California Bans Cell Phone Use While Driving

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will sign a bill today that bans handheld cell phone use while driving. California will be the fourth state to put such a ban in place. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have similar bills. Californians have a while to adjust to the new law, though; it won’t go into effect until July 1, 2008. The law will allow for cell phone use with hands-free devices such as Bluetooth headsets. Fines for breaking the new law will be $20 for the first offense and $50 every time after, but none of the tickets will impact the driver’s insurance. Many cars sold today feature their own built-in hands-free devices, and we’d expect that by July 2008 many more vehicles will come with the technology standard.

[Handheld phone ban for drivers, San Francisco Chronicle]