, points on your license.

Its a good idea - you cant control a car correctly with one hand, and i dont think people should be doing something that affects their concentration either.

can you tell my other half that please she doesnt listen to me on that subject

[Ashraf]

Do the cops actually FINE people? Or do they warn them and send them on their merry way?

Yes, they would give you a ticket if you got caught. The cops don't need to warn them. Drivers were already told it was illegal during a 5-hour class and/or driving lessons to get a driver license.

[Kai Robinson]

Have her look at this:

http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/ad...bilephones.htm

Particularly this section:

"If you accept a roadside fixed penalty notice, you will receive 3 points on your licence and a fine of £60. If a case goes to court, in addition to points, you could face discretionary disqualification on top a maximum fine of £1,000 (or £2,500 in the case of drivers of buses/coaches and goods vehicles)."

Alternatively, just let her get caught 4 times and her license will be revoked so she cant do it again...

[MrSlacker]

In NYC, the cellphone law is enforced heavily. However, I have to admit that I don't follow it. I hate the feel of bluetooth headset in my ear and speaker function of my phone is annoying. I just try not to make calls while I am driving... only to call someone if I am picking them up to come outside or something like that.