Cell Phone Law, Two Years Later

August 2010

It’s been two years since California’s hands-free cell phone law took effect. Has the law been effective at preventing the use of cell phones while driving? 

According to the California Highway Patrol, statistics show too many motorists are not obeying the law.

 “Many people were accustomed to using cell phones while driving before the law took effect, and it may be difficult for some people to change this practice,” Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “However, we all need to try hard to obey this law since driving is a complex task, requiring a motorist’s full attention. Even a moment of inattention can have disastrous consequences for a driver and those around them.”

According to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) data, since the inception of the hands-free law, there have been more than 1,200 collisions throughout the state where cell phone usage was a contributing factor. Those collisions resulted in 16 fatalities and more than 850 victims injured.

The law took effect July 1, 2008. It prohibits the use of handheld cell phones by all motorists. It also bans anyone under the age of 18 from using any type of cell phone -- handheld or hands free -- while driving. Six months later, a ban on text messaging by drivers was put into effect.

Since the law’s inception, CHP officers have issued more than 244,000 citations statewide to motorists who were in violation of the hands-free law. “Too many motorists have been injured or died because of inattention while driving,” Commissioner Farrow noted. “Drivers need to put down the phone and focus on driving; otherwise it may cost you your life, or the life of your loved ones.”

Cell phone violations carry a minimum base fine of $20 for the first offense and $50 for the second. When court costs and other fees are added to the fines, the total cost of the violation quickly exceeds $100 for the first offense.