No Texting, Email, IM or MMS While Driving Law in California Starts January 1, 2009

By Editor Wireless and Mobile News on December 28, 2008 11:58 AM

It's dangerous to text, talk or do anything with a wireless phone while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has determined that driver inattention is a primary or contributing factor in as many as 25 percent of all police-reported traffic collisions and thousands of collisions that aren't reported to the authorities.

Beginning January 1, 2009, texting while driving will be illegal in the state of California.

The fine in California for texting while driving is $20 with added court costs and fees upping the total to be paid to reach as much as $90 depending on the county. The law also covers email and other electronic devices.

From the CA Department of Motor Vehicles Website:

Starting January 1, 2009 , writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication while driving will be against the law for all drivers in California.

This new law applies to electronic wireless communications devices used to manually communicate with any person using text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail.

Violating this law is punishable by a base fine of $20 for a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. With the addition of penalty assessments, fines can be more than triple the base fine amount.

Texting is already banned in six other states and the District of Columbia.

17 states have laws banning "novice drivers" (usually those under a certain age or with less than a full driver license) from using a phone while behind the wheel.