Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday signed into law a measure banning motorists from text messaging and e-mailing while operating a vehicle.
The law, written by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, takes effect Jan. 1.
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“Building on legislation already helping save lives in California, I am happy to sign this bill because it further encourages safe and responsible driving,” Schwarzenegger said in a statement. “Banning electronic text messaging while driving will keep drivers’ hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road, making our roadways a safer place for all Californians.”
Drivers caught using their phones to write, read or send messages will be hit with a $20 ticket the first time and $50 on each subsequent offense. The penalty is a base fine, which is uniform across the state, but does not include the fees added by local municipalities.
Simitian also is the author of the law that requires motorists to use hands-free devices if they chat on the phone while driving. That law went into effect July 1.
He intended to ban texting shortly before the Legislature approved the hands-free law in 2006, but decided against including the provision in order to improve the hands-free bill’s chances of passage.
[tags]california cell phone bill, california text bill, governor text bill, cell phone text bill[/tags]