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Ridiculous: California’s New Cell Phone Law

Paris can't hold the cell phone to her ear, but she can still send text messages

California has banned talking on hand-held cell phones while driving. The first time you’re caught, you have to pay $20. Penalties escalate to $50 for subsequent violations.

Whoever came up with this law should be run out of Sacramento on a rail.

First, it completely ignores the fact that drivers are just as distracted while using a hands-free device as they are while holding a cell phone. It’s not the act of holding a cell phone that’s dangerous, it’s the distraction in the driver’s brain due to the conversation he’s engaged in. Study after academic study has conclusively proven this point.

Second, the law doesn’t ban text messaging while driving. This is really quite amazing. Sure, the California Highway Patrol can cite drivers for “negligence” under existing laws. But there’s no specific ban on what is essentially the typing and sending of email messages while operating a moving vehicle.

In other words, this stupid law will not make California drivers any safer. In fact, it could very well make them less safe, since many of these idiots will now assume that using a hand-free device or texting while driving isn’t dangerous. My prediction is that motorist deaths in California will increase over the coming years.

If you’re going to restrict cell phone use, ban the stupid things altogether while driving.