Drivers have 6 months to get hands-free cellphones
New law goes into effect July 1, same day teens have to stop using the devices behind the wheel
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

California drivers face a variety of new road rules in 2008, including a requirement for hands-free cellphone devices. Most new laws went into effect Jan. 1, but perhaps the most highly anticipated law- that drivers can only use a hands-free cellphone while driving- goes into effect July 1.

A similar but more restrictive law that goes into effect the same day, prohibits minors from using any mobile communication device- hands-free or not- while driving. As is the case with the adult cellphone law, emergency purposes are exempted.

When signing the bills into law, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cited California Highway Patrol data which show cellphone use is the number one cause of distracteddriving accidents.

Schwarzenegger said requiring drivers to use handsfree devices better ensures they will have their hands free to place on the wheel while driving.

Cellphone use isn't the only activity motorists engage in while driving, but Simi Valley Police Sgt. Jeff Dominick said it's probably the easiest to regulate because police can observe the activity.

Although Dominick didn't know of any major accidents in Simi Valley that involved drivers using a cellphone, he said he's seen people driving dangerously slow while text messaging on cellphones.

"Hopefully (the new law) will put an end to that type of thing," Dominick said.

Any manipulation of a cellphone, except for hitting the "send" button, will be a violation of the law and drivers can be cited.

Along with driving under the influence, cellphone use while driving diminishes a motorist's reaction time and ability to drive safely, Dominick said.

In Camarillo, only 11 out of the 851 traffic accidents in 2007 involved drivers using their cellphones. Four of the 11 collisions involved minor injuries.

Drivers, however, shouldn't become complacent because of the low numbers, Senior Dep. Julie Novak said, and just because a major accident involving a distracted driver on a cellphone hasn't occurred yet in Camarillo doesn't mean it won't.

Any motor vehicle has the potential to maim and kill.

"I think people lose sight of that," Novak said. "We must pay attention to our driving and everyone else's driving also."

A law effective Jan. 1 made it illegal to smoke in a vehicle when a minor is present; they could face a $100 fine. The law applies whether or not the vehicle is moving but does not permit law enforcement officers to pull a driver over solely for that reason.

It's also now illegal to use or sell spray coating or any other product that interferes with electronic devices, such as cameras that catch red-light and tollbooth violators, designed to read a vehicle's license plate.

Law enforcement can now tow vehicles that display false registration tags or license plates. In the past, officers could tow a vehicle only when the registration was more than six months out of date.

Operators of Segways and other electronic mobile devices have to travel at speeds safe for the road conditions and in a manner that won't endanger others. Operators also must give pedestrians and disabled people the right of way.

Anyone applying for or renewing a driver's license to operate school, youth group or public transportation buses must now have a medical exam before the license is granted.

Whether renewing or applying for a driver's license for the first time, applicants must now sign a statement acknowledging that they could be charged with murder if someone dies as a result of driving under the influence.

Another new law says those who commit serious traffic violations cannot use traffic school or other court-approved safe-driving programs to be exonerated.

State legislators also considered operators of two-wheeled vehicles when passing new safety laws: It's now illegal to ride a bike on a highway, sidewalk or bike path at night without using lights and reflectors.