California Cell Phone Law Marks Two Year Anniversary

California’s ban on hand-held devices, namely cell phones, marks its two year anniversary, this week. Although much progress has been made, the California Highway Patrol says a lot more needs to be done to prevent cellphone-related accidents on the highway.

“Many people were accustomed to using cell phones while driving before the law took effect, and it may be difficult for some people to change this practice,” said Commissioner Joe Farrow. “However, we all need to try hard to obey this law since driving is a complex task, requiring a motorist’s full attention. Even a moment of inattention can have disastrous consequences for a driver and those around them.”

Since the law’s inception, more than 244,000 citations have been issued to violating motorists.

Oprah Winfrey jumped on the bandwagon earlier this year when she dedicated an entire hour of her show to the dangers of texting and talking on the cell phone while driving. Her website offers a place for people to take a pledge, promising not to use a hand-held device while they’re driving.

In California, the CHP says leading cause of accidents when it comes to driver distraction. The CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System data shows there have been more than 1,200 collisions throughout the state, where a contributing factor was inattention by the driver due to cell phone usage. Those same collisions resulted in 16 fatalities and more than 850 victims injured.

Not only does the California law prohibit adults from using hand-held devices behind the wheel, it also forbids anyone under the age of 18 from using any type of cell phone– handheld or hands free–while driving.

Cell phone violations carry a minimum base fine of $20 for the first offense and $50 for the second. When court costs and other fees are added to the fines, the total cost of the violation quickly exceeds $100 for the first offense.