Is this you? or do you see this a lot?

Okay so on July 1st LOTS of shit is going down with the California Highway Patrol and your cell phone.

Let’s assume you are over 18.

Here are the rules:

This new law PROHIBITS ALL DRIVERS FROM USING HANDHELD WIRELESS TELEPHONES while operating a motor vehicle.

So how the hell do we get anything done while sitting on the 405? (aka four or five hours).

HANDS FREE PHONES:

- To deal with this new law and still be able to talk while driving, simply get a headset or earphones that have a microphone so you are hands free. Note that although our iPhone’s have awesome headphones(when they are brand new), you can only have one ear in while driving. Otherwise you can still receive a citation.

WHAT IF YOU ARE UNDER 18?

Well you will at some point turn 18, until then NO CELLPHONE FOR YOU WHILE DRIVING PERIOD UNLESS YOU ARE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

- so, not until you are very experienced in doing all the other million things drivers do while driving will you then graduate to also operating an external communication device – uh, your cell phone.

Are you guilty of it?

I know that if traffic is stopped dead I will often e-mail clients from my iPhone. Sorry but I’m not even moving, why not get some work done? I’ve learned how to dial without looking on my phone and use an earpiece so I can drive with both hands..but my earpiece is the iphone headphones. this isn’t so bad I guess, but I like having both ears in. Now I will have to drop the left one out after July 1st, should get used to it now. I don’t want to talk to the police at the side of the road because I was on a phone call. I feel I have the technical skill to pull this off without letting it distract me. I also feel there are a lot of others who could too…but the general public and some stupid people who will be confused by their cheap cell phone’s interfaces will undoubtedly be puzzled staring at their phones (which they have not read manuals for) and look up to hit the car in front of them who has stopped suddenly due to perhaps being on a phone them selves or maybe an animal ran out in front of them, who knows.

- I kind of agree with this anyways. When I first started driving we didn’t have cell phones so I don’t know how hard it is to learn when less focused on the task, but it wasn’t super easy to learn to drive (Now when I write this I mean drive properly, like understanding rear-end collision avoidance, escape routes, braking distance / out driving your headlights, etc.) so I can understand the reason for not allowing new drivers to use phones at all. They can be extremely distracting which could prove fatal.

^ OUCH ^

SOME FAQS from the California Highway Patrol (CHP)

Q: so when do the new laws take effect?

A: July 1st 2008

Q: What is the difference between the two laws?

A: The first law prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle. Motorists 18+ may use a hands-free device. Drivers under 18 may NOT use a wireless telephone even if it is hands-free while driving.

Q: So what happens if I need to use my telephone during an emergency, and I do not have a hands free device?

A: (Get one!) – Seriously though, the law allows a driver to use a wireless telephone to make emergency calls to a law enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department, or other emergency services agency.

Q: What if I get caught?

A: The base fine for the INITIAL offense is $20, then followed by $50 for convictions after that. The Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule states that with the addition of penalty assessments, a first offense is $76, subsequent convictions are $190.

Q: Do I lose points on my driver’s license for this?

A: NO – The violation is a “Reportable Offense” however the DMV will not assign a violation point.

Q: Does this appear on my driving record?

A: YES, but again, no points are added.

Q: Is there any grace period when only warnings are issued?

A: NO. As of July 1st the law becomes in effect. Everything will be at the discretion of the officer who pulls you over. They CAN TICKET YOU for dialing while driving even if you have one ear in and one out. Be fucking careful.

Q: Are passengers affected?

A: NO. This only applies to the person driving.

Q:Do these laws apply to out-of-state drivers whose home states do NOT have such laws?

A: Hell Yes.

Q: Can I be pulled over by a police officer for using my handheld wireless telephone?

A: YES, you can be pulled over just for this infraction.

Q: What if my phone has a push-to-talk feature, can I use that?

A: If you are one of those annoying people it still doesn’t matter and YES you can be pulled over. EXCEPTIONS: Those operating commercial motor trucks, or truck tractors (excluding pickups obviously), implements of husbandry, farm vehicle or tow trucks can use a push-to-talk featured phone.

Q: What other exceptions are there then?

A: If you drive an authorized emergency vehicle and are working or if you are on private property.

MORE Q & A for Drivers over 18.

- This is more info about the ‘hands-free’ part.

Q: Does the new “hands-free” law prohibit you from dialing a wireless telephone while driving or just talking on it?

A: This is where they can really fuck you. The new law does NOT prohibit dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while driving. – because it is the ‘Officer’s opinion’ of whether or not you are distracted, they can still give you a ticket if you swerve or something while calling up your ex to get your fish tank back.

Q: Will it be legal to use a stupid looking blue tooth earpiece?

A: That’s fine provided you have one free ear. If you have BOTH ears covered you can get a ticket. Hence for the iPhone – you’ll have to pop out one earphone.

Q: Can I use a speaker phone function instead?

A: YES

Q: Does this law allow drivers 18 and over to text message while driving?

A: The law does not specifically prohibit that, HOWEVER an officer can pull you over and issue a citation if in their OPINION you were distracted and not operating the vehicle safely. I agree with this statement: Text paging while driving is unsafe at any speed and is strongly discourage. But I still do it.

There’s more to the under 18 stuff – such as can I use the phone if I am with someone over 18? – the answer to all those stupid questions is NO. if you are under 18 you can’t use a phone, period. I’m not sure how the hell they are supposed to know how old everyone is. I guess if I look young or if I’m wearing a hat they’ll likely use that excuse ‘you look under 18′ just to harass me. ya. I’m 18! hahaha

Go Lakers