It’s now illegal for California drivers to even hold their phones while behind the wheel, no matter the reason. The new law is expected to cut down on distracted-driving accidents and deaths, in which eight out of 10 accidents involve inattentive driving, and talking or texting on a mobile phone are the top sources of driver distractions. Last year in California handheld cell phone use contributed to 12 fatal collisions, more than 500 injuries, and nearly 700 property-damage collisions. Managing editor Tami Roleff has more about the new law…
There’s a new reality for morning commuters: no more multitasking behind the wheel. As of this week, it’s now the law that if you use your phone while driving, you may be looking at a $160 fine. That means no texting, no calls, and no social media updates when you’re behind the wheel. Chris Cochran, with California’s Office of Traffic Safety, says this initiative is aimed at keeping drivers’ hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, rather than on their smartphones.
“It pretty much outlaws anything that would require you to hold the cell phone or other device in your hand, or has you typing away at it with your fingers, or that type of thing.”
For drivers who bristle at this inconvenience, Cochran points out that phones mounted on the dashboard are still allowed.
Cochran says eight out of 10 accidents involve inattentive driving, and talking or texting on a mobile phone are the top sources of driver distractions. And while it takes some discipline in this hyper-connected world to not pick up that incoming call, he says very often, those “urgent” messages can wait.
“Most everything that is coming over those smartphones is not something that has to be reacted to while you’re driving, or this minute – or even in the next five or ten minutes.”
He says the window for avoiding an accident could be as small as two seconds – and nationwide, 3,000 people die a year from driver-related distractions.
ANY DRIVERS’ HANDHELD CELLPHONE USE IS NOW ILLEGAL
