California,  Cell Phone,  Law

Use a Car Cell Phone – Go To Prison

car cell phone

Graphic courtesy of JAMD

California law changes July 1, 2008 and car cell phone use will be newly regulated. But, prison for illegal use?

The threat of a $20 fine may not sway every California driver from using a hand-held cellphone when a state ban takes effect July 1, but a motorist who ignores the law and causes an accident could face huge civil judgments or even jail if fatalities result.

“If you cause a fatal accident and you are running a stop sign, speeding or crossing a double line, any additional violation would add to the possibility a manslaughter charge could be filed,” said W. Scott Thorpe, chief executive of the California District Attorneys Assn. “It all goes to state of mind and your recklessness.”

This will NOT be an issue for Flap. I find using a cell phone for voice and data to be VERY distracting while driving and no longer use a cell phone at all while a driver.

Life is too important. My cell calls can wait or I will pull over stop and park the car.


13 Comments

  • Charlie on PA Tpk

    Flap, I must take exception here.

    I spend ~4 hours a day driving on my commute, and it is rare when I am not spending part of that time on a cell phone.

    If the same level of punishment is weighed against any reckless driver – be it a pet lover with a poodle on their lap, a man shaving, a mother tending to a child in a car seat, someone apparently searching for a lost CD on the floor, a man eating a bowl of cereal, a fan of the Wall St. Journal, a woman farding, or someone on a cell phone – and this behavior caused an accident as described, then I would agree with the consideration of jail time.

    All of the behaviors above have been witnessed by me while people have motored down interstates or the PA Turnpike, and nearly all of them exceed any danger – real or perceived – of someone speaking on a cell phone.

    I do not protest the penalties for reckless driving; I protest the singling out of one behavior as opposed to cracking down on all reckless behavior.

    Charlie on PA Tpks last blog post..Guess I’m good for now

  • Flap

    Have you ever driven a Los Angeles Freeway?

    Granted eating a bowl of cereal or reading a newspaper is bad as well but for me one less distraction is a personal choice.

    In LA if you see an erratic driver during the day, you can bet they are talking on their cell phone. At dusk/night, they have been drinking, are on their cell phone or both.

  • traffic ticket las vegas

    I am very glad lawmakers have finally passed this law. Cell phones have been creating reckless drivers for far too long now, and people need to be regulated. They are currently making Hands-free cell phone devices more and more affordable and easy to use. However, now we have to deal with the problem of Text messaging while driving which is probably an even more hazardous action on the road. This is something cell phone manufacturers will have to address in the coming year

  • Best Cell Phone

    I agree with the new law.
    I also stop my car when I want to receive or make a call. It’s safer for me. Much much safer.

    I love my life, I love my car, and I love my family.

  • Flüge Thailand

    Cell phones drivers are causing as many,accidents than drunks, then they should be punished the same way.
    I totally agree with the lawmakers who passed that law, but I don’t know why they are only concentrated on that behaviour. They must also try to put an end to other msibehavioursl. I think eating a bowl of cereal on road is as hazardous a using the cellphone.

  • LED Tail

    am very glad lawmakers have finally passed this law. Cell phones have been creating reckless drivers for far too long now, and people need to be regulated

  • Cell Phone Headsets

    They are currently making Hands-free cell phone devices more and more affordable and easy to use. However, now we have to deal with the problem of Text messaging while driving which is probably an even more hazardous action on the road.