SB 1475: Cell Phones and Texting While Driving (2010)

Summary

Senate Bill 1475 would strengthen the state’s hands-free and anti-texting laws for motorists.  The bill would:

• Increase the fine for a first hands-free or texting offense to $50, and to $100 for a subsequent offenses.
• Provide that repeat violations of the hands-free law will add a “point” on motorists’ driving records,
• Use a portion of the increased fine revenue to provide for a public awareness program; and
• Apply the hands-free/no texting law to bicyclists. Cyclists would pay $20 for a first offense and $50 for a second offense, would not be subject to additional ticket fees/penalties, and would not receive a point on their driving record for violations.

Resources:

• Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC): What to Expect from California’s New Hands-Free Law (PDF)

For more information, you can read the SB 1475 "Fact Sheet" prepared by a member of Senator Simitian's staff.

Text and Status

You can find the most recent text and status of SB 1475 on the Legislature's Bill Information site.

News & Press Releases about SB 1475

06/03/2010 - Higher fines proposed for cell phone use while driving in California

06/03/2010 - Senate Passes Simitian Bill to Strengthen Hands-Free and Texting Law

04/06/2010 - State considers tougher cell phone crackdown

04/01/2010 - A Cellphone Fine, Billed as Small, Is No Longer That

03/13/2010 - Would higher fines end the craziness of texting while driving?

02/28/2010 - Interview on cell phone legislation

02/23/2010 - Tougher penalties proposed for hands-free, texting violations

02/22/2010 - Simitian Legislation To Strengthen Hands-Free/Texting Laws

02/22/2010 - Driving Cell Phone Users Could Face Steeper Fines

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	State Senator Joe Simitian represents residents in San Carlos, Redwood City, Menlo Park, Atherton, East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, Stanford, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Cupertino, Campbell, Santa Cruz, Capitola, and a third of San Jose.