Hang up and drive: State, city work to corral distractions while driving
Share this pagePicture this scenario: You’re driving along and suddenly you remember that important phone call you promised to make or that crucial piece of information you have to text to someone right now. You tell yourself it will only take a couple of minutes, so you’re tempted to pick up your cell phone from the passenger seat and quickly dial a number or send a text. What should you do? Your decision could be a matter life or death. [...]
“I’m encouraged that the issue is gaining attention,” said California Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), who authored the hands-free bill, introduced the legislation in 2001, worked for its passage in the Legislature and saw it pass into law several years later.
California Senate Bill (SB) 1613, signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006, dictates that, effective July 1, 2008, California drivers are prohibited from using handheld, wireless phones while driving, except in an emergency. In addition, the Wireless Communications Device Law, effective Jan. 1, 2009, prohibits California motorists from writing, sending or reading text-based communication on an electronic wireless communication device, such as a cell phone, while driving a motor vehicle.
Read the full article on the Los Altos Town Crier website