Calif. Bans Texting While Driving
Sep 25, 2008
California has once again cracked down on the use of mobile devices while driving, becoming the latest state to ban texting while driving (joining Washington, Alaska, Louisiana, Minnesota and New Jersey).
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the legislation yesterday and the new law is set to go into effect on January 1, 2009. According to the Los Angeles Times, the penalty for using text-messaging devices while driving will be a fine -- $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent violations. By comparison, Washington, which was the first state to pass such a law, imposes a $125 fine against drivers who are caught texting while driving.
The bill's passage follows the recent decision by the California Public Utilities Commission to prohibit some railroad workers from using mobile devices on the job after the massive train collision in Southern California that killed 25 people. Other municipalties also place restrictions on the use of mobile devices by bus operators and cab drivers.
Tags:
Arnold Schwarzenegger, California, cellphone, mobile devices, Texting
