News Room: AB 911: Hands-Free Cell Phone Requirement for CA Drivers

When my common-sense cell phone safety bill died in committee recently, Chronicle columnist Mark Simon good-naturedly observed that, "The unrelenting march of governmental intrusion into our private lives has been dealt a setback." Simon was talking about Assembly Bill 911, which I introduced last year. The bill would simply have required drivers who choose to use a cell phone to do so "hands free." I introduced AB 911 because I knew it would save lives; and because I thought most Peninsula residents would support a sensible, safe and sane approach like the one I proposed and New York state recently adopted. read more ...

Sacramento – Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Assembly Bill 911, requiring the use of hands free technology by motorists who talk on cell phones while driving, will be reconsidered by the Assembly Transportation Committee on Monday, January 14, 2001. The bill failed to win Committee approval when it was first considered in April 2001, coming up one vote short of the 10 votes required in the 19-member Committee. read more ...

There are 25 million cars and trucks in California, and 11 million cell phones. It’s a potentially deadly mix, but there’s a ready solution, if only we’d take action. Assembly Bill 911 would require California drivers who choose to use a cell phone to do so “hands-free”. It’s as simple as that. Keep using the phone if you like; just use any of the readily available technology which allows you to keep both hands on the wheel. I introduced this bill because I know it will save lives. And I believe most Californians support a sensible, safe and sane approach like the one I’ve proposed and New York just adopted. read more ...

Sacramento – Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today he has introduced a resolution proclaiming May 21 – 27 California Wireless Safety Week. National Wireless Safety Week sponsored by the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) was established in 1995 to remind wireless phone customers that safety is their most important call, and to provide information consumers need to use their wireless phones responsibly. read more ...