As I passed a highway patrol car parked along Olive Avenue on my way in to work, I had to wonder if he was looking to catch people who haven't yet gone hands-free with their cell phones. As of midnight, it's illegal for drivers of any age to hold a cell phone to one ear while they drive but allows use of a hands-free device, such as speaker phones and earpieces.
At least a couple of areas in the state have a grace period. Police in San Diego and Oceanside plan a monthlong grace period before they start strictly enforcing the law, according to an article in yesterday's San Diego Union Tribune. Why do you even need a grace period when we've had 18 months to get ready for this bill to go into effect?
And there is no grace period here. A first offense will cost you $76 and repeat offenses cost $190.
I see no reason for a grace period either. I have a bluetooth and started using it a couple months ago so I could get used to it. It is a pain when trying to call someone most of the time because it douesn't usually get what I say correctly but I will keep using it. I have always used my cell on speaker.
I have no problem with the newly passed California law, prohibiting using a hand-held cell phones while driving. We keep
ours for emergency calls only. By the grace of God, we never had
to use the phone for that purpose.
Being nosy...how did they arrive at $76.00 for first offense, and $ 190.00
for repeat offense. By Jove! I am no math-whiz, but those numbers leave me dangling in nowhere.....
I just got off Highway 41 northbound and saw two people still talking away on hand-held cell phones while driving. My first inclination was to make a citizen's arrest. Not sure how I could do that, although I can dream. But I figure their time will come, especially with all of Chief Dyer's motorcycles patrolling the streets of Fresno for lawbreakers. Use a cell phone without a wireless device, go to jail.