Governator Bans Teens from Phoning While Driving

Californian teens: You have only nine and a half months left to endanger others through multitasking. On July 1st, 2008, the new Teen Drivers Cellphone Safety Bill comes into force. The bill, signed Friday by Governor Schwarzenegger, will impose fines on any kids using electronic communications devices while driving.

First offenders will be hit with a $20 fine, which then increases to $50 for subsequent infractions. The law comes into force the same day as another law which mandates that adults must use hands-free devices to make calls while driving, but the Governator said at a press conference that teens are a special case:

The simple fact is that teenage drivers are more easily distracted. They are young, inexperienced and have a slower reaction time.

The new laws do not apply in case of emergency. In this case, emergency is defined as:

including, but not limited to, an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services agency or entity.

Also exempt are emergency workers on the job, farmers, people using 2-way, push-to-talk radios, and school bus drivers. Presumably included, though, is the use of a shotgun whilst engaged in a motorbike chase.

The law seems to be catching up with tech in this case. The UK has had a phoning-whilst-driving ban in place for years now, and recently upped the sentences for killing people while doing it. But legislation alone might not be the answer. Until in-car phone use becomes a social taboo, it'll be impossible to police. If you are texting with the phone out of site, how will you get caught?

Bill documents [California Government]

Press release [California Government]