As of July 1, 2008, California passed a new vehicle code law that prohibits the use of a cellular phone while operating a motor vehicle. Vehicle Code Section 23123 makes is illegal for all drivers to use a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle. However, motorists 18 years and older may use a hands-free device, such as “Bluetooth.”
Vehicle Code Section 23124 makes it illegal for ANY driver under 18 years old to use ANY wireless telephone or hands-free device. The new law allows any police officer to stop a driver that is in violation of the above-mentioned laws. The new laws do not affect a passenger in a motor vehicle. Regardless of what state you are from, you are still subject to these new laws if you operate a vehicle in California. There are some exceptions to these new laws. First, any operator of an emergency vehicle may use a cell phone during the course of their duties of employment. Motorists are also exempt when operating a vehicle on private property and a driver of a vehicle may use a cell phone at any time to make an emergency call to law enforcement, a medical provider, fire department or other emergency services.
There is currently no law that prohibits text messaging while driving. However, the dangers should seem obvious to any operator of a motor vehicle. Ticket Tutor, CEO, has indicated that searches related to cell phone tickets has increased which is an obvious sign that the new laws are being enforced to increase the safety of those on the road.
Tags: 23123, 23124, bluetooth, cell phone, cell phone law, Illegal, new law, traffic ticket, vehicle code, wireless
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 at 7:34 am and is filed under Cell Phones.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.
