| California Hands-Free Law |
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Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Bill Requiring Drivers to Use Hands Free Devices While Talking on a Mobile Phone Gov. Schwarzenegger signed SB 1613 by Sen. Joseph Simitian (D-Palo Alto) that would prohibit the use of a cell phone in a moving vehicle unless the driver is using a hands free device. “The simple fact is it’s dangerous to talk on your cell phone while driving. CHP data show that cell phones are the number one cause of distracted-driving accidents,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger. “So getting people’s hands off their phones and onto their steering wheels is going to make a big difference in road safety. The ‘Hands-Free’ cell phone bill will save lives by making our roads safer. I want to thank Senator Simitian for authoring this bill and for his commitment to the safety of his fellow Californians.” Specifically, SB 1613 will: • Prohibit the use of cell phones by drivers unless the driver is using a hands-free device starting July 1, 2008. • Allow drivers of commercial vehicles to use push-to-talk phones until July 1, 2011. • Allow drivers to make emergency phone calls without using a hands-free device. • Allow drivers of emergency response vehicles to use cell phone without a hands-free device. Distracted driving leads to tens of thousands of car accidents annually, with many of these accidents resulting in serious injuries or even death. Distractions while driving include eating, drinking, changing the radio station, reading and using a cell phone. For many of these distractions, there is no practical alternative other than banning the activity. However, there is a practical alternative to holding a cell phone – using a hands-free device. Hands-free devices are very inexpensive and most new phones come with an earpiece. Using a hands-free device while driving does not eliminate the distraction that comes with cell phones. Talking on the phone and dialing and hanging up the phone create a distraction. However, requiring drivers to use hands-free devices better ensures that drivers have two hands free to place on the wheel while driving. |
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