Wireless and the Law: June 2008 Archives
Remember what happens on July 1 in California.
For more information go to the CA Department of Motor Vehicles.
Your hands free device doesn't have to be Bluetooth, you can buy a cheap headset or get one for free. Until you get your hands free device just turn off the phone for now.
- Drivers under the age of 18 may not use a wireless telephone, pager, laptop or any other electronic communication or mobile services device to speak or text while driving in any manner, even "hands-free." EXCEPTION: Permitted in emergency situations to call police, fire or medical authorities (VC §23124).
- Drivers 18 and over will be allowed to use a "hands-free" device to talk on their wireless telephone while driving.
- The new law does not prohibit dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while driving. You can use a Bluetooth earpiece however you cannot have BOTH ears covered.
- The law does not specifically prohibit texting by adults, but an officer can pull over and issue a citation to a driver of any age if, in the officer's opinion, the driver was distracted and not operating the vehicle safely. Sending text messages while driving is unsafe at any speed and is strongly discouraged.
- The base fine for the FIRST offense is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions. With the addition of penalty assessments, the fines can be more than triple the base fine amount.
- The violation is a reportable offense, however, DMV will not assign a violation point.
For more information go to the CA Department of Motor Vehicles.
Your hands free device doesn't have to be Bluetooth, you can buy a cheap headset or get one for free. Until you get your hands free device just turn off the phone for now.
If you are worried about the impending enforcement of hands free laws starting July 1, you can get a free compatible headset and just pay for shipping charges form FreeHeadset.org, offering free headsets to California drivers.
The FreeHeadset.org organization is a nationwide safe driving campaign which was founded in 2003. Since inception, the organization has distributed over 200,000 headsets to drivers across North America, and continues to ship thousands of headsets per month. The program provides motorists with a free hands-free headset for their cell phone. Participants only pay $3.94 to cover shipping costs.
"Many states have passed various laws that require the use of a hands-free device while driving, however these laws fail to provide any sort of assistance program to distribute the headsets required for compliance", said Matt MacAdams, Founder of FreeHeadset.org, . "Using a headset is an important safety issue that often gets overlooked. Our goal is to encourage people to use headsets by making it simple, affordable and convenient to obtain them. We would like to welcome all California motorists to visit our website to obtain a free headset for their cell phone."
The FreeHeadset.org organization is a nationwide safe driving campaign which was founded in 2003. Since inception, the organization has distributed over 200,000 headsets to drivers across North America, and continues to ship thousands of headsets per month. The program provides motorists with a free hands-free headset for their cell phone. Participants only pay $3.94 to cover shipping costs.
"Many states have passed various laws that require the use of a hands-free device while driving, however these laws fail to provide any sort of assistance program to distribute the headsets required for compliance", said Matt MacAdams, Founder of FreeHeadset.org, . "Using a headset is an important safety issue that often gets overlooked. Our goal is to encourage people to use headsets by making it simple, affordable and convenient to obtain them. We would like to welcome all California motorists to visit our website to obtain a free headset for their cell phone."
